2026 Global Early-Career Short Research Fellowship

Job Description

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Applications are now open for the Global Early-Career Short Research Fellowship 2026, a prestigious opportunity for early-career researchers from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to undertake a short-term research visit at Imperial College London. The fellowship provides a 4–8 week high-impact research experience in 2026, focusing on innovation in AI and Open Hardware for Lab Automation.

This fellowship is designed to foster new collaborations, accelerate scientific innovation, and offer researchers a platform to develop transformative projects in a world-class research environment.

Fellowship Overview

• Duration: 4–8 weeks in 2026
• Location: Imperial College London, UK
• Focus Areas: AI, Open Hardware, Lab Automation
• Target Participants: Early-career researchers from LDCs and LMICs
• Benefits:
  • Access to Imperial College London’s laboratories and research infrastructure
  • Mentorship from leading academics
  • Opportunity to collaborate with global researchers and accelerate innovation

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for the Global Early-Career Short Research Fellowship 2026 must meet the following criteria:

• Be within 8 years of PhD completion or 6 years of first academic appointment, excluding career breaks
• Hold a passport and permanent residency in an LDC or LMIC, as defined by the OECD ODA Recipients List (Upper Middle-Income Countries are not eligible)
• Be currently based at an institution within an LDC or LMIC
• Provide a Letter of Recommendation from their home institution
• Secure a Letter of Support from an academic host supervisor at Imperial College London, signed by the Head of Department

Application Process

Applicants must be hosted by an Imperial College academic during their visit. The process includes:

1. Identify a Host Academic
   • Use the Imperial College directory to find potential supervisors
   • Pre-existing collaborators are encouraged to explore hosting opportunities
2. Prepare Required Documentation
   • Two-page Academic CV
   • Host Support Letter detailing bench-fee waiver, workspace/lab access, induction, and supervision plan
   • Home Institution Support Letter confirming applicant’s status and support for the visit
3. Submit Application
   • Complete the online application form
   • Send all supporting documents to [email protected] before the deadline
4. Selection and Notification
   • Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee at Imperial College London
   • Successful candidates will be notified via email

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
• Duration of Fellowship: 4–8 weeks in 2026

Why Apply

The Global Early-Career Short Research Fellowship 2026 offers researchers a unique opportunity to:

• Advance cutting-edge research in AI and lab automation
• Collaborate with world-class scientists at Imperial College London
• Gain exposure to international research practices and innovation networks
• Build skills that will accelerate your career and scientific impact