Global Science Scholars

Overview

The Global Science Scholars program is a postdoctoral fellowship of up to two years designed to advance early-stage careers and catalyze groundbreaking science globally. We are seeking to support cutting-edge science in bioengineering and biomedical domains and, in particular, people who are committed to pursuing up to two years of research directed at creating a better future for all by conducting research outside of their degree granting country. We encourage applications from individuals who have recently earned a doctoral degree to conduct research in a world-class lab in Japan or the U.S., respectively. We welcome applicants whose postdoctoral research aspirations align with open positions within the CZ Biohub Network and SS-F research ecosystems, as described in the application details below.

Created and supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the CZ Biohub Network is a group of nonprofit research institutes that bring together scientists and engineers with the goal of pursuing grand scientific challenges on 10- to 15-year time horizons. The CZ Biohub Network and CZI partner together and with like-minded organizations to understand the mysteries of the cell toward a bold mission to cure, prevent, or manage all diseases by the end of the century.

The Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F) is a Japan-based organization aimed at building a system that promotes the sustainable generation of disruptive discoveries and inventions by focusing on the power of people in science. SS-F seeks to revitalize Japan’s scientific research, promoting freedom in research activities of scientists to enable them to create discoveries and inventions that will change the world and contribute to human society.

We encourage applications from researchers who have earned a doctoral degree on or after July 1, 2021 and are interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research at the forefront of biology and technology in a program that builds connections between the U.S. and Japan. The CZ Biohub Network in the U.S. and the SS-F in Japan aim to support scholars in residence for up to two years at a top research university outside of the candidate’s own degree granting country (i.e., Japan or the U.S.).

Award Information

There are two types of fellowships:

1. Global Science Scholars in residence in Japan: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to early career applicants who have recently earned their doctoral degree and wish to conduct research activities at a Japanese research institution with selected research leaders (see list below). Candidates must have received their doctoral degree on or after July 1, 2021. For placement in Japan, the applicant must have received their undergraduate or doctoral degree from a U.S. degree granting institution, and eligibility for a Japanese visa is required. Funding for the Global Science Scholars in residence in Japan extends only until March 2027, thus the duration of support is up to two years, depending on start date.
2. Global Science Scholars in residence in the U.S.: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to early-career applicants who have recently earned their doctoral degree and wish to conduct research activities at a CZ Biohub Network partner university (in San Francisco, Chicago or New York areas) with selected research leaders (see list below). Candidates must have received their doctoral degree on or after July 1, 2021. For placement in the U.S., the applicant must have received their undergraduate or doctoral degree from a Japanese degree granting institution, and eligibility for a U.S. visa is required. Funding for the Global Science Scholars in residence in the CZ Biohub Network is available for a two-year fellowship.

Important Dates

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed at several points during the open application period that runs from December 17, 2024, to May 27, 2025. All application deadlines and dates are based on Pacific Time.

Important: All awards may be allocated well before the close of the application period on May 27, 2025. Once all fellowships are allocated, the application portal will close and no further applications will be accepted. The program reserves the right to stop accepting applications at any time. Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and submit their applications early during the open application period.

Eligibility Criteria

• Degree:
  • Candidates must have a doctoral degree conferred by July 1, 2025.
  • Candidates must be eligible to start their fellowship position (including providing proof of doctoral degree conferral) by July 1, 2025. Candidates may apply while their doctoral degree is in progress. If selected, and a candidate’s start is delayed due to visa processing, their start date may be postponed accordingly beyond July 1, 2025.
  • Because the Global Science Scholars program is an early-career fellowship, candidates must not have received their doctoral degree before July 1, 2021. CZI and SS-F will make exceptions to these criteria in cases of institutionally approved career breaks, e.g., family or medical leave, etc. (if this applies to you, please contact sciencegrants@chanzuckerberg.com).
• Engagement and Language Proficiency: Applicants must be available to participate in program activities. Applicants must have a level of English proficiency sufficient to conduct research and communicate effectively in English.
• Country of Degree: For placement in the U.S., the applicant must hold an undergraduate or doctoral degree from a Japanese degree-granting institution. For placement in Japan, the applicant must have received their undergraduate or doctoral degree from a U.S. degree-granting institution.
• Visa and Employment: For placement in the U.S., the applicant must be eligible to receive a U.S. visa. For placement in Japan, the applicant must be eligible to receive a Japanese visa. In the U.S., successful candidates will be hired by the relevant partner university within the U.S., and the international visitor/postdoc office of the partner university will assist each successful applicant with the visa process. In Japan, SS-F and program partners will provide the program funds and visa assistance to successful candidates.

Application Process

All applications must be completed and submitted through the online grants management portal. All application materials must be submitted in English. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this portal well in advance of the application deadline.

See external page on “How to Apply”

Contact

For administrative and programmatic inquiries, or other questions pertaining to this RFA, please contact sciencegrants@chanzuckerberg.com.