Neuroscience Fellowship Opportunities for Early-Career Researchers

Neuroscience Fellowship Opportunities 2026 – FENS/IBRO-PERC

Explore the FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme for neuroscience researchers in Europe, offering up to EUR 4,000 for research exchanges.

Early-career neuroscience researchers can apply for the FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme, which supports research training and mobility through laboratory exchanges in Europe.

The programme is offered by the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and IBRO-PERC and is currently open for applications.

The fellowship is designed for Master’s and PhD students in neuroscience and early postdoctoral researchers who want to develop new methodological skills through a targeted visit to another laboratory.

Successful applicants can receive a grant of up to EUR 4,000.

The funding can support:

Economy-class travel
Local public transportation
Accommodation during the exchange

The grant is paid in two stages: 60% before the fellowship begins and the remaining 40% after completion and submission of the required report.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be a Master’s or PhD student in neuroscience or an early postdoctoral fellow within five years of starting their postdoc.
Be currently based in Europe.
Be a member of a FENS member society, an individual FENS member, or an eligible IBRO organisation in the Pan-Europe region.
Have acceptance from the host laboratory.
Provide a recommendation from their home laboratory.

Both the home and host laboratories must be located in Europe, and the exchange must involve moving between countries.

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship lasts between 4 weeks and 4 months.

The exchange must be completed within one year of the award. Applicants staying longer than four months must provide details of additional funding sources and the outcomes expected during the FENS/IBRO-PERC-supported period.

Application Deadline

The current application deadline is:

15 October 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time.

Applications are accepted twice a year, with regular deadlines on 15 April and 15 October.

Applicants must be logged in or registered with FENS to apply.

What Applications Are Evaluated On

Applications are assessed based on:

Scientific and training quality
Added value of the exchange
Suitability of the candidate
Expected scientific and methodological outcomes
Feasibility and financial need

Applicants should clearly explain why the proposed laboratory exchange is important for their research and what new skills or methods they expect to gain.

Important Note for Researchers Outside Europe

The FENS/IBRO-PERC programme is intended for applicants based in Europe. Researchers resident in Africa, Asia or Latin America are directed to the general IBRO Exchange Fellowships programme instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowship?

It is a fellowship programme supporting neuroscience research and training exchanges between European laboratories.

How much funding is available?

The maximum grant is EUR 4,000, primarily for eligible travel and accommodation expenses.

Who can apply?

Master’s and PhD neuroscience students and early postdoctoral fellows within five years of starting their postdoc can apply, subject to the programme’s membership and laboratory requirements.

What is the application deadline?

The current deadline is 15 October 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time.

How long can the exchange last?

The fellowship can last from 4 weeks to 4 months.

Can researchers based in Africa apply?

Researchers resident in Africa are directed to the general IBRO Exchange Fellowships programme rather than the FENS/IBRO-PERC programme.

Disclaimer

This article is published for informational purposes and to advertise an external opportunity. We are not affiliated with FENS or IBRO-PERC and do not recruit applicants. Applicants should review the official fellowship information and requirements before applying.

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