European ARISE2 Fellowships 2026
Europe’s premier life sciences laboratory seeks postdoctoral researchers who want more than traditional academic publishing routes. The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) offers the ARISE2 Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2026 for scientists ready to develop technologies, services, and data systems that underpin modern biological research.
About the Fellowship
ARISE2 stands for Career Accelerator for Research Infrastructure Scientists. This Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND programme deliberately diverges from conventional postdoctoral schemes. Instead of prioritizing paper production, it emphasizes creating new methods, scientific instruments, software solutions, data tools, AI systems, imaging workflows, and omics platforms that benefit entire research communities.
Consequently, the 2026 call attracts researchers working across diverse fields. Biology, biotechnology, physics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, computer science, bioinformatics, data science, imaging, structural biology, genomics, proteomics, automation, and AI-driven life sciences all find relevance here. The most competitive applicants will demonstrate how their work extends beyond single laboratories to become broadly useful services or transferable research infrastructure.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows receive a three-year employment contract at EMBL rather than traditional scholarship status. This distinction matters because researchers gain employee benefits rather than temporary student support. The comprehensive package provides:
- Competitive postdoctoral salary with social security coverage
- Access to EMBL’s world-class research facilities
- Professional training and career development support
- Structured secondment opportunities with partner organizations
- Leadership, communication, and project management training
- Technology transfer and entrepreneurship guidance
Nevertheless, prospective applicants should understand this differs from student scholarships. The available information does not specify fixed monthly stipends, tuition coverage, book allowances, visa reimbursement, or accommodation packages. Candidates should approach this as salaried employment with institutional benefits rather than itemized funding for educational expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
The programme welcomes experienced researchers holding PhDs by the application deadline. Candidates who have defended their doctoral theses but await formal degree conferral may also qualify. This flexibility helps researchers caught in university administrative delays.
Prior technology or method development experience remains essential. This background may come from academic or non-academic settings, but must connect meaningfully with EMBL research infrastructures or services. Additionally, applicants face restrictions regarding previous EMBL association. Any prior connection must not exceed twelve months during the three years before the application deadline. Furthermore, candidates must declare any previous EMBL links transparently.
This programme does not suit researchers seeking general research stays without infrastructure focus. Proposed projects should develop or improve methods serving other researchers. Attention to FAIR data management, automation, user needs, and international transferability strengthens applications considerably.
Advantages of the Fellowship
EMBL stands among Europe’s central molecular biology institutions. Its six sites support an expansive research ecosystem connecting experimental biology, computational science, imaging, structural biology, data resources, and advanced technology platforms. This institutional environment proves crucial because ARISE2 fellows work intimately with research facilities, services, scientific users, and cross-border infrastructure.
The selection process maintains high standards through merit-based evaluation. External experts review eligible applications for excellence, impact, and implementation feasibility. Shortlisted candidates interact with relevant laboratories before interviews. They then present research proposals and career achievements during online interview stages.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the ARISE2 application form and prepare project proposals using official templates. The Horizon Europe ethics self-assessment forms part of this documentation. Proposed projects require connection to EMBL supervisors, so candidates should contact participating group leaders before submission to discuss project alignment. At least one reference must arrive by the deadline, though applicants may submit up to three.
Application Deadline: The final submission date for the ARISE2 Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2026 is September 30, 2026.
