Top 10 PhD and postdoc fellowships for international researchers

For researchers, the right fellowship does more than pay the bills. It decides where you work, who you learn from and how much freedom you have to follow your own questions.

These ten fellowships fund PhD or postdoctoral research for international applicants, most of them with a published stipend or salary. Every detail was checked on the official page on October 30, 2026.

The list at a glance

#	Programme	Where	Next deadline
1	Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships	Several countries	Not announced yet
2	Humboldt Research Fellowship	Germany	Not announced yet
3	Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme	Hong Kong	December 1, 2026
4	Gates Cambridge Scholarship (PhD)	United Kingdom	December 8, 2026
5	EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships	Several countries	January 22, 2027
6	JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Standard)	Japan	April 23, 2027
7	Branco Weiss Fellowship: Society in Science	Several countries	January 15, 2027
8	HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships	Several countries	Not announced yet
9	Max Planck IMPRS-IS Doctoral Program	Germany	November 15, 2026
10	Wellcome Early-Career Awards	Several countries	Rolling

1. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships

EU-funded postdoctoral fellowships with a host organisation: European Fellowships last 1 to 2 years in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. The EU covers a living allowance and a mobility allowance, plus family and other allowances where they apply, and funding for research, training and networking.

• Who can apply: Applicants must hold a PhD and have no more than eight years of research experience since it was awarded, and must meet a mobility rule (not more than 12 months in the host country in the 36 months before the deadline). European Fellowships are open to any nationality; Global Fellowships are for EU or associated country nationals or long-term residents only.
• Deadline: The official MSCA PF 2027 page lists an opening date of 7 April 2027 and a deadline of 8 September 2027, both marked TBC (no time zone given).
• Why it is on the list: Europe’s flagship postdoc scheme, open to any nationality for European Fellowships, with living, mobility and research allowances.

Read the full Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships listing

2. Humboldt Research Fellowship

Funds a research stay at a host institution in Germany: 3,000 euros a month for postdocs (6 to 24 months) or 3,600 euros a month for experienced researchers (6 to 18 months). Extras include family benefits, health insurance subsidies, travel allowances and a pre-fellowship language course.

• Who can apply: Open to researchers of all nationalities except German nationals (with limited exceptions for Germans long based abroad). Postdocs need a doctorate from the last four years and peer-reviewed publications; experienced researchers need a doctorate from the last twelve years and a strong publication record.
• Deadline: There are three calls a year, opening on 15 March, 15 July and 15 November; the page says the next call opens on 15 November 2026. Each call closes early once it reaches 800 applications, and the November call feeds a selection meeting in July.
• Why it is on the list: A published monthly amount, three calls a year and open to all nationalities except German nationals.

Read the full Humboldt Research Fellowship listing

3. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

Hong Kong Research Grants Council fellowship for PhD study at eight Hong Kong universities, with an annual stipend (HK$344,400 in 2026/27) and a travel allowance, for up to three years.

• Who can apply: New full-time PhD applicants of any nationality; selection weighs academic excellence, research ability, communication and leadership.
• Deadline: Initial HKPFS application closes 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time; university applications close the same day at 11:59pm.
• Why it is on the list: A published annual stipend plus a travel allowance, for PhD applicants of any nationality.

Read the full Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme listing

4. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (PhD)

Postgraduate scholarship at the University of Cambridge paying the full composition fee, a maintenance allowance (GBP 23,152 a year at the 2026/27 rate), one economy airfare at the start and end of the course, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

• Who can apply: Applicants from any country outside the UK applying for a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject at Cambridge. Selection looks at intellect, choice of course, commitment to improving others’ lives and leadership.
• Deadline: For applicants outside the US round, the deadline is 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the Course Funding Deadline shown for your course in the University Course Directory. The US-resident round closed on 14 October 2026.
• Why it is on the list: Full funding for a Cambridge PhD, including fees, maintenance and travel, for applicants from any country outside the UK.

Read the full Gates Cambridge Scholarship (PhD) listing

5. EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships

Funds postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences for up to two years in a host lab abroad, in Europe and worldwide. The fellowship includes a salary or stipend, a relocation allowance and support for fellows with children.

• Who can apply: Applicants must hold a doctorate by the start of the fellowship (earned within two years before submission if already awarded) and have at least one first-author peer-reviewed paper or qualifying reviewed preprint. The move must be between countries, and not to the country of the PhD or back to the PhD lab.
• Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year; the next cutoff (hard deadline) is Friday 22 January 2027 at 14:00 CET. From the Autumn 2027 round, each researcher may submit only one proposal and re-applications are no longer allowed.
• Why it is on the list: A leading life sciences fellowship that funds a move abroad, with support for fellows with children.

Read the full EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships listing

6. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Standard)

Fellowships of 12 to 24 months for overseas postdocs to do joint research with a host in Japan, with a monthly maintenance allowance of JPY 362,000.

• Who can apply: Applicants must be citizens of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan and hold a doctorate received within the past six years.
• Deadline: Under open recruitment the application goes through a host researcher in Japan; the 2nd FY2027 call closes on 23 April 2027 at 5 p.m. JST. Some countries also have separate nominating authorities with their own dates.
• Why it is on the list: A clear monthly allowance and a route into research in Japan with a host researcher.

Read the full JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Standard) listing

7. Branco Weiss Fellowship: Society in Science

Up to ten fellowships a year of up to CHF 600,000 over up to five years for unconventional research, covering costs such as salary, equipment, travel and personnel.

• Who can apply: Open to researchers who hold a PhD by 15 January 2027, obtained no more than five years earlier, who have not held a faculty-level post; projects in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities must depart from the mainstream.
• Deadline: The registration portal for the 2027 intake closes on 15 January 2027 at 5 p.m. CET. The page advises submitting one to two days early.
• Why it is on the list: Up to CHF 600,000 over five years for unconventional research in any field.

Read the full Branco Weiss Fellowship: Society in Science listing

8. HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships

Three-year fellowships for frontier life science research abroad, with a living allowance and a research and travel allowance, plus child, parental leave or relocation allowances where eligible. Amounts vary by host country and are in the guidelines.

• Who can apply: Open to PhD holders in biology (Long-Term) or in non-biological fields such as physics, chemistry, maths, engineering or computer science (Cross-Disciplinary) who change country; non-member nationals may apply to hosts in HFSPO member countries, and the PhD must be no more than 3 years old at the full proposal deadline.
• Deadline: There is one competition per year. The 2027 cycle closed (Letter of Intent deadline 12 May 2026, full proposals 24 September 2026), and the page gives no dates yet for the next cycle.
• Why it is on the list: Three years of support for frontier life science, including for researchers from non-biological fields.

Read the full HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships listing

9. Max Planck IMPRS-IS Doctoral Program

Doctoral programme of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and two partner universities in AI, machine learning and robotics. Selected students are funded through an employment contract, and interview travel is paid.

• Who can apply: A master’s degree, finished or expected soon, in engineering, computer science, cognitive science, maths, neuroscience, physics or a related field. First-year PhD students may apply; non-native speakers need proof of English.
• Deadline: Deadline is 15 November 2026, end of day AoE, for the 2027 hiring round. Students can start from February 2027.
• Why it is on the list: A funded PhD in AI, machine learning and robotics with the Max Planck Society, with a deadline in November.

Read the full Max Planck IMPRS-IS Doctoral Program listing

10. Wellcome Early-Career Awards

Usually five years of support with the grantholder’s salary plus up to £400,000 for research expenses, for early-career researchers in any discipline relevant to Wellcome’s aims.

• Who can apply: No nationality rule; the host must be in the UK, Republic of Ireland or a low or middle-income country (excluding mainland China), and applicants need a PhD (or four years of equivalent research) and generally no more than three years of postdoc experience.
• Deadline: Wellcome lists the Full application as apply anytime, with interviews and decisions in May 2027 and September 2027. All Wellcome deadlines are at 15:00 UK time.
• Why it is on the list: Long, generous support for early-career researchers, but the host must be in the UK, Ireland or an eligible low or middle-income country.

Read the full Wellcome Early-Career Awards listing

How we ranked them

This is an editorial ranking. We weighed how open the fellowship is to international applicants, how complete and clear the funding is (published stipends or salaries rank higher) and how much independence it gives the researcher. No programme paid to be included.

More research fellowships, sorted by deadline and field, are in our fellowship deadline calendar.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a PhD fellowship and a postdoc fellowship?

A PhD fellowship funds your doctoral studies. A postdoctoral fellowship funds research after your PhD, usually for one to five years.

Do I need a host before applying?

For many postdoc fellowships, yes. Marie Skłodowska-Curie, Humboldt, JSPS and EMBO all involve a host institution or researcher. Contact potential hosts early.

Are these fellowships open to any nationality?

Most are, with exceptions. Humboldt excludes German nationals, MSCA Global Fellowships are for EU or associated country nationals or long-term residents, and JSPS requires citizenship of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan.

Before you apply

Most fellowships ask for a research proposal and references. Read how to write a scholarship motivation letter, and check the AI rules in can I use AI on my university application?.