Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships (also called the International Fellowship Program) provide funding for outstanding Master’s, PhD, and medical students to undertake international research projects, internships, or placements that complement their studies.

Key Details (Current Cycle)

  • Funding: Up to €10,000 for placements of up to 6 months. Additional support may be available for caregiving responsibilities (€500/month per child, not counting toward the €10,000 limit) and justified exceptional costs (up to €2,500).
  • Application period: November 10, 2026 – January 18, 2027 (portal closes at 23:59 CET on January 18, 2027). Applications are currently open.
  • Notification: By April 1, 2027.
  • Fellowship period: Projects must start on or after August 1, 2027, and end by December 31, 2028. Costs before August 1, 2027, are generally not covered (exceptions for visa/flight preparation costs).

Fellowship Categories

  • Drug Discovery Sciences (Otto Bayer): Master’s/PhD (or equivalent) in natural sciences, pharmacy, or data science; research relevant to pharmaceuticals or consumer healthcare (OTC).
  • Agricultural Sciences (Jeff Schell): Master’s/PhD in natural sciences or data science; research relevant to crop science.
  • Medical Sciences (Carl Duisberg): Students of human or veterinary medicine, or Master’s/PhD in medical engineering, applied medical sciences, public health, or data science in medicine.
  • Climate & Health: Students in human/veterinary medicine, or Master’s/PhD in natural sciences, pharmacy, public health, or epidemiology, focused on climate change impacts on health (e.g., women’s/vulnerable populations’ health, cardio-renal health, neglected tropical diseases, respiratory health).

Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled in an MSc, PhD, medical degree (including MBBS/PharmD), or equivalent.
  • Strong academic record (very good to excellent performance).
  • Not eligible: Bachelor’s students, postdocs, those who will complete their doctoral studies before the end of the fellowship, or those seeking funding for full degree programs or observerships.
  • Mobility rule (based on enrollment country, not nationality): Students enrolled outside Germany must do the placement in Germany; those enrolled in Germany must do it abroad. Not available at commercial/industry organizations.
  • Encourages applications from women, people from low- and middle-income countries, parents with caregiving duties, and others underrepresented in science. Interdisciplinary/collaborative projects and those aligned with UN SDGs are preferred.

What the Funding Covers

Travel, visa, living costs, research-related expenses, and similar costs tied to a specific project/internship/placement. Applicants must arrange their own host institute and project in advance (Bayer Foundation does not help find hosts).

Level/Field(s) of Study:

  • Life Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Agro Sciences
  • Biology and Chemistry Educators
  • Apprentices
  • Research Projects
  • Internships
  • Master’s Degree
  • PhD Doctoral Degree

Application Requirements

Applications are online only (in English) via the Bayer Foundation portal. Key elements typically include:

  • Project proposal (description, relevance/impact, budget, keywords).
  • Personal motivation statement.
  • One letter of support/acceptance from the host institute.
  • Two recommendation letters.
  • CV, degree certificates, current transcripts (English or with translation), proof of enrollment.
  • 1-minute motivation video.
  • Other supporting documents as relevant (e.g., additional funding disclosure).

There is also a separate Bayer Foundation-Lindau Fellowship supporting attendance at the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (application handled by the Lindau organization) and limited STEM teacher/apprentice fellowships (primarily for those in Germany). Always verify details directly on the official site, as cycles and specifics can update.

Official resources (check these for the latest guidelines, FAQs, form preview, and apply button):