ICGEB SMART Fellowships 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
If you're an early-career researcher from an ICGEB Member State eager to broaden your scientific training and build international collaborations, the ICGEB SMART Fellowship 2025 is now open for applications! This programme funds 3–9 month research visits to another ICGEB Member lab, offering hands-on experience in cutting-edge life sciences techniques and strengthening cross-border partnerships. It’s your gateway to career growth, acquiring new skills, and contributing meaningfully to your home and host institutions.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Any ICGEB Member State (excluding visits to labs in Italy, India or South Africa unless no equivalent exists there)
Host institution: Laboratories within ICGEB Member States
Level: MSc, PhD, or PhD graduates within 5 years (early career)
Target group: Life‑sciences researchers at early career stage (MSc–early post‑PhD)
Fields of study: All areas of Life Sciences
Value & coverage:
Stipend: US $800–1,500/month, according to location and applicant seniority
Bench fee: Up to US $500/month to host lab
Other coverage: Economy travel (round‑trip), health insurance
Award duration: 3–9 months
Application deadline: 30 September 2025
Start date: From September 2025, following selection timelines
Eligible to: Nationals of ICGEB Member States; researchers registered for PhD, within 5 years post‑PhD, or MSc holders in early career stage
🌐 Fellowship Overview
The SMART (Scientific Mobility for Advanced Research Training) Fellowship fosters researcher mobility across ICGEB Member States. Its key aim is to enhance:
Research skills: Through hands-on training in advanced technologies not available at the home lab
Scientific collaboration: By forming lasting partnerships and developing joint research projects
Career trajectories: By enriching the fellow’s professional development through international exposure
The programme requires close coordination between home and host lab supervisors in preparing the project, with clear evidence of mutual commitment .
🎁 Benefits
Financial support:
Monthly stipend (US $800–1,500)
Up to US $500/month bench fee transferred to host lab
Economy return travel and health insurance
Professional development: Immersive training in state-of-the-art lab settings
Institutional support: Host labs often provide additional perks like guest-house accommodation or partial living expense subsidies
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be nationals of an ICGEB Member State
Be early-stage scientists:
MSc holders or PhD candidates
PhD graduates from within the last 5 years
Be actively employed in a research institution
Plan to undertake a 3–9 month research stay in another Member State, not their own
Preferably be early-career researchers (though no age limit applies)
Note: Labs in Italy, India, and South Africa are excluded unless no equivalent ICGEB lab exists, in which case apply via Arturo Falaschi Short-Term Fellowships .
📄 Application Procedure & Documents
Online application via the ICGEB portal
Upload the following PDFs:
Your full CV
CV of host lab supervisor + publications list
Passport or ID (valid for at least 12 months)
Complete and submit one application per call
Include home and host lab details—both supervisors must confirm the application by deadline
Notifications (acceptance/rejection) will be sent by email, typically several weeks post-deadline
🧭 Selection
The ICGEB Fellowships Committee evaluates based on:
Scientific excellence of the proposal
Candidate’s CV and potential for career growth
Benefits to both home and host institutions
Host lab expertise and capacity
Additional support from host lab enhances chances (e.g., housing, cost-sharing)
🧾 Project Implementation
Funds disbursement:
Monthly stipend directly to fellow’s bank account
Bench fee to host lab, strictly for consumables; unspent funds returned to ICGEB
Consumables covered: General labware, reagents, cell culture supplies, PCR consumables, etc.
Excluded expenses: Equipment, furniture, software, administrative charges, travel, literature, overheads
Final deliverables:
Scientific report (co-authored with host supervisor)
Financial statement detailing bench fee expenditures, signed by host institute
🔍 Extra Notes
Only one application per candidate per call is allowed
Host and home lab endorsement is mandatory prior to deadline
The bench fee is disbursed only after the fellow joins the host lab and is strictly tied to approved research activities
📬 How to Apply
Visit the ICGEB fellowships portal
Register/Login → Fill form → Upload required documents → Add supervisor details → Submit
Ensure timely lab confirmations before closing date
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