The Huo Family Foundation supports postdoctoral researchers to lead independent projects on how digital technology affects brain development, social behaviour, well-being and mental health in people aged 2–24. Awards are held at eligible degree-awarding universities in the United Kingdom or United States.
The programme is multidisciplinary and supports work spanning fields such as neuroscience, psychology, public health, computer science, social science and economics. The 2026 call is closed.
Benefits & funding
- Up to £130,000 or US$175,500 per year for up to three years.
- Funding may support the fellow’s salary and research costs, including staff, laboratory expenses, equipment, access charges and professional travel.
- Awards are paid annually in advance.
- UK awards cover direct costs; US awards may include indirect costs of up to 12.5% within the total annual grant.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant field.
- The PhD must have been completed in January 2023 or later, with possible allowances for part-time work, career breaks, clinical training or other significant time outside research.
- Applicants must not hold their first permanent or tenure-track position.
- The applicant must be based, or propose to be based, at an eligible degree-awarding university in the United Kingdom or United States; hospital or research-institute applicants must apply through an affiliated university.
- Applicants must name both an established sponsor at the host institution and a separate mentor, with a support letter from each.
- No nationality restriction is stated.
- The proposed research must fit the programme’s scientific remit and exclusions.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
PhD
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Application process
- 1Review the fellowship page and extended scientific guidance to confirm that the project fits the remit.
- 2Secure an eligible host university, an established sponsor, a separate mentor and an authorised senior institutional endorser.
- 3Register on the Huo Family Foundation grants portal and start the fellowship application.
- 4Prepare the research proposal, study-design annex, CVs, budget and required support letters within the published limits.
- 5Obtain institutional sign-off and submit electronically through the portal; the 2026 deadline was 1 May 2026.
Program timeline
Call announced and online grant system opened.
2 February 2026
Application deadline at 23:59 UK time.
1 May 2026
External peer review.
Summer 2026
Funding-committee shortlist.
18 September 2026
Shortlisted applicants respond to reviewer comments.
21–28 September 2026
Funding committee considers shortlisted applications.
22–23 October 2026
Funding decisions released.
Week commencing 23 November 2026
Award agreements issued and first annual payment made.
December 2026
Fellowships begin.
January–February 2027