THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (TWAS) AND ICCBS, UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI
TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship Programme
living only · phd
- Monthly living stipendFunding type
- ~€3,000–€7,000 (est.)Estimated total stipend
- 6–12 monthsFellowship duration
- Age 35 or youngerEligibility limit
- No tuition feesCost to fellow
- TWAS Centre of ExcellenceHost status
At a glance
living only
Funding
€7k
Max amount
Aug 14, 2026
Deadline
Citizens of developing countries (excluding Pakistan); applicants must not hold residency in Pakistan or any developed country
Country
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and ICCBS, University of Karachi
Provider
The TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship Programme is a fully funded PhD sandwich fellowship offered by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and hosted at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, Pakistan. It allows young scientists from developing countries to spend part of their doctoral research, typically a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months, at ICCBS, which is a TWAS Centre of Excellence. The aim is to strengthen research capacity in the Global South. The language of instruction is English, and eligible research areas include agricultural sciences, structural biology, molecular and cell biology, biological systems and organisms, medical and health sciences including neurosciences, and chemical sciences. The fellowship provides a monthly stipend covering living expenses such as food, housing, and local transport, estimated at around 3,000 to 7,000 EUR (est.) over the full term, plus free access to ICCBS's advanced research facilities and supervision by host scientists; there are no tuition fees. The stipend is not convertible to foreign currency and does not cover accompanying family members. Applicants must be citizens of a developing country other than Pakistan, be 35 or younger by 31 December of the application year, hold a Master's in the natural sciences, and be registered PhD students in their home country. Because the stipend, duration, and dates are confirmed with ICCBS each cycle, confirm the current 2026 figures and the deadline on the official TWAS opportunity page before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A monthly stipend covering living expenses such as food, housing, and local transport, estimated at around €3,000–€7,000 (est.) across the full 6–12 month term.
- Research facilities — Free access to ICCBS's advanced research facilities and equipment for the duration of the fellowship.
- Supervision and mentorship — Mentorship and supervision by leading host scientists at ICCBS, a TWAS Centre of Excellence.
- No tuition fees — No tuition fees are charged for the sandwich research placement at ICCBS.
- Research placement — A structured PhD sandwich research stay of 6 to 12 months (duration confirmed with ICCBS) toward a doctorate registered in the home country.
How to apply
You first secure a preliminary acceptance letter from ICCBS, then prepare your documents and submit the application through the official TWAS online portal.
- Obtain a preliminary acceptance letter — Contact the host scientist at ICCBS (Prof. Dr. Raza Shah) with your CV (max 2 pages), most recent academic degree, two signed reference letters, and a brief research proposal to obtain a preliminary acceptance letter.
- Prepare your documents — Gather the preliminary acceptance letter, the no-objection certificate from your home university, a health certificate, proof of English proficiency if applicable, and two signed reference letters.
- Register on the TWAS portal — Visit the official TWAS opportunity page and create an account on the TWAS online application portal.
- Complete the online application — Fill in the online application form and upload all required documents, ensuring you apply to only one TWAS or OWSD programme this calendar year.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit the completed application before the deadline around 14 August 2026 (est.).
Eligibility
NationalityMust be a citizen of a developing country other than Pakistan.
AgeMust be 35 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the application year.
QualificationsMust hold a Master's degree in the natural sciences and be a registered PhD student in their home country, with proof.
Documents and commitmentMust provide a preliminary acceptance letter from ICCBS, a no-objection certificate from the home university, a recent medical certificate, two reference letters, and English proficiency, and must commit to returning home afterward.
The stipend is not convertible to foreign currency, and no financial support is provided for accompanying family members. Applicants may apply to only one TWAS or OWSD programme per calendar year.
Eligible countries
Citizens of developing countries (excluding Pakistan); applicants must not hold residency in Pakistan or any developed country
Deadlines
2026 cycle~14 August 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed by TWAS and ICCBS on the strength of the research proposal, academic record, the host scientist's preliminary acceptance, and the candidate's potential to contribute to science in their home country. A complete document set, including the no-objection certificate and reference letters, is required to be considered.
Verified sources
- TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship Programmetwas.orgofficial
About the provider
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is a global science academy that supports research in developing countries; this fellowship is hosted at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, a TWAS Centre of Excellence.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship?
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Citizens of developing countries other than Pakistan who are 35 or younger, hold a Master's in the natural sciences, and are registered PhD students in their home country.
Is this a full PhD or a sandwich fellowship?
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It is a PhD sandwich fellowship: you remain registered for your doctorate at home and spend 6 to 12 months conducting research at ICCBS in Karachi.
Where is the fellowship hosted?
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At the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Pakistan, a TWAS Centre of Excellence.
What does the fellowship cover?
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A monthly stipend for living expenses, free access to research facilities, supervision by host scientists, and no tuition fees.
What is the estimated value of the stipend?
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Around €3,000–€7,000 (est.) across the full 6–12 month term; confirm the exact monthly rate with ICCBS and on the official page.
How long does the fellowship last?
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A minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months, with the exact duration confirmed with ICCBS.
What is the age limit?
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Applicants must be 35 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the application year.
Which research fields are eligible?
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Agricultural sciences, structural biology, molecular and cell biology, biological systems and organisms, medical and health sciences including neurosciences, and chemical sciences.
What documents do I need?
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A CV, preliminary acceptance letter from ICCBS, a no-objection certificate from your home university, a medical certificate, English-proficiency proof, and two reference letters.
How do I apply?
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First obtain a preliminary acceptance letter from ICCBS, then submit your application through the official TWAS online portal before the deadline.
When is the application deadline?
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The deadline is around 14 August 2026 (est.); check the official TWAS opportunity page for the confirmed current-cycle date.
Can I apply to more than one TWAS programme?
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No. Applicants can apply to only one TWAS or OWSD programme per calendar year.