ICGEB offers laboratory-based training in life sciences and the detection of and response to biological threats. The September 2026 call is co-funded by the Government of the United Kingdom and run with UNODA and the BWC ISU.
Selected scientists train in Trieste, New Delhi or Taizhou on topics spanning human, animal and plant health, including pathogen surveillance, diagnostics, therapeutics, antimicrobial resistance, biotechnology and responsible research. The fellowship scheme had March and September calls in 2026; this record covers the September call.
Benefits & funding
- The standard fellowship lasts 2 months and may be extended to a maximum of 4 months through co-funding.
- Monthly stipends are EUR 1,500 in Trieste, USD 1,122 in New Delhi and USD 1,500 in Taizhou.
- The fellowship covers travel from the participant’s home country to the host laboratory and return travel after completion.
- Medical insurance is provided, and visa or stay-permit application and renewal costs are reimbursed.
- For Taizhou placements, a bench-fee allowance supports eligible laboratory consumables for the approved research-training project.
- ICGEB does not fund or provide administrative support for accompanying family members.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be nationals of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Ukraine or Moldova; no separate residency requirement is stated.
- Applicants need a background in virology, microbiology, biotechnology or a related biological science concerning human, animal or plant health, plus an interest in dual-use research concerns.
- Trieste applicants must hold a BSc with Honours. New Delhi applicants must hold an MSc, and Taizhou applicants must hold an MSc or equivalent.
- Applicants need working English supported by TOEFL, a Cambridge certificate or an equivalent credential. If English was the medium of instruction, an official university certificate may be used instead.
- Women scientists are particularly encouraged, but this is a preference rather than an eligibility restriction.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Eligible nationalities
Kazakhstan · Kyrgyzstan · Tajikistan · Turkmenistan · Uzbekistan · Mongolia · Ukraine · Moldova
Education required
Bachelor · Master
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Application process
- 1Create an account in the ICGEB Service Gateway.
- 2From 1 July to 14 August 2026, submit one Expression of Interest, selecting the host laboratory and prospective supervisor and completing the applicant, career and project sections. The Expression of Interest must be completed in one session.
- 3ICGEB principal investigators review submissions. Only candidates selected by the prospective supervisor can continue to the full application.
- 4From 16 to 30 September 2026, invited candidates submit a full application through the Gateway. Trieste and New Delhi candidates use the short-term PhD route, while Taizhou candidates use the SMART PhD route.
- 5Upload the documents required for the chosen route. Trieste and New Delhi require a CV, identification and English evidence; Taizhou requires the candidate’s CV, the receiving laboratory head’s CV and identification.
- 6The ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee evaluates complete applications and communicates outcomes by email.
Program timeline
Expression of Interest opens
1 July 2026
Expression of Interest deadline
14 August 2026, 23:59 CET
Invited full-application stage opens
16 September 2026
Full-application deadline
30 September 2026, 23:59 CET
After the deadline
Selection takes several weeks; outcomes are sent by email