The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) has launched the 2026 call for its Collaborative Research Programme (CRP) to fund outstanding research projects in basic life sciences, human healthcare, industrial and agricultural biotechnology, and bioenergy. The programme aims to stimulate collaborative research between Member States, promote the training of young scientists, and facilitate the creation of appropriate research facilities. International collaboration is a key feature of the grant, and projects are expected to address original scientific problems of particular relevance for the host country and regional interest.

📅 Call Timeline

• Application Deadline: 30 April 2026 (23:59 CET)

✅ Eligibility

• Investigating groups whose previously awarded projects have not been evaluated and satisfactorily concluded do not qualify for submission.

Standard CRP

• Principal Investigators (PIs) holding positions at Universities or Research Institutes in ICGEB Member States (excluding Italy).
• PhD or post-doc students are not eligible to apply as PIs.

Early Career Return Grants

• Young researchers not over 40 years old at the time of application, who have spent a minimum of 2 consecutive years abroad and have returned to an ICGEB Member State within the last 2 years to establish independent laboratories.

⚠️ In adherence to the ICGEB mandate, the Liaison Officer of each Member State can endorse up to 3 standard Research Grant applications and up to 2 Early Career Return Grants. If the number of applications from Türkiye exceeds this limit, proposals will undergo a pre-evaluation by TÜBİTAK based on ICGEB's scientific criteria. The highest-scoring applications will be officially endorsed and forwarded to the ICGEB CRP Office.

📂 Support Scope and Duration

• Maximum project duration is 36 months.

Covered Expenses

• Consumables, scientific literature, basic standard laboratory equipment, travel and training costs, publication fees in peer-reviewed journals, and a contribution to the ICGEB CRP Awardees Meeting (approx. Euro 1,000).

Ineligible Costs

• PI salary support, normal administrative and overhead expenses of the Institution, cost of construction/alteration of buildings, equipment maintenance, bank charges, and secretarial expenses.

💶 Funding Opportunities

• The maximum annual contribution from ICGEB is Euro 25,000.

📌 Useful Links

• ICGEB CRP Call Website
• CRP Guidelines
• Frequently Asked Questions