As of April 26, 2026, the scholarship cycle for researchers is at its busiest time of year. Even though big UK awards like the Newton International Fellowship are closed for this year, there are still a number of highly regarded fully funded postdoctoral fellowships, visiting scholar programmes, and international research grants available for the 2027/28 cycle.
Here are the best opportunities for researchers in all fields who want to start in the next intake.
1. The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Programme for 2027–2028
One of the most respected research programmes for faculty and researchers who want to do work in the US.
- The Award: All expenses paid, including a J-1 visa, round-trip airfare, a monthly stipend, and health insurance.
- Status Right Now: Applications Are Open.
- The last day is June 30, 2026.
- Eligible Disciplines: Almost all fields of study, but this year we’re especially interested in Cybersecurity, AI, Energy, Science, and Agriculture.
- Requirement: Applicants must possess a PhD or an equivalent terminal degree. There are two types of grants: a research grant (3 to 9 months) and a curriculum development grant (3 to 5 months).
2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships for 2026
These fellowships help great researchers from any country learn new things by moving around Europe or between countries and fields.
- The Award: Full funding for living expenses, mobility, and family allowances, as well as research, training, and networking costs.
- • Current Status: OPEN FOR PROPOSALS.
- • Due date: September 9, 2026.
- • Focus Areas: Accepting all research fields (bottom-up approach).
- Please note that the fellowships usually last between 12 and 24 months. At the time of the call deadline, researchers must have a PhD and no more than 8 years of full-time research experience.
3. The Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) Fellowships for Postdoctoral Students in 2027
For life science researchers who want to get more experience by moving to a new country and working in a different field of research.
- The award includes a large living allowance, money for research, and travel support for three years.
- Status: Applications will be open soon.
- Important Deadlines (for the 2027 Cycle):
- Start the Letter of Intent (LoI) in early May 2026.
- Send in your Letter of Intent by mid-May 2026.
- Submission of full proposals: September 2026 (by invitation only).
- Requirement: Cross-disciplinary research is very important. You must have a PhD by the time the grant starts.
4. GREAT Scholarships for Research (UK)
A joint programme that lets students from 15 or more countries take a one-year taught postgraduate course at a UK university that is part of the programme.
- The Prize: At least £10,000 to help pay for school.
- Status for 2026/27: Applications are open.
- The deadline is different for each institution, but most are between May and June 2026.
- Requirement: Must hold an undergraduate degree and be motivated to engage with the UK as a scholar.
5. Important Strategy for Researchers in 2026
This year, your application for a high-level research fellowship must show “Impactful Mobility”:
- The Host Institution: For MSCA and Fulbright, the strength of your host institution and how well your research fits with their current projects is often worth 40% of the score. Get an unconditional invitation letter from a host supervisor at least two months before the deadline.
- Interdisciplinary Reach: In 2026, the HFSP and MSCA are very interested in “convergent research”, which means using physics to solve biological problems or data science to improve social governance.
- The “Ambassador” Role: To win the GREAT or Fulbright award, your essay must be more than just your research data. You need to explain how you will be a cultural and academic ambassador between your home country and the country you are living in.
- Data Transparency: If you want to get an EU-funded grant (MSCA), you need to include a clear Data Management Plan (DMP) and a promise to Open Science in your proposal. These are now required.
6. Summary of Important Deadlines (May/September 2026)
- HFSP Letter of Intent (Start Date): May 5, 2026.
- Submission of the HFSP Letter of Intent: May 12, 2026.
- • The deadline for the World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP) is May 29, 2026.
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar (Regional) ends on June 30, 2026.
- • MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship: September 9, 2026