Applications are now open for the Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027, offering up to €10,000 for international research stays, scientific internships and academic projects lasting up to six months. The programme supports eligible master’s, PhD and medical students in drug discovery, agricultural sciences, medical sciences, and climate and health.
Students enrolled at universities outside Germany must undertake their fellowship at a research institution in Germany. Students enrolled at German universities must complete their placement abroad. Applicants must arrange their own host institution before applying. The application deadline is 18 January 2027 at 23:59 Central European Time (CET). Additional funding may be available for eligible caregiving responsibilities and exceptional project costs.
Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027: Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship provider | Bayer Foundation |
| Programme | Scientific Fellowships 2027 |
| Eligible academic levels | Master’s, PhD and medical students |
| Main funding | Up to €10,000 |
| Duration | Maximum six months |
| Research areas | Drug Discovery, Agricultural Sciences, Medical Sciences, Climate & Health |
| Fellowship location | Germany for students enrolled abroad; outside Germany for students enrolled in Germany |
| Applications opened | 10 November 2026 |
| Application deadline | 18 January 2027, 23:59 CET |
| Selection results | By 1 April 2027 |
| Permitted placement window | Start on or after 1 August 2027; finish by 31 December 2028. Maximum funded duration: six months |
| Application method | Online, in English |
| Application status | Open |
The fellowship provides supplementary funding for a defined international research activity. It does not finance an entire master’s or doctoral degree.
Who Can Apply for the Bayer Foundation Fellowships 2027?
Applicants must currently be enrolled in a master’s, PhD, medical degree or equivalent programme and demonstrate a strong academic record.
Students pursuing MBBS or PharmD degrees are eligible while enrolled. However, applicants who have already completed these qualifications are not eligible under the programme’s stated restrictions.
Students approaching the end of a master’s programme may also qualify for an internship between their master’s and PhD studies. However, they must provide evidence of acceptance into the next PhD programme and satisfy the fellowship’s student-status requirements. Having completed a master’s degree alone does not automatically establish eligibility.
The following applicants are excluded:
- Bachelor’s students.
- Postdoctoral researchers.
- Qualified medical doctors and applicants who already hold a PhD or MD.
- Doctoral students who will defend their thesis before the proposed fellowship ends.
- Applicants proposing observerships rather than eligible research or internship activities.
Nationality is not the deciding factor for fellowship location. The programme uses your country of university enrolment to determine where you must undertake your placement.
Students in multinational degree programmes also cannot conduct their fellowship at either of their home institutions.
Applicants who have completed their master’s degree and are looking for a fully funded doctoral programme in Germany may consider the Max Planck IMPRS PhD Positions 2027. This is a separate PhD recruitment opportunity, rather than funding for a short-term research visit. Applications close on 10 January 2027.
Available Research Areas
1. Drug Discovery Sciences
This category supports master’s and PhD students in natural sciences, pharmacy, data science and related fields whose research is relevant to pharmaceutical or over-the-counter healthcare industries.
Relevant disciplines may include pharmacology, organic chemistry, molecular biology, chemical biology and drug formulation.
2. Agricultural Sciences
This fellowship supports research relevant to the crop science industry. Applicants may come from natural sciences, pharmacy, data science or related scientific disciplines.
Potentially relevant subjects include plant genetics, plant physiology, crop science, agricultural engineering, plant pathology and digital farming.
3. Medical Sciences
Eligible fields include human and veterinary medicine, medical engineering, applied medical sciences, public health and medical data science.
The Foundation particularly encourages projects addressing health challenges in low- and middle-income countries and research involving rare or orphan diseases.
4. Climate and Health
This category supports research examining how climate change affects human or animal health.
Relevant areas include epidemiology, public health, environmental health and medical sciences. The Foundation particularly encourages projects concerning women’s health and vulnerable populations, cardio-renal health, neglected tropical diseases and respiratory health.
Across all four categories, interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific innovation and potential societal benefits are encouraged.
What Does the Bayer Foundation Fellowship Cover?
The standard fellowship provides up to €10,000 for a maximum of six months. The amount is a funding ceiling, not an automatic award of €10,000 to every selected applicant.
Eligible expenses include travel, visa costs and reasonable living expenses during the approved placement.
The programme also offers two additional funding provisions:
| Additional support | Maximum amount | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Exceptional costs | €2,500 | Essential, non-standard costs requiring separate justification and approval |
| Caregiving support | €500 per month, up to €3,000 | For eligible applicants whose children accompany them during the fellowship |
Exceptional costs may include necessary specialist training or access to research facilities. Caregiving support is fixed regardless of the number of accompanying children.
Where all relevant requests are approved, the combined funding ceiling can reach €15,500, including the standard award, exceptional costs and caregiving support. This is not a guaranteed award.
Important funding limitations: The fellowship does not cover tuition fees, laboratory consumables, equipment, laptops, conferences, publication costs or accommodation deposits.
Applicants receiving a salary or stipend for their proposed research stay may still apply, but they cannot request Bayer Foundation funding for general living expenses. They may instead request support for other eligible expenses, such as flights or visa costs. All additional funding must be declared, and the same expenses cannot be funded twice.
What Activities Can Be Funded?
Eligible activities include international master’s thesis research, doctoral research stays, scientific internships, specialist laboratory training and access to research facilities unavailable at the applicant’s home institution.
Internships between a master’s degree and a PhD may also qualify when the applicant can provide evidence of admission to the next programme.
The host must be a suitable non-commercial institution. Placements at commercial companies are not eligible. Applicants may select only one host institution for their research stay. Collaboration with other institutions is permitted, but travel between multiple host institutions is not ordinarily funded. Essential field trips may qualify for separately justified exceptional-cost support, subject to approval.
Projects must begin on or after 1 August 2027 and finish by 31 December 2028. Retrospective funding is generally unavailable, although necessary preparatory flight and visa expenses may be incurred earlier under the official rules.
Required Documents for the Bayer Foundation Fellowship Application
Applicants should prepare the following documents before opening the application form:
- A support letter from the proposed host institution.
- Two recommendation letters, including one from a current or previous direct supervisor.
- A short academic CV.
- Proof of enrolment in the current degree programme.
- The most recently completed degree certificate, where applicable.
- An official academic transcript, except for PhD students.
- A one-minute motivation video.
- Admission confirmation for a future degree programme, where applicable.
- Documentation supporting a caregiving funding request, where applicable.
If you need help preparing your CV, our academic CV writing guide explains how to present research projects, laboratory skills, technical experience and academic achievements. For this fellowship, prioritize experience relevant to your proposed placement.
The host letter must confirm the institution’s willingness to receive the applicant, the proposed start date and the expected fellowship duration.
Institutional letters must use official letterhead and contain a handwritten or digital signature. Documents must be in English or accompanied by an English translation, which may be self-prepared. Document uploads must be PDFs unless another format is specified.
The motivation video must be no larger than 50 MB. Applicants must remain clearly visible and audible; editing effects, filters and AI-generated content are prohibited.
Written Application Requirements
The online form also requires:
| Application component | Maximum length |
|---|---|
| Project summary | 750 characters |
| Detailed project description | 2,000 characters |
| Societal relevance and impact | 1,750 characters |
| Personal statement | 1,750 characters |
Character limits include spaces.
Applicants must also submit a proposed budget in euros, explain other funding arrangements and provide details of exceptional expenses or caregiving needs where applicable.
Your project description should identify a clear research objective, the proposed approach and why the host institution is suitable. Our research proposal writing guide explains how to develop these elements, although Bayer Foundation applicants must follow the shorter character limits specified in the application portal.
How Are Applicants Selected?
Bayer Foundation first checks applications for completeness and eligibility. An independent scientific jury then evaluates eligible submissions.
The published assessment criteria include the quality and relevance of the application, the applicant’s motivation and potential, and the value of the proposed fellowship to their academic development. The personal statement should explain what you hope to gain from the research stay and how it connects to your academic development. Our scholarship motivation letter guide provides examples of connecting previous experience with future goals. Adapt this approach to Bayer Foundation’s personal statement questions rather than submitting a conventional motivation letter.
Collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals are considered particularly desirable.
Applicants should therefore explain why the proposed host offers specific scientific expertise, techniques or facilities that will improve their current research. A clear connection between the project, the host institution and the applicant’s academic goals is more useful than a broad description of the research field.
Careers Help Desk Counter Angle: Secure Your Host Before Preparing the Application
The most significant practical barrier is that Bayer Foundation does not arrange host institutions or research placements.
An otherwise eligible student cannot simply submit a research idea and expect the Foundation to find a laboratory. The applicant must already have a suitable host willing to issue an official support letter.
This requirement should shape your application strategy.
Before investing time in the written statements, contact potential supervisors whose research directly matches your proposed project. Explain the scientific objective, the techniques or facilities you need, the expected duration and the intended start date.
When approaching a prospective host, send a concise message explaining your academic background, proposed project and the reason for selecting their research group. Our guide to emailing professors for research opportunities includes examples that can be adapted for a short-term research placement.
Ask whether the institution can accommodate the placement and provide the required signed support letter.
You should also review your proposed budget with the host. The Foundation’s guidelines specifically recommend this, particularly for accommodation and other location-dependent expenses.
A shorter, financially realistic placement may be more practical than requesting the full six months without sufficient funding.
How to Apply for the Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027
Applications are submitted directly through the official Bayer Foundation online portal.
Step 1: Read the complete fellowship guidelines and confirm your eligibility.
Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships – Guidelines
Step 2: Identify an appropriate host institution and obtain its support letter.
Step 3: Request your recommendation letters and prepare the required documents.
Step 4: Draft the project summary, research description, impact statement and personal statement within the specified limits.
Step 5: Prepare a realistic budget covering eligible expenses.
Step 6: Complete the English-language application form and upload your documents.
Step 7: Review your submission and submit it before 18 January 2027 at 23:59 CET.
Apply for Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027
Only one application is permitted per call. Multiple submissions result in rejection of all applications.
Ready to Apply for Scientific Fellowships
The Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027 offer master’s, PhD and medical students an opportunity to finance a defined international research placement. For prospective applicants, the immediate priority is confirming eligibility under the Germany-based mobility rules and securing a suitable host institution. Once the host arrangement is established, the research proposal, recommendation letters and budget can be prepared around a realistic placement. Applications close on 18 January 2027 at 23:59 CET.
Official programme information: Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027 Call for Applications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are the Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027 open to international students?
Yes. Eligible students enrolled outside Germany can apply for research placements at German institutions. Students enrolled in Germany must undertake their fellowship abroad. The official guidelines do not establish a general nationality restriction.
2. Can I apply without IELTS?
The published fellowship guidelines do not specify an IELTS or TOEFL score requirement. Applications and supporting materials must be submitted in English. A prospective host institution may have its own language requirements.
3. Can bachelor’s students or postdoctoral researchers apply?
No. The Scientific Fellowships 2027 are intended for eligible master’s, PhD and medical students. Bachelor’s students and postdoctoral researchers are excluded.
4. Can I apply without a host institution?
No. Applicants must independently arrange their host placement and submit an official host support letter. Bayer Foundation does not find supervisors or research placements for applicants.
5. Is the €10,000 fellowship fully funded?
Not necessarily. The programme offers up to €10,000 toward eligible expenses, rather than guaranteeing all costs. Applicants must prepare a realistic budget and identify any expenses that exceed the available support. If you need funding for an entire degree rather than a short research placement, our guide to finding fully funded scholarships abroad explains how to identify programmes that cover tuition, living expenses and other eligible costs.
6. When will successful applicants be notified?
Bayer Foundation states that applicants will receive their application outcome by 1 April 2027. Approved fellowships can begin no earlier than 1 August 2027.
Stay connected with Careers Help Desk for the latest international fellowships, scholarships, research opportunities and jobs abroad to empower your future!
0 Comments