FAPESP Investigator Scholarship 2027 in Brazil

Applications are open for the FAPESP Investigator Scholarship 2027 in Brazil, officially called the Young Investigator Grant for International Researchers. The programme supports international researchers who want to establish or consolidate an independent research career at an institution in the State of São Paulo.

The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) plans to support up to 20 researchers under this call. Each research proposal can receive up to BRL 2.5 million, with the possibility of requesting a Young Investigator Fellowship in addition to this funding limit.

The deadline to submit a full proposal is 19 November 2026. Final results are expected from June 2027.

FAPESP Investigator Scholarship 2027 overview

Details	Information
Programme	Young Investigator Grant for International Researchers
Funding organization	São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
Country	Brazil
Location	State of São Paulo
Eligible nationalities	All nationalities
Qualification	PhD
Maximum research funding	BRL 2.5 million per proposal
Project duration	60 months
Number of awards	Up to 20
Proposal language	English
Application system	SAGe
Deadline	19 November 2026
Results	From June 2027
Project start	Before December 2027

The research project must run for 60 months. FAPESP may approve an extension of up to 12 months following evaluation.

What is the FAPESP Investigator Scholarship?

The FAPESP Young Investigator Grant for International Researchers is designed to bring researchers with strong international research experience to São Paulo.

Applicants must plan to establish a research laboratory and develop a dedicated research programme at a university or research institution in the State of São Paulo.

FAPESP expects applicants to show scientific independence, research leadership, original contributions, and significant achievements since completing their doctoral studies.

The call is open to researchers of all nationalities who meet its international experience requirements.

FAPESP Investigator Scholarship funding

The maximum research funding available for each selected proposal is BRL 2,500,000.

A Young Investigator Fellowship can be requested separately and does not count toward the BRL 2.5 million research funding limit. The fellowship can continue for the duration of the grant or until the researcher obtains a permanent position at a university or research institution in São Paulo.

Selected researchers may also receive or request:

• Young Investigator Fellowship
• Relocation support
• Airfare for eligible researchers moving from abroad
• PhD scholarships
• Master’s scholarships
• Scientific Initiation scholarships
• Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Eligible research equipment and project expenses

Only one scholarship or fellowship from each modality can be included in the proposal.

Who can apply?

Researchers from any nationality can apply for the FAPESP Investigator Scholarship 2027.

Applicants must have been living and working abroad for at least 2 years at research institutions. Eligible experience can include postdoctoral appointments, research fellowships, and permanent academic or research positions.

Applicants must also be living abroad when they submit their proposal.

A suitable applicant should:

• Hold a PhD
• Be currently living abroad
• Have worked abroad at research institutions for at least 2 years
• Plan to establish or consolidate a research career in São Paulo
• Demonstrate strong research achievements
• Show scientific independence
• Have the ability to lead an independent research programme
• Plan to establish a research laboratory at a São Paulo institution
• Submit the research proposal in English

FAPESP also expects the researcher to become fully involved with the proposed project and host institution.

Research areas

The 2026 call identifies 7 strategic research themes:

1. Biotechnology
2. Energy transition
3. Biodiversity, sustainable production and food security
4. Digital transition and artificial intelligence
5. Quantum science and technology
6. Human and animal health
7. Public security

Approved artificial intelligence projects will be affiliated with the São Paulo Artificial Intelligence Research Center.

Applicants should make sure their proposed research fits one of the areas listed in the official call.

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Project duration

Selected research projects will run for 60 months, giving researchers up to 5 years to establish and develop their research programme in São Paulo.

FAPESP may extend the project and fellowship for up to another 12 months after evaluation.

Researchers are encouraged to apply for permanent positions at the host institution or other universities and research institutions in São Paulo while carrying out their projects.

Host institution requirements

The research must be carried out at an eligible institution in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Applicants are expected to establish a research laboratory and develop a dedicated research programme at the institution.

The proposed project should have a clearly defined independent research direction led by the applicant. Collaboration with established research groups is permitted and encouraged.

Applicants should therefore identify an appropriate host institution and discuss the proposed research environment before completing their application.

Documents required

FAPESP requires several documents for the full proposal.

Short CV

Applicants need to submit a short CV in English with a maximum length of 5 pages.

The CV should include:

• Scopus ID
• Google Scholar profile
• Web of Science ResearcherID
• Career summary of up to 400 words
• Main scientific achievements
• 5 most important publications
• Applicant’s leadership role in those publications
• 3 significant invited talks
• Academic qualifications
• Previous professional appointments

FAPESP uses this information to assess the researcher’s career, independence, scientific contributions, and ability to lead the proposed programme.

Research trajectory letter

Applicants must prepare a letter of no more than 2 pages explaining how their previous research led to the central idea behind the proposed project.

The letter should identify important findings, scientific experiences, observations, or developments that influenced the proposed research direction.

Research proposal

The research proposal must clearly describe:

• Research objectives
• Scientific rationale
• Originality
• Proposed methods
• Expected contribution to the field
• International competitiveness
• Feasibility
• Research team
• Project timeline

The main body of the research project can be up to 20 pages including references, excluding annexes and supporting documents.

Fellowship work plans

Applicants requesting PhD, Master’s, Scientific Initiation, Postdoctoral, or other eligible fellowships must explain the planned activities for each requested position.

A one-page summary is required for each requested fellowship, covering its research objectives, work plan, and implementation schedule.

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How to apply for the FAPESP Investigator Scholarship 2027

1. Check the eligibility requirements

Confirm that you meet the PhD, international research experience, residence, and research leadership requirements.

Applicants must be residing abroad when submitting their proposal.

2. Identify a host institution in São Paulo

Find a university or research institution in the State of São Paulo that fits your proposed research.

The project should establish an independent research programme and research laboratory at the host institution.

3. Prepare your research project

Write the proposal in English and make sure it fits one of the strategic research areas included in the call.

The project should explain its originality, scientific relevance, expected impact, methodology, feasibility, and international competitiveness.

4. Prepare the required documents

Complete your short CV, research trajectory letter, research proposal, fellowship work plans where applicable, and budget information.

5. Prepare the research budget

Applicants can request up to BRL 2.5 million for the research project.

Vendor quotations are required for capital equipment purchased in Brazil or abroad when its value exceeds 10 times the Brazilian minimum wage.

6. Submit through SAGe

Applications must be submitted through FAPESP’s SAGe online system.

The official application route is:

New Proposal > Special Programs > YIG – Young Investigator Grant > Grant for International Researchers > Call for Proposals (2026).

Applicants should complete and submit all required information before the deadline.

Selection process

FAPESP uses several stages to assess applications.

First, an Evaluation Committee checks whether the applicant and research proposal fit the purpose and expected profile of the programme.

The assessment considers the originality and potential scientific and societal impact of the research, project quality and feasibility, the applicant’s research achievements, and their ability to lead the proposed programme.

Full proposals are then sent to at least 2 external reviewers. A FAPESP evaluation panel considers their assessments and ranks the proposals.

Researchers who receive a final positive recommendation will be invited to an online presentation and interview with the Evaluation Committee.

What does FAPESP consider during evaluation?

The evaluation looks closely at the quality of both the researcher and the proposed project.

FAPESP considers:

• Originality of the research
• Scientific quality
• Feasibility
• Potential scientific and societal impact
• Applicant’s research achievements
• Research leadership
• Independence
• Potential impact on the research field
• Proposed experimental or theoretical strategies
• Ability to build local, regional, and international research cooperation

Applicants should clearly explain how their project differs from existing work and what contribution it could make to its research field.

Relocation support for international researchers

Researchers selected while living abroad can receive relocation support under FAPESP rules.

This support can include airfare for the selected researcher moving to São Paulo.

Applicants should check the applicable FAPESP relocation rules for the exact expenses and conditions before making travel arrangements.

Number of awards

FAPESP plans to award a maximum of 20 fellowships through this call.

The programme targets researchers with internationally recognised expertise who can establish independent and competitive research programmes in São Paulo.

FAPESP Investigator Scholarship 2027 deadline

The deadline for submitting a full proposal is:

19 November 2026

FAPESP plans to announce the final results from June 2027. Selected projects should begin before December 2027 unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Applicants should prepare their host-institution arrangements, research proposal, CV, budget, and supporting documents well before the submission date.

Conclusion

The FAPESP Investigator Scholarship 2027 in Brazil provides international researchers with funding to establish an independent research programme at an institution in the State of São Paulo.

Selected proposals can receive up to BRL 2.5 million in research funding, with a Young Investigator Fellowship available in addition to the project funding limit. Eligible researchers may also receive relocation support and request PhD, Master’s, Scientific Initiation, and Postdoctoral Fellowships for their research team.

Applications must be submitted through FAPESP’s SAGe system by 19 November 2026.