Postdoctoral researchers from developing countries can access a range of international research opportunities through fellowships offered by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and its partner institutions.
These programmes are designed to help scientists who have recently completed their PhDs gain advanced research experience by working with established researchers and institutions in other developing countries. Depending on the programme, fellowships can support research visits lasting from several months to as long as three years.
The opportunities cover a broad range of scientific disciplines, including agricultural sciences, biological sciences, medical and health sciences, engineering, chemistry, mathematics, physics, astronomy, earth sciences, and social and economic sciences.
For researchers seeking international exposure after completing a doctorate, these fellowships can provide an opportunity to strengthen research skills, develop international collaborations and contribute to scientific capacity building in the developing world.
TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowships at International Research Institutions
TWAS describes its postdoctoral fellowship portfolio as an opportunity for scientists from developing countries who have recently earned their PhDs to gain valuable experience working with prominent colleagues in other developing countries.
The duration varies considerably between programmes. Some fellowships provide short research stays of six months, while others support research for 12, 18, 24 or even 36 months.
Applicants should therefore assess each individual programme carefully because eligibility requirements, host countries, academic disciplines, duration and application deadlines differ.
Important Application Requirements
TWAS states that applications must be submitted through its online portal and only when the relevant programme call is open.
One particularly important requirement is the preliminary acceptance letter.
Applicants are required to upload a preliminary acceptance letter issued in the same year as the application by their selected host institution. TWAS recommends that candidates begin seeking this letter as early as possible, including before the official application call opens.
Applicants should also note that they may apply for only one programme per calendar year within the TWAS and OWSD portfolio and cannot visit another institution during that year under another TWAS programme.
TWAS-CUI Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
The TWAS-CUI Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme supports young scientists from developing countries, excluding Pakistan, who want to undertake postdoctoral research in natural or social sciences.
The programme is hosted in Pakistan and has a maximum duration of six months, with the possibility of a no-cost extension for an additional six months under the programme’s conditions.
The listed minimum qualification is a PhD obtained within the last five years. Eligible fields include interdisciplinary research, engineering sciences and social and economic sciences.
The source currently marks this call as closed.
TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship for Least Developed Countries
Another programme is the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Least Developed Countries.
It is offered jointly by TWAS and the Research Support Foundation of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP) in Brazil.
The fellowship is designed for researchers from Least Developed Countries and covers natural, applied and social sciences.
The programme provides research opportunities in Brazil for periods ranging from 12 to 24 months. Applicants must have obtained their PhD within the previous seven years.
The fellowship covers a particularly broad range of fields, including:
- Agricultural sciences
- Structural, cell and molecular biology
- Biological systems and organisms
- Medical and health sciences
- Chemical sciences
- Engineering sciences
- Astronomy, space and earth sciences
- Mathematical sciences
- Physics
- Social and economic sciences
The source currently lists this call as closed.
TWAS-TÜBİTAK Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
The TWAS-TÜBİTAK Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme provides research opportunities for foreign scholars from developing countries in natural and related applied sciences.
Researchers can undertake postdoctoral research in departments and laboratories of public and private universities in Türkiye, as well as TÜBİTAK research centres and institutes.
The fellowship can last from six months to 36 months, making it one of the longer-duration programmes in the TWAS portfolio. Applicants must hold a PhD, while the listed age limit is 45.
Eligible fields include agricultural sciences, molecular biology, biological systems, medical and health sciences, chemistry, engineering, astronomy and earth sciences, mathematics and physics.
The current source marks the call as closed.
TWAS-SN Bose Postdoctoral Fellowship
The TWAS-SN Bose Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is designed for researchers from developing countries who want to undertake postdoctoral research in the physical sciences.
The host institution is the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata, India.
The fellowship can last between six and 12 months and covers areas including chemical sciences, mathematical sciences and physics.
Applicants must hold a PhD and the listed age limit is 45.
Importantly, TWAS currently states that no call will open in 2026 for this programme.
TWAS-NCP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
The TWAS-NCP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme supports young scientists from developing countries, excluding Pakistan, who want to conduct postdoctoral research in physical sciences.
Research takes place in departments and laboratories of the National Centre for Physics in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The fellowship lasts between six and 12 months and focuses on astronomy, space and earth sciences and physics.
TWAS currently states that no call will open in 2026.
TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
The TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is aimed at young scientists from developing countries, excluding Pakistan, interested in research at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences in Karachi.
The programme covers research areas such as:
- Organic chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Molecular medicine
- Pharmacology
- Physical chemistry
The fellowship can last between six and 12 months. Applicants must hold a PhD, and the listed age limit is 45.
TWAS currently indicates that no call will open in 2026.
TWAS-DBT Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
The TWAS-DBT Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is offered through the Department of Biotechnology of India’s Ministry of Science and Technology in partnership with TWAS.
It is intended for researchers from developing countries seeking postdoctoral research opportunities in biotechnology.
The programme supports research stays lasting from 12 to 18 months and covers agricultural sciences, structural and molecular biology, biological systems and organisms, medical and health sciences, and chemical sciences.
The listed age limit is 45.
TWAS currently states that no call will open in 2026.
TWAS-CSIR Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
The TWAS-CSIR Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme supports young scientists from developing countries, excluding India, who want to conduct postdoctoral research in emerging areas of science and technology.
Research is conducted in laboratories and institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in India.
The fellowship can last for up to 12 months and covers a wide range of scientific fields, including agricultural sciences, biology, medicine, chemistry, engineering, astronomy, mathematics and physics.
Applicants must hold a PhD, and the listed age limit is 45.
The source currently states that no call will open in 2026.
TWAS-COMSTECH Science in Exile Postdoctoral Fellowship
TWAS also lists the UNESCO-TWAS–COMSTECH Science in Exile Fellowship Programme for displaced and refugee scientists.
The programme was established through a partnership between UNESCO-TWAS and the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
It provides displaced and refugee scientists who have not yet found a safe and long-term host country with an opportunity to pursue postdoctoral studies in Pakistan at institutions belonging to the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence.
The fellowship can last for up to 12 months and covers a broad range of scientific disciplines.
The current call is listed as closed.
TWAS-IsDB Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
The TWAS page also contains information about the TWAS-IsDB Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme, which was designed for early-career researchers from 21 least developed member countries of the Islamic Development Bank.
The programme supported research related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and provided high-level training in areas connected with sustainability science.
The listed fellowship duration was between three and six months.
However, TWAS currently states that this programme has been discontinued, so prospective applicants should not treat it as an active fellowship opportunity.
Who Can Benefit From TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowships?
The fellowship portfolio is particularly relevant to researchers who:
- Have recently completed a PhD
- Are from eligible developing countries
- Want international research experience
- Have established a clear research direction
- Can identify an appropriate host institution
- Want to develop international scientific collaborations
- Are working in eligible scientific or social science disciplines
However, there is no single eligibility rule covering every TWAS postdoctoral programme.
For example, some programmes require a PhD obtained within the last five years, while others allow a longer period. Some have age limits, while others list no age limit.
How to Prepare a Competitive Application
Because a preliminary acceptance letter from the proposed host institution is required, prospective applicants should begin preparation early.
Identify a Suitable Research Host
Start by identifying universities, research centres or laboratories whose research interests closely match your proposed project.
A strong academic fit can help you develop a more focused research plan and improve the quality of your communication with potential supervisors.
Contact the Host Institution Early
TWAS specifically encourages applicants to request their preliminary acceptance letters early, even before the relevant fellowship call opens.
This is particularly important because waiting until the application deadline approaches can leave insufficient time to establish a research connection and obtain the required documentation.
Develop a Clear Research Proposal
Your research proposal should explain the scientific problem you intend to investigate, the methodology you plan to use and why the host institution is appropriate for the work.
Applicants should ensure that their proposed research falls within the specific programme’s eligible fields.
Check the Country Requirements
Eligibility varies between programmes.
Some opportunities are specifically restricted to researchers from Least Developed Countries, while others are open to developing countries more broadly.
The TWAS website provides country eligibility lists for its programmes.
Check the Current Call Status
Applicants should not assume that a fellowship listed on the TWAS postdoctoral page is currently accepting applications.
The source shows several different statuses, including closed, no call will open in 2026, and discontinued.
Always verify the individual programme page before beginning an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these TWAS fellowships hosted in the United States?
Not according to the supplied source. The programmes listed in the source are hosted in countries including Pakistan, Brazil, Türkiye and India.
Therefore, the title “Postdoctoral Fellowships at Leading US Research Institutions” would not accurately describe the source material.
Who are TWAS postdoctoral fellowships for?
They are generally intended for scientists from developing countries who have recently earned their PhDs and want to gain international postdoctoral research experience.
Do all programmes have the same duration?
No. Fellowship duration varies by programme, ranging from approximately three or six months to as long as three years across the TWAS postdoctoral portfolio.
Is a host institution acceptance letter required?
Yes. TWAS states that applicants need to upload a preliminary acceptance letter issued in the same year as the application by their chosen host institution.
Can I apply for more than one TWAS programme?
TWAS states that candidates may apply for only one programme per calendar year within the TWAS and OWSD portfolio.
Are all the programmes currently open?
No. The supplied source shows that some calls are closed, some will not open in 2026, and one listed programme has been discontinued. Applicants should check the individual programme page for the latest status.
Final Thoughts
TWAS postdoctoral fellowships provide an important pathway for researchers from developing countries seeking advanced international research experience.
The portfolio spans numerous disciplines and research destinations, from engineering and physics to biotechnology, health sciences, agriculture and social sciences.
For prospective applicants, one of the most important lessons is to start early. Securing the required preliminary acceptance letter from a host institution can be an important part of the application process, and TWAS explicitly encourages applicants to begin this process before the relevant call opens.
Researchers should also carefully distinguish between active calls, closed programmes and opportunities that are not scheduled to open in a particular year. The status of each fellowship can change, so the individual TWAS programme page should always be treated as the final authority.
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