Are you a scientist in your early career who is prepared to begin a postdoctoral research career in Europe or abroad? This is your chance: international scholars looking to advance their careers through mobility, top-notch research, and international networking can now apply for the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025.
What are postdoctoral fellowships offered by EMBO?
These esteemed fellowships, which are provided by the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), provide up to two years of support to postdoctoral researchers who are internationally mobile. Fellows are employed in top labs in EMBO global partner nations such as Taiwan, Singapore, India, and Chile, or in EMBC member states. The program is available to exceptional life scientists who want to conduct independent, innovative research overseas.
EMBO Fellowship Benefits
Whether you’re based in Europe or beyond, EMBO ensures a competitive support package to help you focus on what matters: your research.
- Contract/Salary or Stipend (based on host country)
- Travel and Relocation Allowance
- Childcare and Dependent Child Allowance (for non-EMBC fellows)
- EMBO Laboratory Leadership Courses
- Access to EMBO Fellows’ Global Network
- Parental Leave and Part-Time Work Flexibility
- Fellowships in non-EMBC states include full stipends, childcare support, and course access
Who Can Apply? — Eligibility Highlights
To apply for this highly competitive opportunity, make sure you meet the following key criteria:
| Eligibility Factor | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PhD Status | Hold a doctorate by the fellowship start date; must have received a a PhD within the last two years of applying. |
| Research Publication | At least one first-author research article in a peer-reviewed journal or a refereed preprint with verifiable peer reviews. |
| Mobility Rule | It must involve moving to a different country from where you earned your PhD. |
| No Return Rule | Applications returning to the PhD lab or former host lab (worked at >6 months) are not eligible. |
| Project Continuation | Fellowship projects must not be a direct continuation of your PhD thesis. |
| Start in Host Lab | If already working at the host lab, the duration must be less than six months at the time of submission. |
| One Application per Round | Only one application per person per round is allowed. Reapplication is permitted only once. |
| Exceptional Circumstances | Parental leave, illness, and military service may qualify for eligibility extensions. Contact the Fellowship Office in advance. |
Deadline:
Applications for the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, giving candidates the flexibility to apply when ready. However, applications are reviewed in cycles, and the next hard deadline for submission is Friday, 11 July 2025, at 14:00 CEST. All complete applications submitted by this date will be considered for evaluation in the upcoming review round. From 2026 onwards, the spring evaluation round deadline will shift to the fourth Friday of January at 14:00 CET.
