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🎓 Fellowships
Emerging Research Fellowships in Pain Science & Neuroscience
A curated list of fellowships and early-career grants for researchers working in pain science, nervous system health, and related fields.
Active Fellowships (2026)
NINDS Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31)
- Amount: Up to $45,000/year (stipend + tuition)
- Eligibility: PhD students in neuroscience-related programs
- Deadline: April, August, December (rolling)
- Focus: Any nervous system research area
- Link: grants.nih.gov
IASP Early Career Research Grant
- Amount: Up to $50,000
- Eligibility: Researchers within 10 years of terminal degree
- Deadline: February 2027
- Focus: Pain research — basic, translational, or clinical
- Organization: International Association for the Study of Pain
Rita Allen Foundation Scholar Award
- Amount: $100,000/year for 3 years ($300K total)
- Eligibility: Junior faculty in pain research
- Deadline: September 2026
- Focus: Innovative pain research
- Notable: Very prestigious — past winners have gone on to major discoveries
K99/R00 Pathway to Independence (NIH)
- Amount: Up to $250,000/year
- Eligibility: Postdocs transitioning to independent faculty
- Deadline: Rolling
- Focus: Any biomedical research, including neuroscience
- Note: One of the most competitive and career-defining grants
Wellcome Trust PhD Studentships
- Amount: Full funding (stipend + fees + research costs)
- Eligibility: International applicants
- Deadline: November 2026
- Focus: Neuroscience and mental health
- Location: UK-based institutions
How to Use This Information
If you're a student or early-career researcher interested in nervous system health:
- Start with F31/F32 (NIH) — These are designed specifically for trainees
- Join IASP — The International Association for the Study of Pain has extensive resources for early-career researchers
- Attend conferences — Many grants are awarded to people who've presented their work publicly
- Talk to your mentor — They've been through the process and can help you identify the best fit
Listings curated from NIH Reporter and organization websites. All data is public domain or publicly available. Verify deadlines directly with funding organizations.