If you are interested in pursuing postdoctoral research abroad, then this article is for you. Here, we will provide detailed information about the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellowships, including the benefits they offer and a step-by-step application process.
The Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships for the 2023-2024 term are fully funded scholarships available to international students. Recipients of the HFSP Fellowships will receive a living allowance, as well as allowances for research and travel expenses. Depending on their circumstances, fellows may also be eligible for a child allowance, parental leave allowance, and relocation allowance.
The HFSP fellowship program aims to support groundbreaking research in the life sciences, emphasizing projects that have the potential to bring about transformative advancements. Applications for high-risk projects are particularly encouraged. The proposed research should be interdisciplinary in nature, challenging existing paradigms by employing innovative approaches and techniques. From a scientific perspective, the projects should address significant problems or barriers to progress within the field
The HFSP postdoctoral fellowships promote the professional development of early-career scientists by encouraging them to expand their research expertise and explore new areas of study while working in a different country.
There are two distinct types of fellowships available:
Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) are for applicants with a Ph.D. in a biological discipline, who will broaden their expertise by proposing a project in the life sciences that is significantly different from their previous Ph.D. or postdoctoral work.
Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) are for applicants with a Ph.D. from outside the life sciences (e.g. in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or computer sciences).
SUMMARY OF THE SCHOLARSHIP:
Opportunity Focus Areas: Life sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, or Computer sciences
Deadline:
- Initiation of a Letter of Intent: March 15, 2023, by 1 PM (Eastern Time US)
- The registration portal opens in April.
- Submission of a Letter of Intent: May 11, 2023, by 1 PM (Eastern Time US)
- Fellowship applicants will be notified regarding the selection of their Letter of Intent between mid-August and end of August.
- Submission of Full Proposals for invited applicants: September 28, 2023, by 1 PM (Eastern Time US) via ProposalCentral.
Countries where the program is hosted:
The Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships offer recipients a stipend for their living expenses, along with allowances for research and travel. Depending on individual circumstances, fellows may also be eligible for additional allowances such as child support, parental leave, and relocation expenses.
The eligibility requirements for HFSP Fellowships are as follows:
In order to be eligible for the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Language Requirement: Proficiency in English
- Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
- Applicants must propose to conduct their research in a country different from where they completed their previous Ph.D. studies or initial postdoctoral research. For institutions that are not nationally classified, such as international or extraterritorial institutions like EMBL, ICPT, or ICGEB, the country where the laboratory is located will be considered the host country.
- A research doctorate (Ph.D.) or an equivalent doctoral-level degree, with comparable experience in fundamental research (e.g., research-based MD or medical Ph.D.), must be conferred by the start of the fellowship. However, it is not required at the time of submission.
- Applicants must have at least one full-length research paper as the lead author, which is either accepted for publication, in press, or already published, in an international peer-reviewed journal or available on a preprint server.
- Only papers written in English are considered. Review articles and patents are not considered.
- During the application preparation, electronic copies of the lead author publications must be uploaded. It is not possible to upload them after the applicant has submitted the application.
To apply for the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships, please follow the application procedure outlined below:
Please follow the following application instructions to apply for Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships:
(1) Letter of Intent (to be submitted by May 11, 2023)
Applicants submit a ‘Letter of Intent’ (LOI) by clicking here which must contain the following details:
The application for the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships should include the following components:
- Title of proposal
- Keywords for the proposed research plan
- A concise summary of the proposed research plan (which can serve as the abstract for the full application if invited)
- Personal information
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Field and title of the Ph.D. degree
- Details about the proposed host supervisor and host institution
- Declaration of any previous collaborations and publications with the host supervisor (if applicable), along with confirmation that the host supervisor is aware of and supports the application
- Preliminary publication list, which can be updated if necessary.
(2) Letter of Intent will be peer-reviewed and the results communicated as quickly as possible.
(3) Full Application (to be submitted by September 28, 2023).
If you are selected to proceed to the second stage, HFSP will contact you directly.
Complete applications should include the following components:
- Summary of previous work (same as the short summary provided in the Letter of Intent)
- Abstract of the proposed research project (same as the short summary provided in the Letter of Intent)
- Detailed research plan for the proposed project
- Explanation of why and how the proposed project represents a significant departure from previous work
- Explanation of why and how the proposed project is at the forefront of research
- Explanation of why the chosen host lab is a suitable match
- Description of how the applicant will benefit from working in the host lab (e.g., unique facilities, mentoring, exposure to new techniques, etc.)
- Updated list of publications
- Recommendation letters from two referees
- Recommendation letter from the host supervisor, elucidating how the proposed research plan represents a new direction for the host lab and a substantial departure from the applicant’s previous work (during Ph.D. or postdoctoral training). The host supervisor should also explain how and why their lab is well-suited to support HFSP’s objectives and missions, enabling exceptional young researchers to pursue pioneering research projects that will shape their career trajectory. The host supervisor should outline a mentorship plan for the applicant as well.
- PDF files of lead-author publications.
Website
For further information regarding the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships, kindly refer to the official website:
