Top Fellowships 2025-2026: Fully Funded Opportunities for Global Researchers

Researchers seeking international experience and career advancement can explore a range of fully funded fellowship programs for the 2025-2026 academic year. These opportunities, curated by Scholarships Corner, span diverse fields and offer researchers a chance to work with leading experts, access cutting-edge resources, and contribute to impactful global initiatives.

Diverse Opportunities Across Disciplines and Continents

The fellowships cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, including climate change, human rights, innovation, scientific computing, healthcare, journalism, global critical issues, science, engineering, and technology. Host countries include the USA, France, Australia, Switzerland, Brazil, Japan, and Austria, providing researchers with truly global experiences.

These fully funded programs remove financial barriers, enabling researchers to focus on their work and gain international recognition. Fellows can advance existing research or explore new, innovative topics, collaborating with peers and learning from experienced mentors.

Featured Fellowships for 2025-2026

Here's a detailed look at some of the top fellowship programs available:

Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship (USA and France) Type: Fully Funded Host Countries: USA and France Host University: Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, Yale University Coverage: All costs for two in-person programs, including airfare, accommodation, transfers, and per diem. Duration: 5 months Deadline: August 1, 2025 Details: YALE Fellowship 2025 (Please replace with actual fellowship link) UN OHCHR Fellowship (Switzerland) Type: Fully Funded Host Country: Switzerland Host Organisation: United Nations Coverage: Air tickets, basic health insurance, and a stipend for accommodation and living expenses. Duration: November 10 - November 28, 2025 Deadline: June 30, 2025 Details: UN OHCHR Fellowship 2025 (Please replace with actual fellowship link) Forrest Foundation Fellowship (Australia) Type: Fully Funded Host Country: Australia Host Organisation: Forrest Research Foundation Coverage: Salary of $108,362 AUD plus 17% superannuation, accommodation allowance of $25,116 AUD per annum, and a one-time research and travel allowance of $12,000 AUD. Duration: Up to 3 years Deadline: June 30, 2025 Details: Forrest Fellowship 2025 (Please replace with actual fellowship link) McDonald Fellowships 2026 (MSIF) Type: Fully Funded Host Country: A neighboring country or the participant’s home country. Host Institute: The institute can be outside or within the participant’s home country. Coverage: €55,000 per year for two years, plus an additional contribution of GBP 2,000 per year. Duration: 2 years Deadline: December 1, 2025 Details: McDonald Fellowship (Please replace with actual fellowship link) COP30 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program (Brazil) Type: Fully Funded Host Country: Brazil Host Organisations: Earth Journalism Network (EJN), and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. Coverage: Air tickets, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance, ground transportation, visa cost reimbursement, and a stipend. Duration: November 10 - November 21, 2025 Deadline: July 15, 2025 Details: COP30 Fellowship (Please replace with actual fellowship link) JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Japan) 2026/2027 Type: Fully Funded Host Country: Japan Host University: Japanese universities or research centers Coverage: Round-trip air ticket, monthly allowance (362,000 JPY with PhD, 200,000 JPY without), settling-in allowance (200,000 JPY), travel insurance, and research support (up to 70,000 JPY per month). Duration: 1-12 months Deadline: August 15, 2025 Details: JSPS Fellowship (Please replace with actual fellowship link) Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2026-27 (USA) Type: Fully Funded Host Country: USA Host Institute: Harvard Radcliffe Institute Coverage: $78,000 stipend, $5,000 for project expenses, relocation fund, housing fund, childcare fund, and healthcare assistance. Deadline: September 11, 2025 (humanities, social sciences, creative arts); September 30, 2025 (science, engineering, mathematics) Details: Harvard Fellowship (Please replace with actual fellowship link) ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 (Switzerland) Type: Fully Funded Host Country: Switzerland Host University: ETH Zurich Coverage: Salary, CHF 10,000 per year for research expenses, and travel/mobility allowance. Duration: 2 years Deadline: September 1, 2025 Details: ETH Fellowship (Please replace with actual fellowship link) ISTA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025-26 (Austria) Type: Fully Funded Host Country: Austria Host University: Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) Coverage: Full-time employment contract (minimum 72,100 Euros gross), social security benefits, allowance for costs (travel, membership fees, etc.), on-site daycare, and visa support. Duration: 2 years Deadline: September 16, 2025 Details: ISTA Fellowship (Please replace with actual fellowship link)

The Enduring Value of Fellowships: An Expert Perspective

Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading researcher in international education at the Global Studies Institute, emphasizes the critical role fellowships play in fostering global collaboration and innovation. "Fellowships are not merely financial aid; they are investments in human capital," she explains. "They provide researchers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultural and academic environments, broadening their perspectives and leading to groundbreaking discoveries. The cross-pollination of ideas that occurs during these programs is invaluable."

Historical Context and Current Trends

The concept of fellowships has evolved significantly over time. Historically, fellowships were often associated with religious or