Deadline: 15-Apr-2026
The IBRO Rising Stars Awards provide start-up grants to help early career neuroscientists establish their first independent laboratories and strengthen their research careers. Funding varies by region, ranging from USD 8,000 to USD 30,000, and is aimed at laboratory start-up needs, especially for researchers from underrepresented or under-resourced backgrounds.
Overview
The IBRO Rising Stars Awards support neuroscientists who are transitioning into independent research roles.
The programme is designed to help applicants:
- Set up their first independent lab
- Launch research activities in under-resourced settings
- Build long-term scientific capacity
- Increase future chances of securing additional funding
- Strengthen research visibility and publications
It is especially focused on improving access for researchers with limited prior financial support.
Funding Information
Funding depends on the applicant’s region:
- Asia-Pacific: Up to USD 10,000
- Africa: Up to USD 10,000
- Latin America: Up to USD 8,000
- Pan-Europe: Up to USD 15,000
- US/Canada: Up to USD 30,000
What the Grant Supports
The award is strictly for laboratory start-up needs, such as:
- Basic lab establishment
- Research tools and methods
- Equipment or essential setup costs
- Capacity-building for sustainable research activity
What the Grant Does Not Support
The grant does not cover:
- Travel
- Conference expenses
- Institutional overhead costs
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be:
- Early career neuroscientists
- Starting or having started their first independent laboratory as Principal Investigator
- Begun in 2025, or expected to begin in 2026
Early career definition
An early career neuroscientist is someone:
- Within the first 5 years of their initial faculty appointment
Priority Considerations
Priority is given to applicants who:
- Have not received significant financial support from other sources
- Can use the award to attract matching or follow-on funding
- Come from diverse, underrepresented, or under-resourced backgrounds
Regional Eligibility Notes
Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America
Priority may be given to applicants who:
- Built careers in higher-income countries
- Have returned to their home country
Pan-Europe
Applicants must be based in:
- Low- and middle-income countries
US/Canada
Applicants must:
- Hold academic positions in the U.S. or Canada
Why This Award Matters
This is a strong opportunity for early career neuroscientists who need seed support to become independent.
It helps applicants:
- Establish a functioning lab early
- Gain recognition as an independent researcher
- Improve publication and research output
- Build momentum for larger grants later
- Strengthen neuroscience capacity in underserved settings
How to Apply
- Confirm you are within 5 years of your first faculty appointment
- Ensure your first independent lab started in 2025 or will start in 2026
- Check your regional eligibility rules
- Build a clear lab start-up plan
- Show limited prior funding, if applicable
- Explain how the award will support future research and funding growth
- Prepare a budget only for lab start-up needs
Tips for Applicants
- Keep the budget tightly focused on essential lab setup
- Clearly explain why the funding is critical at this stage
- Highlight if you have had limited previous support
- Show how the award can unlock future grants or matching funds
- Emphasize long-term local and scientific impact
FAQ
What is the IBRO Rising Stars Award?
It is a start-up grant for early career neuroscientists to help establish their first independent research laboratory.
How much funding is available?
Funding varies by region:
- USD 8,000–10,000 in Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific
- USD 15,000 in Pan-Europe
- USD 30,000 in the U.S./Canada
Who is eligible?
Applicants must be:
- Within 5 years of their first faculty appointment
- Starting or having started their first PI lab in 2025 or 2026
Can the grant be used for travel or conferences?
No. It cannot be used for:
- Travel
- Conferences
- Institutional overhead
Who gets priority?
Priority goes to applicants who:
- Lack major previous funding
- Are from underrepresented or under-resourced backgrounds
- Can use the award to secure additional funding later
Conclusion
The IBRO Rising Stars Awards are an excellent opportunity for early career neuroscientists needing initial support to launch an independent lab.
With region-specific grants of up to USD 30,000, the programme is especially valuable for researchers with limited prior funding who want to build sustainable neuroscience research capacity and strengthen their future grant prospects.
For more information, visit IBRO.
