Fellowships overview
Summary of fellowships available for postgraduate training, postdoctoral and advanced research.
IMPORTANT
- Applicants should be aware that they can apply for ONLY ONE of the programmes listed on this page per year. All fellowship programmes offered by TWAS and OWSD (formerly TWOWS) are mutually exclusive.
- Acceptance letters for 2011 applications must show the starting date as 2012 since successful candidates can only start their fellowships in the year following the application.
Postgraduate Training Fellowships
For programme-specific details, click on the relevant programme's name in the table below:
| Where | Field | Age limit | Programme | Partner Organization | Duration | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil |
Natural sciences |
35 years |
TWAS-CNPq Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Brazil) who wish to pursue all or part (SANDWICH or FULL-TIME) of their research leading towards a PhD in the natural sciences in Brazil. |
National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasilia, Brazil | 4 years |
|
| China | Natural sciences | 35 years |
TWAS-CAS Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than China) who wish to undertake the final year of their PhD research in China. |
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China | 1 year |
31 August |
| India | Natural sciences | 35 years | TWAS-CSIR Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue all or part (SANDWICH or FULL-TIME) of their research leading towards a PhD in newly emerging areas in science and technology for which facilities are available in CSIR laboratories and institutes. | Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) of India | up to 4 years | 31 August |
| India | Biotechnology | 35 years |
TWAS-DBT Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue all or part (SANDWICH or FULL-TIME) of their research leading towards a PhD in biotechnology at key biotechnology research institutions in India. |
Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, India | up to 5 years | 31 August |
| India | Physical sciences | 35 years |
TWAS-SN Bose Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue all or part (SANDWICH or FULL-TIME) of their research leading towards a PhD in physical sciences at the S.N. Bose Centre for Basic Science. |
S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Science, Kolkata, India | up to 4 years (plus possibly one year extension) | 31 August |
| India | Natural sciences | 30 years | TWAS-IACS Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in certain fields of natural sciences, including biological chemistry, condensed matter physics, inorganic chemistry, materials science, non conventional energy, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, polymer science, spectroscopy and theoretical physics. | Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, India | up to 4 years |
|
| Kenya | Natural sciences |
35 years | TWAS-icipe Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Kenya) who wish to pursue all or part (SANDWICH or FULL-TIME) of their research leading towards a PhD in the natural sciences at icipe, especially focusing on integrated control methodologies for crop and livestock insect pests and other related arthropods, and insect vectors of tropical diseases. | International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya | up to 3 years |
15 September |
| Malaysia | Natural sciences | 35 years | TWAS-USM Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Malaysia) who wish to pursue studies leading to a PhD degree in the natural sciences. | Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia | up to 3 years | 15 September |
| Mexico | Basic natural sciences | 30 years | TWAS-CONACYT Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Mexico) who wish to pursue studies leading to a PhD degree in the natural sciences. | National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), Mexico | up to 4 years | 30 June |
| Pakistan | Molecular sciences | 35 years | TWAS-CEMB Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in molecular biology and molecular genetics. | National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), Lahore, Pakistan | up to 4 years | 30 June |
| Pakistan | Chemical and biological sciences |
35 years | TWAS-ICCBS Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in organic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular medicine, pharmacology or physical chemistry. | International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi, Pakistan | up to 4 years |
|
TWAS-UNICAL Fellowship for MSc degree for Haitians
TWAS and the University of Calabria (UNICAL) offer a fellowship for students from Haiti (only) who wish to obtain a Master’s degree in the areas of pharmacology or nutrition.
| Where | Field | Age limit | Programme | Partner Organization | Duration | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Pharmacology or nutrition |
35 years |
TWAS-UNICAL Fellowship Programme for Master's degree: For young scientists from Haiti (only) who wish to obtain a Master's degree in pharmacology or nutrition in Italy. |
University of Calabria (UNICAL), Cosenza, Italy |
2 years, extendable for 1 additional year |
NOW Open from 15 October 2011 to 31 January 2012 |
Postgraduate Training for Women only
A similar programme for postgraduate training, but for WOMEN ONLY, is offered by TWAS's partner organization, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD, formerly TWOWS):
| Where | Field | Age limit | Programme | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Several Developing Countries |
Natural sciences |
40 years |
OWSD Postgraduate Training Fellowships at Centres of Excellence in the South for Women Scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa or Least Developed Countries (LDC): The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW) [formerly the Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS)] has a fellowship programme for female students from Sub-Saharan Africa or Least Developed Countries (LDCs) who wish to pursue postgraduate training in a field of the natural sciences leading to a doctorate degree at a centre of excellence in the South outside their own country. |
31 July |
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
NB: Click here to view general information valid for all of the TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowships listed in the following table.
For programme-specific details, click on the relevant programme's name in the table below:
| Where | Field | Age limit | Programme | Partner Organization | Duration | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Natural sciences |
45 years |
TWAS-CNPq Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Brazil) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in the natural sciences in Brazil. | National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), BrasÃlia, Brazil | min. 6 to max. 12 months |
|
| China | Natural sciences | 40 years | TWAS-CAS Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than China) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in China. |
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China | min. 6 to max. 12 months | 31 August |
| India | Natural sciences | 45 years | TWAS-CSIR Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in newly emerging areas in science and technology for which facilities are available in CSIR laboratories and institutes. | Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) of India | min. 6 to max. 12 months | 31 August |
| India | Biotechnology | 45 years | TWAS-DBT Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in biotechnology at key biotechnology research institutions in India. | Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, India | min. 12 to max. 18 months | 31 August |
| India | Physical sciences | 45 years | TWAS-SN Bose Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in the physical sciences at the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, India. |
S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Science, Kolkata, India | min. 6 to max. 12 months | 31 August |
| India |
Natural sciences |
40 years |
TWAS-IACS Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in certain fields of natural sciences, including biological chemistry, condensed matter physics, inorganic chemistry, materials science, non conventional energy, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, polymer science, spectroscopy and theoretical physics. | Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, India | min. 6 to max. 12 months |
|
| Kenya | Natural sciences |
within 5 years from PhD | TWAS-icipe Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Kenya) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in the natural sciences, especially focusing on integrated control methodologies for crop and livestock insect pests and other related arthropods, and insect vectors of tropical diseases. | International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya | min. 6 to max. 12 months |
15 September |
| Malaysia |
Natural sciences |
within 5 years from PhD |
TWAS-USM Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Malaysia) who wish to pursue advanced research in the natural sciences. | Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia | min. 12 months to max. 3 years | 15 September |
| Mexico |
Basic natural sciences |
40 years |
TWAS-CONACYT Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: The National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), Mexico City, Mexico, and TWAS offer fellowships for scientists from developing countries (other than Mexico) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in the natural sciences. |
National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), Mexico |
min. 6 to max. 12 months | 30 June |
| Pakistan |
Molecular sciences |
45 years | TWAS-CEMB Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in molecular biology and molecular genetics. | National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), Lahore, Pakistan | min. 6 to max. 12 months | 30 June |
| Pakistan |
Chemical and biological sciences |
45 years | TWAS-ICCBS Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in organic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular medicine, pharmacology or physical chemistry. | International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi, Pakistan | min. 6 to max. 12 months |
|
| Thailand | Biotechnology |
within 5 years from PhD | TWAS-BIOTEC Fellowship Programme for Postdoctoral Research: For young scientists from developing countries (other than Thailand) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, biochemistry. biotechnology, bioinformatics or related discplines. | National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathumthani, Thailand |
min. 12 to max. 24 months |
15 September |
Fellowships for Advanced Research
For more details, click on the programme's name in the table below:
| Where | Field | Age limit | Programme | Partner Organization | Duration | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various developing countries |
Natural sciences |
no limits | TWAS Fellowships for Research and Advanced Training: For young scientists in developing countries to spend time at a research institution in a developing country other than their own. The purpose of the programme is to enhance the research capacity of promising scientists, especially those at the beginning of their research career, helping them to foster linkages for further collaboration. The fellowship includes travel support and a contribution towards subsistence costs. Living expenses are borne by local sources. | (none) |
min. 3 to max. 12 months | 1 October |
| China | Natural sciences | 55 years | TWAS-CAS Fellowships for Visiting Scholars in China: For scientists from developing countries (other than China) who wish to pursue advanced research in natural sciences. | Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China | min. 1 to max. 3 months | 31 August |
| Kenya |
Natural sciences |
55 years | TWAS-icipe Fellowships for Visiting Scholars in Kenya: For scientists from developing countries (other than Kenya) who wish to pursue advanced research in the natural sciences, especially focusing on integrated control methodologies for crop and livestock insect pests and other related arthropods, and insect vectors of tropical diseases. | International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya | min. 1 to max. 3 months | 15 September |
| Malaysia |
Natural sciences |
55 years |
TWAS-USM Fellowships for Visiting Researchers in Malaysia: For scientists from developing countries (other than Malaysia) who wish to pursue advanced research in natural sciences. | Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia | min. 1 to max. 3 months | 15 September |
Application Forms
Click on the links below to download the application forms and guidelines. Before filling in the form, applicants must read very carefully the application guidelines for detailed information on eligibility criteria, deadlines and other key requirements of the application procedure.
- Postgraduate Fellowships:
PG Application Form
PG Application Guidelines - Postdoctoral Fellowships:
PDoc Application Form
PDoc Application Guidelines - Visiting Scholars/Visiting Researchers Fellowships:
VS/VR Application Form
VS/VR Application Guidelines - Research and Advanced Training Fellowship:
Application Form
For information on the TWAS-UNESCO Associateship Scheme, the TWAS Research Professors in Least Developed Countries, the ICSU-TWAS-UNESCO-UNU/IAS Visiting Scientist Programme or the TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme, please see: Research Collaboration.

Between 2009 and 2010, TWAS helped 327 researchers to visit a centre of excellence for further education and advanced research collaboration. For a complete listing of the awardees - including nationality, home institution, scientific research field and host institution visited - please follow these links: 