Top 10 Global Grants & Fellowships in Genomics & Bioinformatics (2025 Update)

Introduction: Why Fellowships Matter in Genomics & Bioinformatics

In today’s fast-evolving scientific world, genomics and bioinformatics are driving innovation across healthcare, agriculture, biodiversity, and biotechnology. These disciplines blend biology with computational science to decode the language of life but impactful research in these areas requires access to funding, mentorship, and international collaboration.

That’s why fellowships and grants are so essential. They don’t just support projects; they empower the next generation of scientists with global exposure, advanced training, and the resources to solve real-world challenges.Whether you aim to enhance genomic surveillance, advance biodiversity conservation, or innovate in precision medicine, these fellowships can help you build the skills, network, and research base to lead groundbreaking work. These are opportunities from institutions across the U.S., Africa, Europe, and Asia.

The Top 10 Global Fellowships & Grants in Genomics and Bioinformatics (2025)

1. Smithsonian Biodiversity Genomics Postdoctoral Fellowship

Focus Area: Biodiversity genomics, metagenomics, and phylogenomics 

Eligibility: Open to PhD holders or candidates near completion 

Region: Global (based in the USA)

Funding: Competitive stipend, research allowance, and access to Smithsonian facilities

This prestigious fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers exploring biodiversity through genomic technologies. Fellows collaborate with Smithsonian scientists to analyze large-scale genomic datasets that inform species evolution and conservation.

Why It’s Valuable: Provides world-class mentorship, data access, and the chance to contribute to global biodiversity genomics. 

Pro Tip: Align your proposal with conservation outcomes and emphasize innovative bioinformatics tools in your project plan.

2. Africa CDC Bioinformatics Fellowship

Focus Area: Public health genomics and genomic surveillance

Eligibility: Professionals from African Union (AU) member states with a background in life sciences or computing

Region: Africa

Funding: Fully funded short-term training program, including tuition, accommodation, and travel

This fellowship strengthens Africa’s capacity in genomic data analysis for outbreak response and disease tracking. Participants receive hands-on training in pathogen genomics and bioinformatics pipelines.

Why It’s Valuable: Builds practical skills in genomic epidemiology, directly supporting national health security. 

Pro Tip: Highlight your potential to improve regional or national disease surveillance through genomics.

3. African STARS MSc Fellowship

Focus Area: Pathogen genomics and infectious disease bioinformatics 

Eligibility: African nationals under 35 with a bachelor’s degree in STEM 

Region: Africa 

Funding: Fully funded master’s program covering tuition, stipend, and living expenses

This program trains young African scientists in applying bioinformatics to study infectious diseases. It combines academic coursework with real-world laboratory research.

Why It’s Valuable: Offers both a degree and intensive research mentorship. 

Pro Tip: Connect your academic experience to applied genomic work like pathogen tracking or epidemic modeling.

4. Open Bioinformatics Foundation (OBF) Event Fellowship

Focus Area: Open science, hackathons, and community bioinformatics events\

Eligibility: Students and early-career researchers active in bioinformatics or open science

Region: Global

Funding: Travel and registration support to attend international bioinformatics events

Deadline: Three cycles annually — April, August, and December 2025

This fellowship promotes diversity and inclusion in the global bioinformatics community by enabling participation in conferences and collaborative events.

Why It’s Valuable: Encourages open collaboration and boosts your professional visibility. 

Pro Tip: Write a clear motivation statement showing how attending the event will advance your skills and community contributions.

5. ACMG Next-Generation Fellowship

Focus Area: Clinical genomics and precision medicine

Eligibility: Early-career clinicians or researchers (PhD, MD, or equivalent)

Region: USA

Funding: Fully funded one-year fellowship with clinical training and mentorship

Deadline: Varies by program cycle

Offered by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), this fellowship prepares future leaders in medical genomics by blending clinical experience with cutting-edge genomic analysis.

Why It’s Valuable: Builds expertise at the intersection of genomics research and healthcare practice.

Pro Tip: Emphasize how your work contributes to improving diagnostics and precision treatments for patients.

6. ICGEB Arturo Falaschi Postdoctoral Fellowship

Focus Area: Life sciences, biotechnology, and bioinformatics

Eligibility: PhD holders from ICGEB member states

Region: Global South (with placements across Asia, Africa, and Latin America)

Funding: Monthly stipend, travel, health insurance, and laboratory access

Deadline: Rolling applications throughout the year

This fellowship supports high-impact postdoctoral research across member states of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

Why It’s Valuable: Offers international exposure, advanced facilities, and a strong mentorship network. 

Pro Tip: Study your host lab’s publications align your proposal to strengthen your application.

7. Roche African Genomics Bursary

Focus Area: Genomic research and computational capacity building

Eligibility: African postgraduate students and researchers

Region: Africa

Funding: Financial support, mentorship, and access to high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure

This bursary empowers African scientists to develop computational genomics capacity and access mentorship from global experts.

Why It’s Valuable: Helps bridge Africa’s digital divide in genomics through funding and technology access. 

Pro Tip: Outline how your project contributes to sustainable genomics research in your region.

8. BBSRC Research Fellowship (United Kingdom)

Focus Area: Independent research in genomics, systems biology, and biotechnology 

Eligibility: Early-career scientists ready to establish independence 

Region: United Kingdom 

Funding: Up to five years of full research funding, salary, and institutional support 

Deadline: Varies by round

This fellowship, run by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, provides a rare opportunity to launch an independent genomics lab and lead major projects.

Why It’s Valuable: Offers research stability and credibility in the international science community. 

Pro Tip: Build relationships with UK host institutions early and showcase leadership in your field.

9. ASHG–NHGRI Genomics & Public Service Fellowship

Focus Area: Genomics policy, education, and science communication 

Eligibility: Applicants with advanced degrees (Master’s, PhD, MD, JD, or equivalent) 

Region: USA 

Funding: Paid one-year fellowship hosted jointly by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) 

Deadline: Varies annually

This fellowship combines science, education, and policy, equipping fellows to shape how genomics is understood and used in society.

Why It’s Valuable: Fosters leadership in science communication and policy-making.

 Pro Tip: Demonstrate how you can translate complex genomics into accessible insights for the public or policymakers.

10. Global Bioinformatics Event Fellowships

Focus Area: Conferences, workshops, and specialized training 

Eligibility: Global participants at all career stages 

Region: Global 

Funding: Travel and participation grants

 Deadline: Ongoing throughout 2025

These micro-grants support researchers seeking to attend events that expand their skills and professional networks in bioinformatics and computational biology.

Why It’s Valuable: Ideal for early-career scientists to gain exposure and hands-on experience. 

Pro Tip: Be specific about what you’ll learn and how you’ll apply it — funders appreciate clear outcomes.

Smart Application Strategies for 2025

1. Start early: Most programs open between April and October 2025.

2. Align with program goals: Connect your research objectives directly to the fellowship’s mission.

3. Show leadership potential: Funders prefer candidates who can make a global or regional impact.

4. Engage mentors early: Contact host institutions or labs to refine your proposal.

5. Emphasize community value: Explain how your work contributes to both science and society.

Why 2025 Is a Turning Point for Genomics & Bioinformatics

The year 2025 represents a major shift in global genomics. As artificial intelligence, big data, and precision health continue to merge, funding organizations are prioritizing equity, open access, and capacity building especially across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

If you’re a researcher passionate about biodiversity, infectious disease modeling, or computational biology, this is your year to act, build partnerships, refine your proposal, and apply early, your next fellowship could redefine your entire scientific trajectory.

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