The IBSA Foundation for scientific research offers seven fellowships to promote and support young and talented researchers engaged in scientific endeavors.

Overview

The fellowship supports research in several specialized fields, including:

• dermatology
• endocrinology
• fertility/urology
• orthopaedics/rheumatology/pain medicine
• healthy ageing/regenerative medicine

Additionally, the IBSA Foundation Research Equity Prize provides a €5,000 award for the best scientific project developed within a laboratory, research institute, or university located in a developing country. This special award aims to promote equity in research access by recognizing emerging scientific excellence in resource-limited contexts and strengthening international scientific dialogue.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must be under 40 years old on the deadline for proposal submission.
• Must possess a degree in medicine, biology, pharmacy, biotechnology, or bioengineering.
• The opportunity is open to PhD students, PhD candidates, Post-Docs, and residents. Permanent positions, such as Professors, are ineligible to apply.
• Applicants of any nationality are eligible.

For the entire duration of the grant, applicants must be actively affiliated with a Host Institution. This institution must be a research organization (such as universities, hospitals, or other research centers), regardless of its legal status (public or private), whose primary goal is to independently conduct non-economic biomedical research and disseminate its results.

For the Research Equity Prize, eligible countries are listed on the United Nations website and include: Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia excluding Israel, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and Oceania excluding Australia and New Zealand.

Funding and Benefits

The Fellowship amount, before taxes and duties, covers funding for salary and mobility costs and is intended to cover the cost of living for 12 months. The fellowship amount may be combined with other awards to increase the salary.

The IBSA Foundation Research Equity Prize amount will be paid in a single installment before the start of the project.

Note: Bench fees, overheads, funds for consumables, or any other financial benefits for the host supervisor or the receiving institute are not covered.

Application Process

Proposals must be submitted via the dedicated online application system. Applicants are required to submit the following documents as separate files:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. List of best peer-reviewed scientific publications (minimum of 1, maximum of 3)
3. Cover letter providing a short self-presentation

Deadline: Proposals must be submitted no later than the 31st of January 2027.

The selection process involves evaluation by the Scientific Board of IBSA Foundation through a peer review process. Evaluation criteria include:

• Quality of the project to be developed in the host laboratory (assessed on Feasibility, Originality, and Scientific value).
• The candidate's CV, with particular emphasis on research experience.
• The appropriateness of the host laboratory for the proposed research.

Deadline and Timeline

Applications must be submitted by the 31st of January 2027.

Award decisions are communicated to applicants, typically within three months from the deadline. The award is assigned only after the presentation of an acceptance letter from the Host Institution to the IBSA Foundation within one week of communication.

The Awards Ceremony is scheduled for spring 2027; the exact date, venue, and modality will be confirmed when results are announced.

Payment Instalments

The Fellowship will be paid in two installments directly to the bank account (IBAN) indicated by the candidate. A first installment of 50% will be paid before the project start date, and the second installment of 50% will be paid by the end of 2027. Written confirmation of the start date by the host supervisor is mandatory.

Projects must commence by 2027, and fellowship holders cannot postpone the start date to the following year.