ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity 2026

🧬 About ICGEB Fellowships

The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) offers short-term fellowships to early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries. These fellowships focus on training in biosecurity, life sciences, and biotechnology, emphasizing applied skills critical to human, animal, and plant health, including detection and response to biological threats.

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

• Co-funding: Provided by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the BWC ISU.
• Duration:
  • 2 months, extendable up to 6 months under a co-funding mechanism.
• Monthly stipend:
  • Trieste (Italy): €1,500
  • New Delhi (India): $1,122
  • Cape Town (South Africa): ZAR 16,500
  • Taizhou (China): $1,500
• Travel expenses: Includes provision for travel from the participant’s home country to the host lab and return travel upon completion.
• Medical health insurance: Coverage for the duration of the fellowship.
• Visa/permit costs: Application and renewal costs are reimbursed.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Applicants must belong to ICGEB Member States or DAC-listed ODA countries.
• Career stage: Early or mid-career scientists in biotechnology.
• Preference: Women scientists are encouraged to apply.
• Degree requirements:
  • Trieste and Cape Town: BSc (Honours)
  • New Delhi: MSc
  • Taizhou (China): MSc or equivalent
• Language requirement: Good working knowledge of English (certificate required if not previously studied in English).

📝 Application Process

1. Identify Host Laboratory

• Contact an ICGEB Group Leader or Principal Investigator in the target lab.
• Obtain a written statement confirming willingness to host the project.

2. Prepare Application

Include the following documents:

• Full CV of the applicant.
• Written statement from the host Group Leader.
• Valid identification document.
• English language proficiency certificate (if required).
• For Taizhou, include the full CV of the Head of the Receiving Laboratory with a publication list.

3. Submit Online

• Use the ICGEB online application portal.
• Only one application per candidate per call is accepted.
• Ensure home and receiving laboratory details are confirmed by both parties before the deadline.

4. Selection Process

• Applications are evaluated by the ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee based on:
  • Scientific excellence
  • Candidate’s CV
  • Project relevance
  • Benefit to the home country
• Notification is sent via email (individual feedback is not provided).

📅 Application Deadline

31 March, 2026

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the fellowship on the ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity page.
• Apply directly via the ICGEB Fellowship Application Portal.

• Fellowships are co-funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the BWC ISU.
• Duration: 2 months (which may be extended up to a maximum of 6 months under a co-funding mechanism).
• Monthly stipend: Trieste (Italy): Euro 1,500, New Delhi (India): US$ 1,122, Cape Town (South Africa): ZAR 16,500, Taizhou (China): US$ 1,500.
• Travel: the fellowship includes provision for travel expenses from the participant’s home country to the host lab at the beginning of the fellowship and a return travel provision upon completion of the fellowship.
• Medical health insurance coverage is provided for the duration of the fellowship.
• Visa/permit of stay application and renewal costs are reimbursed.