Gruber Foundation Fellowship in Astrophysics

The Gruber Foundation Fellowship in Astrophysics 2026

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) invites applications for the 2026 Gruber Foundation Fellowship in Astrophysics, a prestigious program supported by the Gruber Foundation. This fellowship is designed to support early‑career astronomers and promote the advancement of cosmology and other branches of astronomy.

Funding of US $ 75,000 per year is provided, typically divided among three recipients as a research grant to cover travel and research expenses in support of a postdoctoral appointment at a host institution. The postdoctoral appointment for the 2026 fellowship must begin no later than 1 October 2026. The fellowship may be combined with other awards.

• Early‑career astronomers within three years of receiving their PhD at the time of application.
• Final‑year PhD students with a confirmed postdoctoral contract offer, with the PhD successfully defended by the fellowship start date (no later than 1 October).
• Early‑career astronomers in a postdoctoral appointment with at least one year of confirmed employment remaining from the fellowship start date.
• Astronomers transitioning to a new postdoctoral position with a contract offer starting no later than 1 October of the award year.

Officially documented career breaks (e.g., parental leave, medical leave, or mandatory military service) do not count toward the three‑year period. There are no nationality limits, but preference will be given to applicants from countries in difficult economic conditions.

• The host institute must be a center of excellence in the applicant’s field and located in a country different from where the PhD was awarded or from where the current post‑doc contract is being completed.
• The host institute should agree to offer basic salary and research facilities, as the GF grant is intended to cover primarily travel and research expenses.
• Up to 10 % of the grant may be used to supplement salary if the host institute covers all salary overheads; a detailed justification must be provided.

Applications open on 1 December each year and are submitted via the dedicated online application form.

Applications should contain:

• The applicant’s full name, address, email address, and current institute address.
• The applicant’s curriculum vitae and list of publications.
• The research project to be carried out at the desired host institute (up to 5 pages + references, text in Times 12 or equivalent font).
• The starting date and period during which the fellowship grant will be used (typically 1 year, up to 2 years at most).
• A draft budget for the use of the grant (e.g., travel for research visits, observing runs, conferences, equipment, software, or open‑access publication costs).
• A letter of appointment to a postdoc position from the director of the desired host institute, detailing salary issues.
• Names and contact information for two reference persons.

Reference letters must be uploaded directly by the reference persons themselves before the Final date to receive applications. After submission, the applicant will receive a link to distribute these letters.

Deadline:
Complete applications must be uploaded no later than 1 March at 11:59 PM Paris Time (UTC+1). Applications received after this date or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome before the end of May. The name of the selected Fellow and the host institute will be announced on the IAU website.

For questions regarding the application, please email IAUinfos