If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of life sciences, applications are now open for the prestigious International Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Research Grants for the award year 2026. Designed to support cutting-edge, interdisciplinary, and international collaborative research, this program fosters novel approaches to understanding fundamental biological mechanisms. Here’s everything you need to know about the HFSP Research Grants. Let's dig into details!
Program Summary
Location: Research is conducted at the home institutions of team members across various countries.
Institution: Participating institutions must be non-profit and capable of training undergraduate and/or doctoral students.
Target Group: Independent researchers with a PhD (or equivalent) leading a research group
Research Fields: Fundamental life sciences, including molecular mechanisms, biological networks, and ecosystems. Applied research is generally excluded.
Funding Type and Value: Fixed annual amounts based on team size—$300,000 for two members, $400,000 for three members, and $500,000 for four or more members.
Duration: Three years (extendable to four for fund utilization).
Application Deadlines: Letter of Intent initiation by March 18, 2025.
Start Date: Between May and December 2026.
Program Overview
HFSP Research Grants aim to promote international cooperation in life sciences, focusing on novel research that challenges paradigms and explores uncharted territory. The program encourages interdisciplinary projects, leveraging expertise from various fields, including physics, chemistry, computational biology, and engineering.
Projects Supported:
The grants fund research on fundamental biological mechanisms, from gene functions and molecular biology to ecosystems. Projects must:
Be highly innovative and interdisciplinary.
Represent a significant departure from ongoing research by team members.
Emphasize international collaboration with little to no prior co-authorship among team members.
Team Composition:
Teams must consist of two to four scientists from different countries, preferably across continents. Each member should bring unique expertise to the collaboration. Researchers from non-HFSP member countries or for-profit organizations can participate but are not eligible for funding.
Program Funding and Benefits
Fixed annual amounts based on team size—$300,000 for two members, $400,000 for three members, and $500,000 for four or more members.
Coverage for essential travel and accommodation for collaborative visits, fieldwork, or conferences.
Support for publication costs, including open access fees.
Annual awardee meeting attendance costs covered.
Up to 10% of direct costs can be allocated to institutional overheads.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must lead independent research groups. Postdoctoral researchers are not eligible.
The Principal Applicant must be based in an HFSP member country.
Teams must have no more than three prior co-publications among members.
Projects must be distinctly different from team members’ ongoing research.
Application Procedure
For detailed guide on how to apply for the HFSP Research Grants 2026, download and carefully read the Application Guidelines [PDF].
The application timeline is as follows:
1. Initiate a Letter of Intent:
The Principal Applicant must create a 7-digit LOI ID via the HFSP application site by March 18, 2025.
2. Submit Letter of Intent:
Complete and submit the LOI by March 27, 2025, detailing the team composition and project concept.
3. Full Proposal Submission:
Invited applicants must submit detailed proposals by mid-September 2025.
4. Outcome Notification:
Awards will be announced in March 2026.
📂 Required Documents:
Letter of Intent with team details and research objectives.
CVs and publication records of all team members.
Institutional endorsements for team members’ independent status.
ℹ️ Additional Information:
For further details, visit the HFSP website or contact [grant@hfsp.org]
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