TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2027 in Brazil for Developing Countries | Fully Funded Research Opportunity

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2027 offers postdoctoral research opportunities in Brazil to researchers from developing countries. The programme is offered by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in partnership with the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and supports research across natural, applied and social sciences.

Successful fellowship candidates will conduct their research at eligible host institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, for up to 12 months.

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TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 Overview

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is designed for researchers from developing countries who have recently obtained a PhD and want to undertake advanced postdoctoral research in Brazil.

The fellowship provides an opportunity to work with researchers and supervisors at universities and research institutions in São Paulo State while contributing to an ongoing FAPESP-supported research project.

Opportunity: TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
Host country: Brazil
Host region: State of São Paulo
Level: Postdoctoral Research
Duration: Up to 12 months
Eligible applicants: Researchers from developing countries
Minimum qualification: PhD obtained within the last 7 years
Fields: Natural, applied and social sciences
Age limit: None
Final proposal deadline: 1 April 2027
Preliminary proposal deadline: 1 November 2026
Expected start: From August 2027

About TWAS and FAPESP

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) promotes scientific capacity and sustainable development in developing countries.

The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a major research funding organisation in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Through this fellowship programme, TWAS and FAPESP provide researchers from developing countries with an opportunity to undertake postdoctoral research in São Paulo.

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship therefore combines international research mobility with collaboration involving FAPESP-supported research projects.

TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is available across a broad range of scientific disciplines.

The fellowship can last for up to 12 months and must be undertaken at an eligible host institution in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Applicants must first identify and contact potential supervisors at universities or research institutions in São Paulo State. A conditional acceptance letter from an appropriate supervisor is required as part of the application process.

The research project proposed by the fellowship candidate must be closely linked to the relevant ongoing FAPESP-funded research project.

Fields of Study

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship covers the following broad areas:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Biological Systems and Organisms
• Medical and Health Sciences, including Neurosciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Engineering Sciences
• Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics
• Social and Economic Sciences

This broad academic coverage makes the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship relevant to researchers working across many areas of natural, applied and social sciences.

Who Is Eligible for the TWAS-FAPESP Fellowship?

To apply for the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship, candidates must meet both the relevant FAPESP requirements and the specific eligibility conditions of the programme.

Applicants must:

• Be permanent residents and nationals of a developing country listed by TWAS.
• Not hold a temporary or permanent residence visa in Brazil or a developed country.
• Not already be residing in Brazil when applying.
• Hold a doctorate or equivalent degree in natural, applied or social sciences.
• Have obtained the PhD within the previous seven years.
• Obtain official acceptance from a supervisor at an eligible host institution in São Paulo State.
• Demonstrate sufficient oral and written English proficiency for the proposed research activities.

There is no age limit stated for applicants.

Important Supervisor Requirement

An important part of the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship application is identifying an eligible supervisor.

Applicants are required to contact potential advisors at universities or research institutions in São Paulo State and obtain a conditional acceptance letter.

Potential supervisors must meet FAPESP’s eligibility requirements and generally need to be associated with an eligible ongoing FAPESP research project.

The relevant ongoing FAPESP research grant must remain valid until at least August 2027.

The same supervisor cannot submit more than one proposal under this particular call.

Universities in São Paulo State

Potential applicants can explore research opportunities with institutions including:

Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)

UFABC is one of the universities listed for potential collaboration under the programme.

Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR)

Researchers can explore potential research supervision and collaboration opportunities at UFSCAR.

Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

UNESP is another major São Paulo State institution included in the programme information.

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)

UNICAMP offers research opportunities across numerous scientific disciplines and is listed among the relevant institutions.

Universidade de São Paulo (USP)

USP is one of Brazil’s major research universities and is included among the institutions identified for potential supervisors.

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp)

Unifesp is also listed among the São Paulo institutions relevant to the fellowship programme.

Applicants should contact potential supervisors directly and ensure that their proposed research matches the supervisor’s research interests and eligible FAPESP project.

TWAS-FAPESP Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support

The official call states that the fellowship provides financial support, with the detailed financial provisions contained in the official Call for Proposals.

Because the exact financial support should be taken from the current official call rather than assumed, applicants should carefully review the official programme documentation before preparing their financial plans.

The major opportunity benefits include:

• Postdoctoral research experience in Brazil
• Research placement in the State of São Paulo
• Collaboration with an eligible FAPESP-supported research project
• Access to a Brazilian research environment
• International research networking
• Opportunity to work with an eligible academic supervisor
• Up to 12 months of postdoctoral research
• Exposure to international scientific collaboration
• Research experience across eligible natural, applied and social science fields

Application Timeline

Applicants should pay close attention to the different stages of the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 application process.

Application Stage	Date
Call opens	8 September 2026
Preliminary proposal / Expression of Interest deadline	1 November 2026
Potential supervisors announced	1 December 2026
Full proposal deadline	1 April 2027
Selected proposals published	August 2027
Approved projects begin	From August 2027

The stated deadlines are based on midnight Brasília Time (BRT).

How to Apply for the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship application involves multiple stages.

Step 1: Identify a Potential Supervisor

Candidates should research universities and eligible researchers in São Paulo State whose research interests align with their proposed postdoctoral project.

Applicants should contact potential supervisors and discuss the proposed research.

Step 2: Supervisor Expression of Interest

Potential supervisors submit an Expression of Interest to FAPESP.

The expression of interest includes information such as:

• Researcher’s name
• Ongoing FAPESP grant number
• Grant duration
• English abstract of the proposed research
• Explanation of how the fellowship research will contribute to the ongoing FAPESP project

The candidate’s name and budget are not required at this stage.

Step 3: Potential Supervisor List

Eligible supervisors are expected to be listed after the Expression of Interest stage.

The list is scheduled to become available on 1 December 2026.

This list is intended to help prospective postdoctoral applicants identify potential supervisors.

Step 4: Develop the Research Proposal

After the supervisor and candidate establish an appropriate research arrangement, the supervisor submits the proposal to FAPESP under the relevant postdoctoral fellowship modality.

The proposed research must be closely connected to the ongoing FAPESP-funded research project.

Step 5: Submit Required Documents

The full application requires several supporting documents, including:

• Summary of the linked FAPESP research grant project
• Research project in English, with a maximum of four pages
• Supervisor’s CV summary
• Complete official PhD academic record
• Relevant statement from the researcher responsible for the linked grant, where applicable
• Host institution statement
• Information concerning institutional research infrastructure
• Data Management Plan of up to two pages
• Formal statement confirming required foreign-language proficiency

Additional documentation may be required if the proposal is approved for contracting.

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Research Project Requirements

The research project is a particularly important part of the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship application.

The proposed project must be closely connected to the FAPESP research project to which the fellowship proposal is linked.

The fellowship research proposal must be presented in English and should not exceed four pages, according to the programme requirements.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their research proposal clearly demonstrates:

• The research problem
• Research objectives
• Methodology
• Expected contribution
• Connection to the supervisor’s FAPESP-funded project
• Scientific relevance
• Feasibility within the fellowship period

Documents Required After Selection

For approved candidates, additional documents are required for contracting.

These include:

• Certificate confirming completion of the PhD
• Proof of leave or resignation for applicants employed during their stay in São Paulo, where applicable
• Relevant declaration if the applicant has no employment relationship
• Development plan for the postdoctoral programme

Applicants should carefully follow FAPESP instructions because employment arrangements can affect eligibility and contracting.

How Competitive Is the Fellowship?

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship is a specialised international research opportunity with a multi-stage selection process.

Applicants can strengthen their application by ensuring that their academic background, research experience, proposed project and prospective supervisor are closely aligned.

A strong application should demonstrate a clear connection between the candidate’s expertise and the research project supported by FAPESP.

CV Preparation for the TWAS-FAPESP Fellowship

Before applying for the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship, candidates should make sure their academic CV clearly presents:

• PhD qualification and completion date
• Research specialisation
• Academic publications
• Research projects
• Relevant professional experience
• Conference participation
• Research collaborations
• Technical and analytical skills
• Awards and academic achievements
• Relevant international research experience

The CV should be consistent with the proposed postdoctoral research project.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid common problems such as:

• Waiting until the final deadline to contact supervisors
• Contacting supervisors whose research does not match the proposed project
• Ignoring the seven-year PhD requirement
• Failing to check developing-country eligibility
• Submitting incomplete academic transcripts
• Preparing a research proposal that is not linked to the relevant FAPESP project
• Missing the preliminary Expression of Interest deadline
• Ignoring FAPESP documentation requirements
• Assuming that eligibility automatically guarantees selection
• Failing to check the official call for updated requirements

Career Benefits of a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Brazil

A postdoctoral research experience through the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme can contribute to an academic researcher’s professional development.

Researchers may gain experience in:

• International research collaboration
• Advanced scientific research
• Academic publishing
• Research project management
• Cross-border scientific networks
• University-based research
• Research partnerships between developing countries and Brazil

The experience may also support future applications for academic positions, research grants, scientific collaborations and other international fellowship opportunities.

Why Developing-Country Researchers Should Review This Fellowship

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is specifically designed for researchers from developing countries.

The programme provides an opportunity to conduct postdoctoral research in Brazil while working within the São Paulo research environment.

For eligible PhD holders who obtained their doctorate within the required seven-year period, the fellowship represents an opportunity to explore international scientific collaboration across a wide range of disciplines.

Important Deadline

The preliminary Expression of Interest deadline is 1 November 2026, while the full proposal deadline is 1 April 2027.

Applicants should not wait until April 2027 to begin the process because finding an eligible supervisor and developing the research proposal are important early steps.

Official Application Information

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2027 is administered through TWAS and FAPESP.

Applicants should review the complete official Call for Proposals and FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship requirements before applying.

Official programme: TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
Host country: Brazil
Duration: Up to 12 months
Eligibility: Researchers from developing countries
PhD requirement: PhD obtained within the last 7 years
Final deadline: 1 April 2027
Preliminary deadline: 1 November 2026
Expected start: From August 2027

For application questions concerning the online submission procedure, applicants and supervisors can contact FAPESP at chamada-twas@fapesp.br. General fellowship enquiries can be directed to fellowships@twas.org.

Final Thoughts

The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2027 provides an international postdoctoral research opportunity for eligible researchers from developing countries. With placements of up to 12 months in the State of São Paulo and opportunities across natural, applied and social sciences, the programme can support researchers seeking international academic and research experience.

Interested candidates should begin by reviewing their eligibility, identifying suitable research supervisors and preparing a research proposal that aligns closely with an eligible FAPESP-funded project.

The most important dates to remember are 1 November 2026 for the preliminary Expression of Interest stage and 1 April 2027 for the full proposal submission deadline.