FAPESP Young Investigator Grant for International Researchers 2026

About this opportunity

The Young Investigator Grant for International Researchers is FAPESP's way of attracting scientific talent to the State of Sao Paulo. The Foundation is a public research funding agency of the state, and through this 2026 international call it expects to support up to 20 researchers who can establish or consolidate independent, internationally competitive research programmes.

The scale of support is what draws attention. The maximum funding available per proposal is BRL 2,500,000.00, that is two million five hundred thousand Brazilian reais, and a Young Investigator Fellowship may be requested in addition to that limit. Projects must run for 60 months, with a possible extension of up to 12 additional months on request and subject to evaluation by FAPESP. Successful applicants are expected to establish a research laboratory and a dedicated programme at an institution in the state, not to conduct a visiting project from abroad.

Eligibility

is specific. Researchers of all nationalities may apply, but you must have been living and working abroad for at least two years after completing your PhD, in postdoctoral appointments, research fellowships, permanent academic or research positions or other qualifying appointments, and you must still be residing abroad when you submit. The research line must be your own, so collaborations with established groups are encouraged while joining someone else's project as a supporting researcher is not the point of the call.

Proposals must fall within FAPESP's strategic themes: biotechnology, energy transition, biodiversity, sustainable production and food security, digital transition and artificial intelligence, quantum science and technology, human and animal health, and public security. Projects approved under the artificial intelligence theme will be affiliated with the recently established Sao Paulo Artificial Intelligence Research Center, supported by FAPESP, MCTI/CGI.br and Sao Paulo State Universities. Submission is through the SAGe system, the

Application timeline

for full proposals is 19 November 2026, results are expected from June 2027 and successful projects should normally begin before December 2027.

What you receive

Up to BRL 2,500,000.00 in project funding per proposal
A Young Investigator Fellowship that may be requested in addition to the funding limit and can run for the full duration of the grant
PhD, Master's, Scientific Initiation scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships for research team members, one of each modality per proposal
Relocation support for successful applicants living abroad, which can include airfare under FAPESP's applicable rules
A 60 month project duration, extendable by up to 12 additional months on request and subject to evaluation by FAPESP
A pathway toward a longer term research career in Sao Paulo, since Principal Investigators are encouraged to apply for permanent positions during the project
Affiliation with the Sao Paulo Artificial Intelligence Research Center for projects approved under the artificial intelligence theme
Up to 20 fellowships awarded through this international call

Who can apply

A completed PhD
At least two years of living and working abroad after completing the PhD, in postdoctoral appointments, research fellowships, permanent academic or research positions or other qualifying appointments at research institutions
Residing abroad at the time the proposal is submitted
Open to researchers of all nationalities
A clearly defined and independent research line led by the applicant
Preparedness to establish a research laboratory and a dedicated research programme at an eligible institution in the State of Sao Paulo
A proposal within one of the strategic research themes identified by FAPESP
Evidence of original scientific contributions, research independence, leadership capacity, scientific impact and international research experience since the doctorate
The research proposal must be submitted in English

Who should not apply

Researchers who are not living and working abroad for at least two years after their PhD, or who are not residing abroad at submission, do not meet the eligibility conditions
Proposals that place the applicant as a supporting researcher inside an existing group's project rather than leading an independent research line
Applications that rely only on holding a PhD, since FAPESP expects significant achievements after the doctorate
Projects outside the strategic research themes identified for this call
Temporary research visits instead of establishing a laboratory and programme in the State of Sao Paulo
More than one scholarship or fellowship of the same modality within a single proposal

Documents to prepare

Short CV in English of no more than five pages, including Scopus ID, Google Scholar profile and Web of Science ResearcherID
Career summary of no more than 400 words within the CV
Identification of your five most important publications, with your leadership role and their scientific impact
Identification of your three most significant invited talks, plus academic degrees and previous professional appointments
Research trajectory letter of no more than two pages, explaining how your trajectory led to the proposed project
Research project of no more than 20 pages including references, excluding annexes and supporting documents
One page summary for each requested fellowship, covering research objectives, work plan and implementation schedule
Budget items entered through the SAGe system, with vendor quotations for capital equipment purchased in Brazil or abroad above the FAPESP threshold
All materials submitted in English

How to apply

Read the official call at https://fapesp.br/en/18389/call-for-proposals-fapesp-young-investigator-grant-for-international-researchers and confirm the strategic theme your project belongs to
Check that you satisfy the residency conditions, living and working abroad for at least two years after your PhD and residing abroad at submission
Identify the eligible research institution in the State of Sao Paulo where your laboratory and programme will be based
Register for access to FAPESP's SAGe system at https://sage.fapesp.br/
In SAGe, follow the menu path New Proposal, then Special Programs, then YIG Young Investigator Grant, then Grant for International Researchers, then Call for Proposals (2026)
Prepare the short CV, research trajectory letter, research project and any fellowship work plans, all in English
Enter the requested budget items in SAGe and attach vendor quotations for capital equipment above the FAPESP threshold
Submit the full proposal before the deadline of 19 November 2026 and keep confirmation of your submission
Return to the official programme pages at https://fapesp.br/en/yig for updates on evaluation and interview stages

Selection process

The process has three major stages: proposal submission, evaluation by external reviewers within FAPESP's evaluation process, then an online presentation and interview for selected candidates
An Evaluation Committee assesses whether the applicant and the proposed research align with the objectives and expected profile of the international Young Investigator Grant
Assessment covers originality and innovation, potential scientific impact, potential societal impact, scientific quality, research relevance, project feasibility and the potential contribution to advancing knowledge
The committee also weighs the applicant's scientific background, research achievements and career trajectory
Full proposals are sent to at least two external reviewers, and a FAPESP evaluation panel considers those assessments when reviewing applications
Reviewers also consider whether the applicant can establish new strategic collaborations at local, regional and international levels while maintaining scientific independence
Candidates whose full proposals receive a positive recommendation may be invited to an online oral presentation and interview with members of the Evaluation Committee
Final results are expected from June 2027, and successful projects should normally begin before December 2027 except in exceptional circumstances

Sources and verification

Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.

Questions applicants ask

How much funding can I request?

The maximum funding available per proposal is BRL 2,500,000.00, that is two million five hundred thousand Brazilian reais. A Young Investigator Fellowship may also be requested in addition to that limit.

Is this open to researchers of any nationality?

Yes. Researchers of all nationalities may apply, provided they have lived and worked abroad for at least two years after completing their PhD and are still residing abroad when they submit.

How many fellowships are awarded?

A maximum of 20 fellowships will be awarded in this call, and the expected support is for up to 20 researchers.

How long does the project last?

The proposed research project must have a duration of 60 months. On request and following evaluation by FAPESP, the project and the fellowship may be extended for up to 12 months.

Can I bring a team?

You may request scholarships and fellowships for team members under FAPESP rules, in categories such as PhD, Master's, Scientific Initiation and postdoctoral fellowships. For this call only one scholarship or fellowship of each modality can be included, and each requested fellowship needs a one page summary of objectives, work plan and schedule.

Which research areas are eligible?

Biotechnology, energy transition, biodiversity, sustainable production and food security, digital transition and artificial intelligence, quantum science and technology, human and animal health, and public security.

What language must the proposal be in?

Research proposals must be submitted in English.

Where do I apply and by when?

Applications are submitted through FAPESP's SAGe system at https://sage.fapesp.br/. The deadline for submission of full proposals is 19 November 2026.

Important disclaimer

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