Funding

Grant

Program dates

TBA

Fellowship•Remote

Asian Young Scientist Fellowship

Asian Young Scientist Fellowship

Application Deadline

Closed · May 10, 2026

Reopens ~May 2027

Official Page

The Asian Young Scientist Fellowship (AYSF) backs outstanding early-career researchers working in Asia with an unrestricted grant to pursue bold, independent science. Launched in 2022 by the founders of the Future Science Prize, it is funded philanthropically by leading Asian investors and administered by committees of senior scientists. Each year twelve fellows are selected across four broad areas — life science, physical science, mathematics, and computer science, including applied and cross-disciplinary work. Candidates cannot apply directly: qualified nominators (deans, department heads, and institute directors) put forward one nominee, who then submits a full application. It is designed to give researchers the freedom and recognition to take on ambitious, high-risk questions early in their careers.

Benefits & funding

  • US$100,000 unrestricted-use award per fellow, disbursed over a two-year term.
  • Funds are decided by the fellow and can support salary supplements, hiring, equipment, or conferences, subject to the home institution’s financial rules.
  • Membership in a community of frontier researchers, plus an annual conference for interdisciplinary exchange.

Eligibility

  • Hold a full-time academic or research position in Asia — specifically China (mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan), India, Japan, Korea, or Singapore.
  • Within ten years of completing a terminal degree (Ph.D. or M.D.); for the 2026 cycle the degree must have been obtained on or after 1 January 2016.
  • Able to conduct independent research as a principal investigator.
  • Nomination-based only — self-nominations are not accepted; nominators may not put forward their own current or former students, postdocs, or trainees.

Can you apply?

Worth a closer look

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  • Residence required

    China · India · Japan · South Korea · Singapore

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  • Education required

    PhD

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  • Experience required

    ≤ 10 yrs

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Application process

  1. 1
    A qualified nominator submits one nominee during the annual nomination window (nominations stay valid for three years).
  2. 2
    The nominee prepares an application: a CV (max 5 pages), two research statements of 800–1,000 words each (past and future work), and three recommendation letters.
  3. 3
    The secretariat screens for completeness; the selection committee evaluates and recommends top candidates to the steering committee.
  4. 4
    Results are posted online and shared by email, typically by the end of August.

Program timeline

  1. Nomination period opens

    Jan 28, 2026

  2. Nomination period closes

    Mar 27, 2026

  3. Application (materials) deadline

    May 10, 2026

  4. Results announced

    2026-08

  5. Recurs annually; the 2027 round is expected to open its nomination window in late January 2027.