ICGEB Research Grants 2026 CRP – Collaborative Research Programme

Type of Support

The ICGEB CRP Grants programme was established in 1988 and aims to stimulate collaborative research in Member States and with the ICGEB Component laboratories, promote training of young scientists, and facilitate the creation of appropriate research facilities. The programme supports research projects in basic science, human healthcare, industrial and agricultural biotechnology and bioenergy. A call for applications is launched yearly.

Grants are awarded to contribute to the implementation of outstanding scientific research projects. An important element of successful applications is the feasibility of the proposed project within the designated timeframe (maximum 36 months). The maximum annual contribution from ICGEB is Euro 25,000.

Funds can only be used to cover expenditures directly relevant to the project. This may include purchasing consumable items, scientific literature and basic standard laboratory equipment. Travel and training costs can also be covered.

Salaries of the Principal Investigators and infrastructural support (e.g., normal administrative and overhead expenses of the Institution, maintenance and rental of capital equipment, building, etc.) are not admissible and cannot be funded.

Eligibility

Applicants for research grant proposals (identified as “CRPs”) should hold positions at Universities or Research Institutes in any of the ICGEB Member States.

ICGEB Member States: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte D’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.
(Laboratories in Italy are excluded from the call)

International collaboration is a key feature of all ICGEB grants. It must be fully integrated into the project, detailing the exact role of the collaborators and explaining why this collaboration is crucial to the project’s success. International collaborations can be established with ICGEB Member States or other countries. Collaboration with any of the ICGEB groups (in Trieste, New Delhi or Cape Town) is not a mandatory requirement for the grants but is considered an additional asset. Particular attention will be given to: i) projects addressing issues of interest for specific geographic regions; ii) projects presented by groups collaborating across more than one country; iii) projects entailing new rather than existing collaboration; and iv) projects involving ICGEB PIs in the three components.

Investigating groups do not qualify for submission of applications:

• if previously awarded projects have not been evaluated and satisfactorily concluded;
• if the University or Research Institute of the Principal Investigator is based in Italy.

A special category of CRP-ICGEB Early Career Return Grants is intended to fund young researchers with an outstanding track record who have spent a minimum of 2 consecutive years abroad and have recently returned to an ICGEB Member State to establish independent laboratories.
Applicants for Early Career Return Grants should be no more than 40 years of age at the time of application.
Applicants should have returned to an ICGEB Member State (except Italy) within the last two years preceding their application.

Submission and Closing Dates

In adherence with the ICGEB mandate to equally support its Member States, the Liaison Officer of each ICGEB Member State can endorse up to 3 standard Research Grant applications plus up to 2 Early Career Return Grants for each call.

Principal Investigators should submit their complete applications online via the ICGEB Service Gateway by the deadline of 30 April, 23:59 CET. A copy of the full application will be accessed by the Country representative (Liaison Officer), who is responsible for endorsing the application at the national level.