The Company of Biologists and Journal of Experimental Biology (JEB) fund junior faculty to bring an early-career researcher (ECR), such as a graduate student or a postdoc up to five years past the PhD, into their own lab.
The visiting ECR spends one to three months on a defined research project and takes a central part in data collection, analysis and writing. There are two rounds a year.
Benefits & funding
- Up to £3,000 (or currency equivalent) per grant, paid to the host’s institution before the visit.
- Covers the ECR’s travel, accommodation, subsistence and visa fees; not travel insurance or research costs.
- The visit must start within six months of the award. Unspent funds, or all funds if the visit is cancelled, go back, and there is no top-up if costs run higher.
Eligibility
- Junior faculty (e.g. Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Group Leader, PI) within seven years of their first faculty position, excluding career breaks.
- Working in experimental biology on animal comparative physiology or biomechanics.
- The research project already has full funding and has not started yet, and the applicant has no existing collaboration with the invited ECR.
- Awarded only once per person; not combinable with a JEB Kickstart Travel Grant within 12 months; unsuccessful applicants wait 12 months before reapplying.
- Any nationality, but awards cannot be paid to recipients in places under UN, EU or UK sanctions.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
“Applications will be considered only from junior faculty staff members (e.g. Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Group Leader, Principal Research Investigator) within seven years (excluding any career breaks) of their first faculty position.” Eligibility
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Application process
- 1Write a project proposal (hypotheses, approach, fit with JEB) and a budget of up to £3,000. You do not need to have recruited the ECR yet.
- 2Get two signed letters on institutional letterhead from your Head of Department/School: one confirming your employment status and support, one giving evidence of research funding.
- 3Submit everything in English, including your CV and publication list, through the Company of Biologists’ online portal by 27 November 2026.
Program timeline
Application deadline
27 Nov 2026
Decisions announced; the ECR can travel after this date
4 Jan 2027
Within 6 months of the award
The visit must start
4 Jun 2027
Next deadline (travel after 19 Jul 2027)