The FEBS Short-Term Fellowship 2026 is a funded scientific research fellowship offered by the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS), enabling early-career researchers to undertake short visits of up to two – or in exceptional cases three – months to laboratories in different FEBS member countries for scientific collaboration, advanced training, or access to techniques unavailable at their home institution. The fellowship provides a daily subsistence allowance of €100 and travel reimbursement of up to €300. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a minimum three-month lead time before the proposed start date.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Funded Short-Term Scientific Research Fellowship |
| Organising Body | Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) |
| Mode | Offline (Laboratory-based in host FEBS country) |
| Duration | Up to 2 months (up to 3 months in exceptional cases) |
| Location | Any FEBS member country laboratory (different from home country) |
| Last Date to Apply | Rolling – minimum 3 months before proposed start date |
About the Program
The FEBS Short-Term Fellowship 2026 is part of FEBS’s longstanding commitment to advancing biochemistry and molecular biology across Europe and associated regions by facilitating cross-border scientific exchange between member country laboratories. The fellowship is specifically designed to support early-career scientists — including active PhD students and recent doctoral graduates — in accessing specialised research environments, techniques, and collaborative opportunities unavailable at their home institutions. Consequently, selected fellows gain substantive hands-on experience in internationally recognised laboratories while strengthening scientific ties between FEBS Constituent Society member nations. Furthermore, FEBS aims to notify candidates of its decision within one month of application submission, making this one of the more responsive fellowship programs available to early-career biochemical researchers in the European scientific community.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Must be a scientist who either holds a Ph.D. awarded within the past six years with a well-recognised publication track record, or is currently enrolled as a Ph.D. student with at least one published paper as a main author (highly recommended)
- Research must fall within the scope of biochemistry and molecular biology
- Applications must be completed in English
- Duly justified career breaks including parental leave may be considered in eligibility assessment
Experience & Other Conditions
- Must be a member of a FEBS Constituent Society and currently working in a laboratory in a FEBS member country
- Must be applying to work in a laboratory in a different FEBS country from their home institution
- Candidates already in place at the proposed host laboratory at the time of application are not eligible
- Only one application from any given home lab will be considered within a six-month period
- Only one application per host lab will be funded within a six-month period
- A minimum of two years must elapse before a second FEBS Short-Term Fellowship award can be considered
- The fellowship is not awarded for attendance at courses, symposia, meetings, or congresses
Benefits & Funding
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Daily Subsistence Allowance | €100 per day for the full fellowship duration |
| Travel Costs | Second-class rail fare or economy flight between home and host laboratory, up to a maximum of €300 |
| Dependent Expenses | Not covered — fellowship supports the fellow only |
| Duration | Up to 2 months; up to 3 months in exceptional cases |
Topics / Themes Covered
- Scientific collaboration between researchers across FEBS member country laboratories
- Advanced training in techniques and methodologies unavailable at the applicant’s home institution
- Cross-border research exchange in biochemistry and molecular biology
- Laboratory-based research projects within the scope of FEBS’s scientific mandate
Selection Process
- Application registered and submitted online via the official FEBS Short-Term Fellowship 2026 portal
- Application must be submitted at least three months before the proposed start date
- A letter of support from an experienced scientist — on institutional letterhead and not affiliated with the host laboratory — must be received before the application can be submitted
- FEBS aims to notify candidates of its decision within one month of submission
- The fellowship must be taken up within six months of its award; any delay requires written authorisation from the Chairperson of the FEBS Excellence Awards and Fellowships Committee
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted under any circumstances
How to Apply
- Register on the official FEBS Short-Term Fellowship 2026 application portal at fellowships.febs.org as early as possible to save and edit your application before submission.
- Complete the online application form in English, ensuring all sections are fully and accurately completed.
- Identify an experienced scientist — acquainted with your work and not affiliated with the host institution — who has agreed to submit a letter of support on institutional letterhead through the fellowship website; PhD students are encouraged to ask their supervisor.
- Ensure the referee’s letter of support is submitted through the portal before finalising your application, as the application cannot be submitted without it.
- Submit your completed application at least three months before your proposed start date; note that proposed visits must not overlap with the period from 22 December to 3 January.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| All Applicants | No application fee stated |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Window | Rolling — open throughout 2026 |
| Submission Lead Time | Minimum 3 months before proposed start date |
| Decision Notification | Within 1 month of application submission |
| Fellowship Commencement | Within 6 months of award |
| Excluded Period | 22 December – 3 January (proposed visits must not overlap) |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the FEBS Short-Term Fellowship 2026?
Scientists who hold a Ph.D. awarded within the past six years with a strong publication record, or currently enrolled Ph.D. students with at least one main-author publication, who are members of a FEBS Constituent Society and seeking to work in a laboratory in a different FEBS country, are eligible to apply.
What does the FEBS Short-Term Fellowship 2026 cover financially?
The fellowship provides a daily subsistence allowance of €100 and travel reimbursement of up to €300 for a second-class rail or economy flight between the fellow’s home and host laboratory; expenses for dependants are not covered.
How far in advance must applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted at least three months before the proposed fellowship start date; additionally, proposed visits must not overlap with the period from 22 December to 3 January.
Can the same researcher apply for a second FEBS Short-Term Fellowship?
Yes – however, a minimum of two years must elapse between the completion of a first FEBS Short-Term Fellowship and the submission of an application for a second award.
How long does it take to receive a decision on a FEBS Short-Term Fellowship application?
FEBS aims to notify applicants of the outcome within one month of application submission; the fellowship must subsequently be taken up within six months of the award date.