TWAS–FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in Brazil for Researchers from Developing Countries

The TWAS–FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2027 offers researchers from developing countries an opportunity to undertake postdoctoral research at eligible host institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

The programme is jointly offered by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). It supports qualified researchers holding a PhD who wish to advance their academic and research careers through international research collaboration.

Fellowships are available across a broad range of disciplines, including agricultural sciences, biological sciences, medical and health sciences, engineering, physics, mathematics, and social and economic sciences.

Successful applicants will undertake research projects at host institutions in São Paulo for a period of up to 12 months.

About the TWAS–FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship

The programme is designed to strengthen scientific cooperation between Brazil and developing countries by supporting international research partnerships.

Through this initiative, TWAS and FAPESP provide opportunities for qualified researchers to work with established research teams and supervisors at universities and research institutions in São Paulo.

The fellowship supports research in natural, applied, and social sciences. Applicants must develop a research proposal connected to an ongoing FAPESP-funded research project and secure acceptance from an eligible supervisor at a host institution.

Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support

Selected researchers receive postdoctoral fellowship support under the FAPESP programme.

The official call for proposals contains detailed information about the financial assistance available, including the applicable fellowship support and funding conditions.

Applicants should consult the official programme documentation for the complete financial benefits rather than relying on unverified funding estimates.

Additional opportunities include:

• Conducting postdoctoral research at a Brazilian host institution.

• Collaborating with established researchers and research teams.

• Developing international academic and scientific connections.

• Gaining research experience in a new institutional environment.

• Contributing to research projects across eligible scientific disciplines.

Fellowship duration: Up to 12 months.

Host country: Brazil.

Host location: State of São Paulo.

Eligible Fields of Study

The fellowship accepts research proposals in the following disciplines:

1. Agricultural Sciences

2. Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

3. Biological Systems and Organisms

4. Medical and Health Sciences, including Neurosciences

5. Chemical Sciences

6. Engineering Sciences

7. Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

8. Mathematical Sciences

9. Physics

10. Social and Economic Sciences

Applicants must ensure that their proposed research falls within an eligible discipline and meets FAPESP's research requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

The TWAS–FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended for qualified researchers from developing countries.

Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

• Be permanent residents and natives of a country classified as a developing country under the TWAS eligibility list.

• Not hold a temporary or permanent residence visa in Brazil or any developed country.

• Not already be residing in Brazil at the time of application.

• Hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification in a natural, applied, or social science discipline.

• Have obtained their doctoral degree within the seven years preceding the application.

• Obtain official acceptance from an eligible supervisor at a host institution in the State of São Paulo.

• Demonstrate sufficient written and spoken English proficiency to undertake the proposed research. This must be confirmed through a formal statement from the supervisor.

There is no specified age limit for applicants.

Important: Applicants must also meet the applicable FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship requirements. Meeting the nationality and academic requirements alone does not guarantee eligibility.

Host Institutions and Research Supervisors

Applicants must identify and establish contact with a suitable research supervisor at an eligible institution in São Paulo.

The programme identifies several universities that prospective candidates may contact, including:

• Federal University of ABC (UFABC)

• Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar)

• São Paulo State University (UNESP)

• University of Campinas (UNICAMP)

• University of São Paulo (USP)

• Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp)

Candidates must obtain conditional acceptance from an eligible supervisor.

The research proposal must be closely connected to an ongoing FAPESP-funded research grant.

Application Timeline and Important Dates

The programme has a two-stage application process involving the identification of eligible supervisors and the submission of full research proposals.

All deadlines are based on midnight Brasília Time (BRT).

Important: The November 1, 2026 preliminary expression-of-interest deadline is separate from the April 1, 2027 final proposal deadline. Applicants should check the official call for the current status of the supervisor-selection stage and the next steps available to candidates.

How to Apply

The application process involves two main stages.

Stage 1: Expression of Interest and Supervisor Identification

The first stage allows eligible FAPESP researchers to express their interest in hosting a postdoctoral fellow.

Potential supervisors must submit an Expression of Interest Form through the official programme page.

The form requires information such as:

• Researcher's name.

• Ongoing FAPESP research grant number.

• Grant duration.

• English abstract of the proposed research project.

• Explanation of how the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the existing research grant.

The preliminary submission does not require the proposed candidate's name or a budget.

Eligible potential supervisors are expected to be listed on the programme webpage from December 1, 2026.

Prospective applicants can then identify suitable supervisors and establish contact to discuss research opportunities.

Stage 2: Submission of the Full Research Proposal

After the candidate and supervisor have agreed on the proposed research, the eligible supervisor must submit the full application to FAPESP through its SAGe online system.

The proposal must follow the specified submission route for the UNESCO–TWAS/FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship.

The application requires several supporting documents, including:

1. An English summary of the linked FAPESP research grant.

2. A research proposal of no more than four pages in English.

3. The supervisor's CV summary in English.

4. The applicant's complete official PhD academic transcript.

5. Where applicable, a statement from the principal investigator approving the research grant linkage.

6. A statement from the host institution's director.

7. Documentation confirming the host institution's research infrastructure.

8. A research data management plan of no more than two pages.

9. A formal statement confirming the applicant's English proficiency.

Applicants should carefully review the official call documentation for additional requirements and document specifications.

Additional Documents Required After Selection

Candidates whose proposals are approved must provide further documentation during the contracting process.

These documents include:

• Proof of completion of the PhD degree.

• Evidence of leave or resignation from employment, where applicable.

• A signed declaration confirming the absence of an employment relationship, where applicable.

• A postdoctoral programme development plan using the required FAPESP template.

FAPESP may consider certain employment arrangements where the applicant has an approved leave of absence that allows exclusive dedication to the research project.

Official Application Links

Interested researchers should consult the official programme resources before beginning their applications.

• Official Fellowship Call: https://fapesp.br/18367

• FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Requirements: https://fapesp.br/en/postdoc

• TWAS Developing Countries Eligibility List: https://twas.org/subset/all-developing-countries

• FAPESP Online Submission System: https://sage.fapesp.br/

Contact Information

For questions concerning the fellowship programme, applicants can contact:

TWAS Fellowships Office

ICTP Campus, Strada Costiera 11
34151 Trieste, Italy

Email: fellowships@twas.org

São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

Email: chamada-twas@fapesp.br

For questions about the online submission procedure, applicants and supervisors should contact FAPESP directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for the TWAS–FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship?

Researchers who are permanent residents and natives of eligible developing countries, hold a PhD obtained within the previous seven years, and meet the programme's other eligibility conditions.

2. Where will the fellowship take place?

Successful candidates will conduct their research at eligible host institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

3. How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship supports postdoctoral research for up to 12 months.

4. Is there an age limit?

No age limit is specified in the programme information.

5. Can researchers from any academic discipline apply?

The programme covers eligible areas of natural, applied, and social sciences, including the ten listed research disciplines.

6. Do applicants need to find a supervisor?

Yes. Applicants must obtain official acceptance from an eligible supervisor at a host institution in São Paulo.

7. What is the final application deadline?

The deadline for submitting full research proposals is April 1, 2027. The preliminary expression-of-interest deadline for potential supervisors was November 1, 2026.

Conclusion

The TWAS–FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme provides an international research opportunity for qualified researchers from developing countries seeking to advance their academic careers in Brazil.

By supporting research collaboration with institutions in São Paulo, the programme contributes to scientific exchange and strengthens research partnerships between Brazil and developing countries.

Eligible researchers should review the official requirements, identify potential research supervisors, and prepare their documentation well ahead of the April 1, 2027 full proposal deadline.