ICTP Training and Research in Italian Laboratories (TRIL) Fellowship Programme 2026 (With Funding Available)

Published: March 30, 2026
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Category: Masters Fellowship Training Grants
Oppotunity Locations: Italy

Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) is currently accepting applications for its Training and Research in Italian Laboratories (TRIL) Fellowship Programme 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.

About ICTP TRIL Fellowship Programme

The TRIL Programme offers scientists from developing countries the opportunity to undertake training and research in an Italian laboratory in different branches of the physical sciences. The aim of the programme is to promote, through direct contacts and side-by-side high-level research, collaborations between the Italian scientific community and individuals, groups and institutions in developing countries. This programme thus addresses an important aspect of the mission of ICTP, namely to help form and strengthen a permanent scientific expertise in developing countries, cognisant of local needs and resources and of the frontiers of science and technology, and to provide support towards a sustainable capacity in basic and applied research that can help their nations' progress.

Sponsor Organisation: Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)

Benefits of ICTP TRIL Fellowship Programme

A limited number of fellowships are fully funded by the TRIL Programme. The expectation is that a fellowship will be jointly funded by the hosting laboratory. As the demand for financial aid always exceeds the available funds, applicants are strongly encouraged to seek sponsorship from their local sources to contribute towards their travel expenses.

Fellows receive a monthly grant in Euro to cover their living costs, such as lodging, meals, local travel and incidentals while on the fellowship, as follows:

- Euro 1,300 for students pursuing a Ph.D. (or its equivalent)
- Euro 1,500 for scientists with a Ph.D. degree less than 5 years
- Euro 1,600 for scientists with a Ph.D. degree more than 5 years

In very exceptional cases, the monthly grant can differ from the above scheme.

Eligible fellows will receive a prepaid ticket from the ICTP Operations and Travel Unit. No travel contribution is foreseen for accompanying family members.
As medical insurance is obligatory in Italy, fellows who come to Italy without worldwide valid medical insurance coverage, will be provided free health insurance coverage, through an external insurance company for the duration of their stay.
The host institution will provide the Fellow with laboratory space and other facilities necessary for the project. The host laboratory generally provides assistance to fellows to find accommodation.
In the event of early termination of the fellowship, any payments made after the date of termination, will have to be returned to the ICTP.

ICTP TRIL Fellowship Programme Requirements

Criteria for TRIL Fellowships

Individuals wishing to be considered for a fellowship award must ensure that they meet all the following criteria:

Be a national of a developing country;
Be in possession of at least a university Master's Degree;
Be proficient in reading and writing English. Applicants may be requested to present an English proficiency certificate or a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) certificate;
Reside in a developing country (studying or working) at the time of selection.

Individuals from developed countries are not eligible to apply to the TRIL Programme.
Applications from young talented scientists who have already acquired a certain degree of research experience, with published papers to their credit, will be given preference. Priority attention will be given to female candidates and to applicants from least developed countries (LDCs). Applications from senior scientists are also welcome.
Former TRIL fellows may apply again, only if the total length of the previous award (plus any extensions) did not exceed 24 months. Should the previous award exceed this limit, an application will be considered after a 24-month break.
Individuals wishing to prolong their visit in Italy, which initiated from other organizations, institutes or laboratories, are discouraged from applying to the TRIL Programme.
Applications that do not meet all the eligible requirements will not be considered.

Application Date and Process

Before filling in the TRIL online application form, applicants should:

prepare their Curriculum Vitae in .pdf format;
prepare a complete list of publications (including books and articles) in anti-chronological order in .pdf format. The title of papers should be listed and the journal where they are published. Two separate lists should be included in the file: one for peer reviewed (ISI) journals and one for non-ISI journals. Unpublished works may be mentioned under a different heading.