Postdoctoral Fellowship for Early-Career Researchers

Vilnius University Foundation (the Foundation), seeking to attract early-career researchers with internationally recognized experience to VU and support their integration at the University, will award incentive Postdoctoral Fellowships (the Fellowship) in 2026.

This year, the Foundation will allocate up to EUR 85,000 from the returns on its endowment investments to fund 2–4 Fellowships. The amount of a single Fellowship, paid in installments over 2–3 years, may reach up to EUR 30,000 (including applicable personal income tax).

Academic units are invited to propose candidates to the VU CA Research and Innovation Department who would enhance VU’s international competitiveness and promote Lithuanian science worldwide.

All early-career researchers meeting the criteria described below are eligible to apply for incentive Fellowships if they have secured an academic position by participating in the 2026 VU academic staff or research group leader (“My First Team”) competitions. VU academic units may also nominate other candidates who meet the criteria:

• the researcher obtained a doctoral degree no more than 7 years ago (periods of parental leave are not included in this time limit);

• the researcher has internationally recognized experience (studies, employment, or long-term research visits at leading foreign research institutions; participation in international research projects; scholarly publications in high-level international journals; and other international research activities);

• the researcher’s current or awarded academic position is one of the following: junior researcher, researcher, senior researcher, or postdoctoral fellow.

Selection process and timelines:

• by 1 March 2026, VU academic units, having obtained the researchers’ consent, submit candidates for the Fellowship to the Research and Innovation Department;

• by 15 March 2026, a special commission appointed by the Rector’s order compiles a list of recommended recipients from the nominated candidates and submits it to the Foundation;

• by 1 April 2026, taking into account the received recommendations and the funds allocated for the fellowships, the Foundation makes a decision on the Fellowship recipients, amounts, and payment schedules;

• by 1 September 2026, but not earlier than after the researchers have concluded employment contracts with VU, the Foundation signs financial support agreements with the Fellowship recipients.

VU academic units shall submit candidate information (name and brief overview of international experience) to the VU CA Research and Innovation Department via the DMS “Avilys”. For any questions, please contact mokslas@cr.vu.lt