The FMI's twice-yearly international PhD call — a fully funded 4–5 year PhD in biomedical research at one of Europe's leading life-science institutes, sitting at the interface of academic research and biomedical application with Novartis next door. Students train under an FMI group leader across three research pillars — Genome Regulation, Multicellular Systems, Neurobiology — with the PhD degree awarded by the University of Basel.
Why it is notable: posted directly on Euraxess by the institute itself (not on scholarship portals); tight rolling Fall-call deadline (15 Nov 2026); affiliations with Novartis + University of Basel put candidates in Europe's densest life-sciences hub (Basel–Zurich); fellows get meeting travel + laptop funds on top of the fellowship.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Fully funded: fellowships with social benefits + funds for scientific meetings and laptop acquisition
financial support "in accordance with the scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation"
40+ nationalities on staff
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Masters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for PhD programs.
Who can apply
ALL nationalities (staff of 40+ nationalities; "truly international, open and welcoming environment" on the official page). Applicants must hold, or anticipate receiving before enrollment, a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter a PhD programme in their home country (MSc., Diploma, DEA etc.). A Bachelor's degree does NOT qualify. For the MD-PhD track: a medical degree qualifying for clinical training + lab research experience + experimental Master/Diploma thesis approved by the University of Basel.
Experience
No experience required
Language Certificate
not explicitly stated on the official page (Basel institute, English-speaking research environment; confirm before publishing)
Other Certificates
Degree certificates & transcripts
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
ALL nationalities (staff of 40+ nationalities; "truly international, open and welcoming environment" on the official page). Applicants must hold, or anticipate…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Language
not explicitly stated on the official page (Basel institute, English-speaking research environment; confirm before publishing)
02
Qualification
ALL nationalities (staff of 40+ nationalities; "truly international, open and welcoming environment" on the official page)
03
Documents
online application form + referee contacts (1–3 letters, preferred 2–3); degree details — full document list per official call announcement.
Document checklist
01online application form + referee contacts (1–3 letters, preferred 2–3)
02degree details — full document list per official call announcement.
Application fee
No fee — completely free
No separate scholarship application fee is published; confirm on the official page.
Visa, kept concise: Non-EU nationals: Swiss residence + work permit required; salaried PhD fellowship appointments are typically supported by the host institution (permit type/quota rules apply for third-country nationals; EU/EFTA have easier access).
Application Procedure
4 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Fill in the online application form (PhD
Program or MD-PhD Program — linked on the official programme page).
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02
Provide contact details of at least one
referee familiar with your training and research experience (up to three letters preferred; referees receive an individualized upload link once you submit their contact information — letters not visible to you).
→
03
Submit by the Fall Call deadline
15 November 2026. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interviews (January round selection; per official page the selection procedure takes place in January and June).
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04
Programme duration 4–5 years
thesis defenses at the FMI, public.
Application milestones
15 Nov 2026
Application deadline
2026
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical… platform.
15 Nov 2026 — (Fall Call 2026; published in FMI's own announcement on Euraxess)
Who can apply?
ALL nationalities (staff of 40+ nationalities; "truly international, open and welcoming environment" on the official page). Applicants must hold, or anticipate receiving before enrollment, a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter a PhD programme in their home country (MSc., Diploma, DEA etc.). A Bachelor's degree does NOT qualify. For the MD-PhD track: a medical degree qualifying for clinical training + lab research experience + experimental Master/Diploma thesis approved by the University of Basel.
What does the scholarship cover?
Fully funded: fellowships with social benefits + funds for scientific meetings and laptop acquisition; financial support "in accordance with the scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation"; 40+ nationalities on staff
Where do I apply?
Through the official application portal linked in the Official links section on this page.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Switzerland · Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical…