HFSP International Research Grants: The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) invites international teams of independent researchers to apply for HFSP Research Grants 2026. These prestigious grants support high-risk, high-reward basic research addressing fundamental biological questions through novel, interdisciplinary, and international collaboration. The program strongly encourages participation from disciplines beyond traditional life sciences and supports teams developing entirely new research directions.
HFSP International Research Grants 2026 (Early Career & Program)
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Agency | Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) |
| Grant Type | Research Grants – Early Career & Program |
| Team Size | 2–4 Independent Researchers |
| Grant Duration | 3 Years |
| Research Nature | Basic, Innovative, Interdisciplinary |
| International Requirement | Mandatory (Preferably Intercontinental) |
| Application Stage | Letter of Intent (LOI) → Full Proposal (Invitation Only) |
| LOI Submission Deadline | 26 March 2026 |
Designation
- HFSP Research Grant Awardee
- Research Grants – Early Career
- Research Grants – Program
Research Area
- Fundamental Biological Sciences
- Interdisciplinary Research involving:
- Biophysics
- Chemistry
- Computational Biology
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Nanoscience
- Physics
- Complex biological systems, regulatory networks, evolution, and interactions
⚠️ Applied research and medical research typically funded by national medical bodies are not eligible.
Location
- International / Global
- Principal Applicant must have a laboratory in an HFSP member country
- Other team members may be located anywhere in the world
Eligibility / Qualification
General Eligibility
- Teams of 2–4 independent research group leaders
- Each team member must:
- Hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent
- Direct an independent research group
- Have full authority over project direction and grant administration
- Teams must be international (normally one lab per country)
- Prior collaboration among team members is strongly discouraged
Early Career Grants
- All members:
- Within 5 years of obtaining an independent position
- Doctoral degree obtained within the last 10 years
- Must independently lead a research group
Program Grants
- Open to researchers at any career stage
- Participation of early career researchers is encouraged
Job Description / Grant Details
- Supports high-risk, innovative basic research
- Focus on new collaborative research lines
- Preliminary results not required
- Applicants must:
- Identify scientific risks
- Propose mitigation strategies
- Grant funds can be used for:
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Graduate students
- Technicians
- Project-related research costs
- Not Allowed:
- Faculty salaries
- Administrative staff salaries
- Student tuition fees
How to Apply
Step 1: Letter of Intent (Mandatory)
- Designate one team member as Principal Applicant
- Create/Login to ProposalCentral
- Obtain LOI ID number (mandatory)
- Add all team members as co-applicants
- Submit Letter of Intent online
🔗 Application Portal: ProposalCentral
Step 2: Full Proposal
- Only invited teams may submit
- Invitations issued by mid-July 2026
- Full proposal deadline: mid-September 2026
Last Date for Apply
| Application Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| LOI ID Generation | 17 March 2026 |
| Letter of Intent Submission | 26 March 2026 |
| Invitation Notification | Mid-July 2026 |
| Full Proposal Submission | Mid-September 2026 |
