FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Program 2026

Deadline: October 15, 2026

Applications are open for the FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Program 2026. In their mutual and strong commitment to support early career researchers and intra-European mobility, with a set goal of advancing neuroscience research and training in Europe, FENS and the IBRO Pan-Europe Regional Committee (IBRO-PERC) are pleased to announce the launch of the FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Program.

Directed at Master and PhD students as well as early-career postdocs in Europe, this program aims to foster and broaden their scope of methodological training by supporting goal-directed laboratory visits in established European laboratories.

Funding

• Maximum grant amount is EUR 4,000. Funds can cover travel (economy class, local public transport) and accommodation during the exchange.

Eligibility

To apply, candidates must:

• Be Master or PhD students in neuroscience or early postdoctoral fellows (within 5 years of starting their postdoc) currently based in Europe.
• Be members of a FENS member society, individual FENS members, or members of an IBRO organization in the Pan-Europe region that is not a FENS member.
• Have acceptance from the host laboratory.
• Have recommendation from the home laboratory.

* Eligible organizations include Armenian IBRO Association; Austrian Academy of Sciences; Israel Academy of Sciences & Humanities; Italian Association of NeuroImmunology; Russian Academy of Sciences; Slovak Academy of Sciences; Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS, Spain); Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; Brain Research Society (BARD) in Turkey.

Evaluation Criteria

To ensure transparency and support applicants in preparing strong submissions, note that your application will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:

• Scientific and Training Quality
  • The scientific merit and clarity of your proposed research during the fellowship.
  • The quality and relevance of the planned training, particularly in terms of new methodologies or skills you will acquire that are not available at your home institution.
• Added Value of the Exchange
  • How clearly and concretely the exchange supports your ongoing or planned research project.
  • The added value of the fellowship for your home laboratory in terms of collaboration, capacity-building, or new methodological expertise.
• Suitability of the Candidate
  • How well your current methodological expertise and academic background match the proposed training and research.
  • The recommendation from your home supervisor, including their assessment of your potential and the expected impact of the fellowship.
• Expected Outcomes
  • Clearly defined and realistic scientific and methodological outcomes of the exchange.
  • The likelihood of achieving the proposed objectives within the planned duration of the stay.
• Feasibility and Need
  • Demonstration of a genuine need for the exchange, both scientifically and financially.

Application

Click here to apply

For more information, visit FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships.