Are you a committed PhD student in the natural sciences who is passionate about escalating your research in chemical and biological sciences? The TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship Programme 2025 provides a fully financed road to careers for young researchers from developing countries to continue their PhD research at one of Pakistan’s leading scientific institutions—the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), located at the University of Karachi.
This notable program, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), jointly with ICCBS, is intended for PhD students who are already enrolled in their respective countries. Working with the highest quality laboratories and getting professional guidance in Pakistan, the fellowship not only assists you to deepen your research but also to establish the international partnerships that are capable of changing your scientific career.
Why Choose the TWAS-ICCBS Fellowship in 2025?
The TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship is ideal for students in fields such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular medicine, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology. Hosted at ICCBS—home to the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular and Drug Research—this program opens doors to cutting-edge research facilities and international academic networks.
With a minimum duration of 6 months and up to 12 months, the program supports PhD students under the sandwich model, enabling you to carry out significant research abroad while being enrolled at your home university.
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Key Benefits of the TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship
- Fully funded research stay in Pakistan
- Monthly stipend to cover food, accommodation, local travel, and incidental expenses
- Access to world-class labs and scientific mentors at ICCBS
- English as the language of instruction and research
- Opportunity to work on advanced research in chemical and biological sciences
- Exposure to an international research environment in South Asia
Note: The monthly stipend is not convertible into foreign currency. Applicants must also provide for their own comprehensive medical insurance and cover any costs for accompanying family members.
Fields of Study Covered
This fellowship supports research in the following disciplines:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Structural, Cell, and Molecular Biology
- Biological Systems and Organisms
- Medical and Health Sciences, including Neurosciences
- Chemical Sciences
Specific areas of focus include:
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Medicine
- Analytical Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Pharmacology
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Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship Programme 2025, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a national of a developing country (excluding Pakistan)
- Be 35 years old or younger by 31 December 2025
- Hold an MSc (Master’s degree) in a natural science field
- Be registered for a PhD in their home country (proof required)
- Must not hold a temporary or permanent visa in Pakistan or a developed country
- Be in good health (medical certificate required)
- Submit an official Preliminary Acceptance Letter from ICCBS
- Submit a “Registration and No Objection Certificate” from their home institution
- Show proficiency in English if previous studies were not in English
- Commit to returning to their home country after the fellowship
- Agree not to take up any other assignments during the fellowship
Fellowship Duration
- Minimum: 6 months
- Maximum: 12 months
The exact duration is to be decided in consultation with ICCBS and your home institution.
Fellowship Deadlines 2025
- Call opens: 17 April 2025
- Application deadline: 14 August 2025 (midnight CEST)
Important: Applicants must submit a Preliminary Acceptance Letter from ICCBS by the deadline. Applications without this document will not be considered.
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How to Apply for the TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship 2025
Step-by-Step Application Guide:
- Contact ICCBS for Acceptance
- Send a request for a Preliminary Acceptance Letter to:
- Prof. Dr. Raza Shah, Director, ICCBS
- Emails: raza.shah@iccs.edu, protocol.iccbs@iccs.edu
- Include the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (2 pages)
- Copy of your most recent academic degree
- Research proposal outline
- Two signed letters of recommendation (preferably one from your PhD supervisor)
- Send a request for a Preliminary Acceptance Letter to:
- Prepare Additional Required Documents
- Certificate of good health from a qualified doctor
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
- Registration and No Objection Certificate from your home university
- Submit Your Online Application
- Use the TWAS online application portal (accessible via the “Apply Now” button on the TWAS website).
- Upload all required documents before 14 August 2025.
Why This Fellowship Actually Matters
The TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship Programme 2025 isn’t just a fancy title or a line to add to your CV. It’s a powerful step toward something bigger, building meaningful scientific capacity where it’s needed most, i.e., in the developing world.
By giving early-career researchers a chance to work directly in some of the best-equipped labs out there, this program opens doors that might otherwise stay closed. It’s not just about textbooks or theory anymore—it’s about diving into the scientific world and learning through real experience.
Here’s what will happen:
- You’ll sharpen your technical skills in ways that stick.
- You’ll collaborate with brilliant minds across borders.
- You’ll lay a solid foundation for a career in science—one that actually goes somewhere.
- And most importantly, you’ll return home ready to spark change, mentor others, and push scientific progress forward in your own country.
It’s science with purpose. And it’s backed by a serious commitment from TWAS and ICCBS to sustainability, innovation, and a globally inclusive scientific future.
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Final Thoughts (Or, Why You Shouldn’t Sleep on This)
Let’s be honest—this fellowship is a game-changer.
Sure, there’s financial support. But the real value? That’s in the experience. The people. The ideas you’ll absorb and the ones you’ll create. You’re not just signing up for a program—you’re stepping into a space where your research actually matters. Where the work you do can help solve the real, tough challenges facing the world today.
So, if you’re an ambitious researcher—maybe in chemical sciences, maybe in biology—and your gut’s telling you this could be your shot… Trust it.
Don’t wait. Start gathering your documents. Reach out to ICCBS. Ask questions if you’ve got them. Block out time to write a strong application. Give it your all.
Because this isn’t just about where you’ll go. It’s about who you’ll become along the way.
Official Call: https://twas.org/opportunity/twas-iccbs-postgraduate-fellowship-programme
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