The application window is now open for the Global Early-Career Short Research Fellowship, offering a valuable opportunity for emerging researchers from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This fellowship enables recipients to undertake a focused research visit lasting between 4 to 8 weeks at Imperial College London during the year 2026. The initiative aims to foster groundbreaking partnerships, speed up scientific innovation, and revolutionize research practices by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Open Hardware technologies specifically tailored for laboratory automation.
Who Should Apply?
Applicants interested in this fellowship must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a Letter of Recommendation issued by their home institution.
- Be within eight years of completing their PhD or within six years of their initial academic appointment, with allowances made for any career interruptions.
- Hold a valid passport and permanent residency status in a country classified as a Least Developed Country (LDC) or Lower Middle Income Country (LMIC), according to the OECD ODA Recipients List. It is important to note that this program excludes applicants from Upper Middle Income Countries.
- Be currently affiliated with an academic or research institution situated within an LDC or LMIC.
- Secure a Letter of Support from a prospective academic host at Imperial College London. This letter must bear the signature of the Head of Department to confirm the supervisor's endorsement.
Application Procedure
To apply, candidates must first identify an Imperial College academic willing to host them during their visit. Prospective applicants are encouraged to explore the university’s directory of faculties and departments, which can be found here. The decision to accept a visiting researcher remains at the sole discretion of the Imperial academic.
Applicants who already collaborate with researchers at Imperial are advised to leverage those relationships when seeking hosting support.
Once a host academic has been secured, applicants should complete the online application form and submit it along with all required supporting documents before the deadline of March 31st, 2026.
Documents Required
- An academic CV limited to two pages.
- A letter of support from the Imperial College host, detailing arrangements such as bench-fee waivers, access to workspace or laboratory facilities, and plans for induction and supervision.
- A letter from the applicant’s home institution confirming their status and endorsing the research visit.
Selection and Notification
All complete applications meeting the eligibility criteria will be reviewed by a selection panel at Imperial College London. Candidates will be informed of the outcome via email.
For further details, interested applicants are encouraged to Visit the Official Webpage of the Global Early-Career Short Research Fellowship.
