The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is now accepting applications for its prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowships for Training in Cancer Research for the 2026-2027 session. This fellowship program is designed for early-career researchers from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), providing them with the opportunity to contribute to critical cancer research while working at IARC’s headquarters in Lyon, France.
About the Fellowship
The IARC Postdoctoral Fellowship program aims to support research aligned with the Agency’s priorities. Key research areas include:
- Cancer etiology and underlying mechanisms, including infections, nutrition, lifestyle, environment, radiation, and genetics.
- Cancer prevention strategies, such as primary prevention, screening, and implementation research.
- Global cancer burden assessment and evaluation of carcinogenicity or preventive interventions through IARC Monographs and Handbooks of Cancer Prevention.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected candidates will receive:
- A stipend of €2,950 per month (net).
- Travel costs for the awardee and, in some cases, dependents.
- Dependents and health insurance allowances, if applicable.
- Access to a global research network and IARC’s multidisciplinary scientific environment.
- The opportunity to apply for an IARC return grant of up to €10,000 in the second year to establish an independent research program in their home country.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a national of a low- or middle-income country (LMIC).
- Hold a PhD degree (obtained within five years of the application deadline) or obtain one by the fellowship’s start date.
- Medical doctors (MDs) are also eligible, provided they have an MPH degree or similar additional research training, along with research experience and publications.
- Proficiency in English sufficient for scientific communication.
- Submit two reference letters by the application deadline.
- Research proposals must demonstrate feasibility and alignment with IARC’s scientific priorities.
- Candidates who have spent more than six months at IARC as postdoctoral scientists or doctoral students are not eligible.
Application Process & Deadline
Fellowships must be taken up between November 2025 and 28 February 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to identify a suitable IARC research branch (https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/call-for-applications-for-iarc-postdoctoral-fellowships-is-now-open/) and contact a potential supervisor using the contact details provided on IARC’s Research Branch Personnel page: IARC Research Branches.
The last date to apply for the IARC Postdoctoral Fellowships for 2026-2027 is 9 May 2025 (midnight CET).