RFAs: SNF Global Center Research Fellowship Program

Deadline: 01-Jun-2026

The SNF Global Center Research Fellowship Program is a competitive funding and career development initiative that supports early-career researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It focuses on advancing child and adolescent mental health research that responds directly to local community needs.

The program supports long-term research projects, training, mentorship, and international collaboration to strengthen global mental health research capacity while keeping fellows based in their home institutions.

Purpose of the Fellowship

The fellowship aims to:

• Advance child and adolescent mental health research in LMICs
• Improve understanding of mental illness mechanisms
• Support development of innovative treatment and prevention strategies
• Strengthen equity in mental health care access
• Promote early identification and intervention for vulnerable populations

Key Research Focus Areas

The program supports research in:

• Mechanisms and causes of mental illness
• Innovative mental health treatments
• Prevention strategies for mental health conditions
• Equity and access to mental health care
• Early diagnosis and intervention for at-risk children and adolescents

Funding Details

• Funding amount: up to USD $550,000 per project
• Duration: 4 to 5 years per project
• Number of awards: up to 2 research projects for the 2026 cohort
• Funding use:
  • Research implementation
  • Training and capacity building
  • Career development activities

Additional support includes:

• Academic mentorship
• Professional development training
• Global networking opportunities
• International research collaboration visits

Fellowship Structure

• Fellows remain based at their home institutions in LMICs
• Selected fellows may undertake international research stays
• Projects combine local relevance with global scientific collaboration
• Emphasis on long-term academic career development

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be early-career researchers within 10 years of completing a doctoral degree
• Be employed by an eligible host institution in an LMIC
• Be nominated by their institution
• Commit at least 50 percent of full-time work to the fellowship

Host institution requirements:

• Must be an officially recognized research institution in an LMIC
• Must have a proven track record in research activity
• Can nominate up to 2 candidates per institution
• Only nominated candidates can apply

Selection and Application Process

• Institutions first nominate eligible candidates
• Nominated researchers submit full applications
• Applications are reviewed based on research quality and relevance
• Final selection is made for up to two fellows in the 2026 cohort

Who It Benefits

The fellowship supports:

• Early-career mental health researchers in LMICs
• Children and adolescents affected by mental health conditions
• Vulnerable and underserved populations
• Academic institutions in LMICs building research capacity

Key Features

• Long-term funding for up to 5 years
• Strong focus on local relevance and global collaboration
• Integrated training and mentorship support
• Institutional nomination-based application process
• Emphasis on equity in mental health research

Common Misunderstandings

• It is not open for individual direct applications without nomination
• It is not a short-term grant; it supports multi-year research
• It is not limited to funding only; it includes training and mentorship
• Applicants must remain affiliated with LMIC institutions

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the SNF Global Center Research Fellowship?
  • A long-term fellowship supporting child and adolescent mental health research in LMICs
  • It combines funding, training, and mentorship
• How much funding is provided?
  • Up to USD $550,000 per project
  • Funding duration is 4–5 years
• Who can apply?
  • Early-career researchers within 10 years of PhD completion
  • Must be employed at an LMIC institution
  • Must be nominated by their institution
• How many fellows are selected?
  • Up to two research projects in the 2026 cohort
• Can individuals apply directly?
  • No
  • Only nominated candidates can apply
• What does the fellowship support beyond funding?
  • Mentorship
  • International collaboration opportunities
  • Professional and academic training
• What is required from host institutions?
  • Must be LMIC-based research institutions
  • Can nominate up to two candidates
  • Must support research activity and participation

Conclusion

The SNF Global Center Research Fellowship Program is a high-impact initiative designed to strengthen child and adolescent mental health research in low- and middle-income countries. By combining long-term funding, mentorship, and global collaboration, it enables early-career researchers to build strong academic careers while addressing urgent mental health challenges in their local contexts.

For more information, visit Child Mind Institute.