The LUMC is committed to fostering talent. Early-career researchers who have the potential to grow towards a junior group leader and will contribute to the LUMC research strategy, are invited to apply for a personal grant as part of the LUMC Gisela Thier Research Fellowship program.

Budget

The grants each have the total amount of € 400,000 for the duration of 4 years.
There will be 3 fellowships available for 2026.

Deadline

The deadline for submitting a preproposal is 01 June 2026.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for early-career researchers who are among the top 10% of peers in their field as evidenced by research output, early signs of potential to attract research funding, initial experience with mentoring, and by being committed to academic citizenship. Moreover, the proposed research project, whether fundamental, translational or clinical, needs to contribute to the LUMC research strategy and its implementation at the level of the host department and LUMC research theme.

Important conditions:

  • Applicants are to be nominated by the head of the department where the successful candidate will be appointed.
  • Each department head may nominate no more than 2 candidates in this round.
  • Applicants should have defended their PhD no longer than five years before the deadline (01 June 2026) to submit a preproposal.
  • Extension clauses apply with a possible extension of up to five years due to parental leave, medical training, or other documented reasons.
  • Applicants cannot hold a permanent position at the LUMC through first funding stream (1e geldstroom).
  • Applicants must be appointed for at least 0.2 FTE on the fellowship for the full duration of the fellowship.
  • The application consists of 3 documents:
    • Preproposal in LUMC format
    • CV in LUMC format
    • Declaration of Support filled out and signed by the department head

How to apply?

Candidates are invited to send their preproposal (see below for the required forms) before
01 June 2026, 23.59h to research@lumc.nl.

Please note that candidates need to have discussed their research proposal with their intended Department head and/or Theme of Innovation to apply.

On applying for multiple internal grants (e.g. Gisela Thier Research Fellowship, Junior PI Fellowship (call will be published in June, Theme PhD call), please read carefully the LUMC Policy regarding the allocation of individual grants from institutional funding (versie 1) which states the internal LUMC policy on applying for internal grants.

Selection

The selection will consist of two phases. First, a LUMC-wide committee will review:

  1. the scientific content of the preproposal
  2. the CV
  3. the fit with the LUMC research strategy
  4. the Declaration of Support by the department head

This will result in a shortlist of max. 10 candidates who will be invited to submit a full proposal and give a pitch on 21 September 2026.

The final decision will be based on the full proposal and pitch.

See the LUMC Gisela Thier Fellowship and LUMC Research Fellowship regulations for further details on eligibility criteria.

Timeline

  • Call published: 01 April 2026
  • Deadline preproposal: 01 June 2026 23:59 CET
  • Preselection on fit to the target group 02 June 2026
  • Judging preproposal, alignment themes and departments 29 June 2026
  • Notification of full proposal selection July 2026
  • Deadline full proposal 01 Sept 2026 23:59 CET
  • Pitches 21 September 2026
  • Notification of selected candidates November 2026
  • Starting date 01 January 2027

Documents