Human Frontier Science Program: HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships

Fostering Global Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Research in Life Sciences

For more Post-Doctoral Fellowships – Click Here

🧠 Introduction

The 🌍 Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) is one of the world’s most prestigious and innovative postdoctoral funding programs. Established in 1989, HFSP supports early-career scientists pursuing cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in the life sciences.

The HFSP fellowships are especially known for promoting international collaboration and scientific risk-taking, encouraging young scientists to cross disciplinary and national borders to tackle fundamental problems in biology.

HFSP Official Link https://www.hfsp.org/funding/hfsp-funding/postdoctoral-fellowships

🎯 About HFSP Fellowships

The HFSP offers two types of postdoctoral fellowships designed to empower researchers from diverse backgrounds and help them explore novel research questions through international mobility and collaboration.

🧬 1. Long-Term Fellowships (LTF)

For applicants with a PhD in life sciences who want to work in a new country on frontier biological research.

🧪 Designed for researchers with strong backgrounds in biology
🧳 Must move to a different country for the fellowship
🔄 Emphasis on interdisciplinary, transformative research

💡 2. Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF)

For researchers with a PhD in a non-biological discipline (e.g., physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science) who wish to pivot into life science research.

🚀 Encourages high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary projects
🤝 Bridges the gap between physical sciences and biology
📚 Ideal for physicists, engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians entering biology

💰 Fellowship Benefits

Feature	Details
💸 Stipend	Competitive monthly allowance based on host country
🌍 Relocation Allowance	One-time moving allowance for fellows and eligible family
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Dependent Support	Additional family support may be provided
🧪 Research Flexibility	Choose any host institution in a foreign country
⌛ Duration	Up to 3 years (initial 2 years + optional 3rd year)
🌐 Global Networking	Access to HFSP alumni community and events

🌐 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships, applicants must:

✅ Hold a PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant discipline by the start date
✅ Propose a project in basic life sciences research
✅ Move to a different country to conduct their research (international mobility is mandatory)
✅ Apply within 3 years of receiving their PhD
✅ Not have more than 12 months of prior research experience in the host country at the time of application

Important: HFSP does not fund clinical, agricultural, or applied biomedical research. It strictly supports basic biological research.

🌐 Official HFSP Eligibility Page: https://www.hfsp.org/funding/hfsp-funding/postdoctoral-fellowships

📍 Application Process

Applying for HFSP fellowships is a two-stage process:

📘 Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

Brief project summary
Proposed host institution
CV and research background
Letters of reference

📗 Stage 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

Detailed research proposal
Host institute’s support letter
Justification for international mobility
Training and collaboration plans

🌐 Application Guide: https://www.hfsp.org/funding/postdoctoral-fellowships/application-guidelines

📆 Key Deadlines

Process	Tentative Timeline
📬 LOI Submission	May – August
✍️ Full Proposal	September – November
🧪 Selection Review	December – March
🎉 Results Announced	April – May
🚀 Fellowship Begins	August – October (following year)

🌱 Fields of Research

HFSP welcomes research in all fields of basic life sciences, particularly projects that are:

🧠 Interdisciplinary
🌍 Internationally collaborative
🧪 Innovative or high-risk
🔄 Involving a pivot from physical to biological sciences

Example Areas:

Systems Biology
Neuroscience
Evolutionary Genetics
Biophysics
Bioinformatics
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Artificial Intelligence in Life Sciences

🌎 Top Host Institutions

HFSP fellows are hosted by some of the most reputed institutions worldwide, including:

🧬 Harvard University – USA
🧪 EMBL – Germany
🌿 University of Cambridge – UK
🔬 CNRS – France
🧠 RIKEN Institute – Japan
🧫 Weizmann Institute – Israel
🧠 Karolinska Institute – Sweden
🌍 National University of Singapore
💡 University of Toronto – Canada
🧠 Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich)

✅ Why Choose HFSP Fellowship?

🌍 Global and interdisciplinary in scope
💡 Encourages bold, high-risk research
💰 Generous funding for you and your family
🌐 Access to elite scientific networks
🔁 Career pivot opportunity for non-biologists
🧬 Builds a foundation for long-term scientific leadership

❓ FAQs – Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)

❓ Q1. Can I apply if I already completed postdoctoral research in the proposed host country?

❌ No.
One of the core eligibility criteria of HFSP Fellowships is international mobility. If you have accumulated more than 12 months of research or academic activity in the proposed host country within the last 3 years, you are ineligible for HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships.

🔍 The HFSP program is committed to promoting global scientific exchange and cross-cultural research experiences, which is why international relocation is mandatory.

❓ Q2. Are researchers from all countries eligible to apply for HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships?

✅ Yes, but with limits.
Applicants must be citizens or residents of HFSP member countries. These include:

🇮🇳 India
🇺🇸 United States
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇪🇺 European Union Member States
🇯🇵 Japan
🇦🇺 Australia
🇨🇦 Canada
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇸🇬 Singapore
And other HFSP-partner countries

🌍 Always check the most recent list of HFSP member countries at the official website.
🌟 This global fellowship aims to build a strong international life sciences community by bringing together talented scientists across continents.

❓ Q3. Can I apply if I haven’t received my PhD yet?

✅ Yes, conditionally.
You can submit your HFSP application while awaiting your PhD degree. However:

You must have successfully defended your thesis by the fellowship start date.
Proof of PhD completion must be submitted before funding begins.

📌 This flexibility makes the HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship one of the best opportunities for near-completion PhD candidates aiming to start their international research journey without delay.

❓ Q4. Can I conduct the HFSP fellowship in my home country?

❌ No.
A core requirement of the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowship is that you must move to a different country than where you earned your PhD or currently reside.
This promotes diverse scientific training, new research environments, and intercultural collaboration.

✈️ This rule supports HFSP’s mission to foster international mobility and innovation in life sciences research.

❓ Q5. Is English language proficiency required for HFSP Fellowships?

✅ Yes.
While HFSP doesn’t require formal English test scores (like IELTS or TOEFL), strong written and verbal communication in English is crucial. Most top global labs and research institutions operate in English.

Your application, research proposal, and communication with HFSP will all be in English
Your host institution will also expect fluency

🗣️ Strong communication skills increase your success in interviews and collaboration.

❓ Q6. If I don’t get selected, can I reapply in future cycles?

✅ Yes, with restrictions.
You are allowed to reapply for HFSP Fellowships, provided you:

Are still within the 3-year window of receiving your PhD
Continue to meet all eligibility conditions, including host country restrictions
Improve your research proposal, publication record, and international host collaboration

💡 Many successful HFSP fellows are selected on their second or third attempt, often after revising their proposals based on reviewer feedback.

❓ Q7. Do I need peer-reviewed publications to apply?

✅ Yes.
A strong track record of published research is a crucial part of the HFSP evaluation criteria. While there is no strict minimum:

You should have at least 1–2 peer-reviewed papers as first or co-first author
Publishing in high-impact journals in life sciences, physics, or interdisciplinary research significantly strengthens your profile

📚 HFSP Fellowships are highly competitive. Solid publications are often the first filter in the application process.

❓ Q8. Are interdisciplinary research projects favored?

✅ Absolutely.
HFSP actively encourages interdisciplinary life science research. Proposals that blend biology with physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, or engineering are highly regarded.

🧠 This makes HFSP one of the top postdoctoral fellowships for scientists from physical sciences looking to transition into biological research.

❓ Q9. Can I change my host institution after selection?

❌ No.
Once your Human Frontier Science Program HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship is approved, you must stick with the proposed host institution. Changes to host labs or countries post-selection are not permitted, except under rare and justifiable circumstances.

❓ Q10. Does HFSP support dependents or family relocation?

✅ Partially.
HFSP provides a relocation allowance and offers limited support for spouses and children, depending on your host country’s cost of living.

However, dependent support is not guaranteed and varies
Fellows are expected to manage family accommodation, schooling, and visas on their own

Bonus Tips for Applicants:

💼 Start networking with top-tier labs in other countries early
📋 Ensure your research proposal is innovative, interdisciplinary, and international in scope
🔬 Focus on how your project contributes to basic biological discovery
🌍 Use language that highlights global collaboration, scientific curiosity, and high-impact potential

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. For official guidelines, application portals, and updates, please visit the official Human Frontier Science Program website.

🌐 https://www.hfsp.org

Keywords: Human Frontier Science Program, HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cross-disciplinary research, Life sciences fellowships, HFSP CDF, HFSP LTF, international science funding

Follow ScholarshipGrow

📌 Quick Navigation – Postdoctoral Fellowships Worldwide

🌍 Popular Postdoctoral Destinations