If you are a research scientist working in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries and you have ever wanted to spend a few months working in a lab in another country, the OECD Co-operative Research Programme Fellowship might be exactly what you are looking for. Applications for the 2027 funding cycle are now open, and this fully funded fellowship allows scientists to conduct research abroad in one of the Programme’s participating countries for a period of six to twenty six weeks.
This guide breaks down everything about eligibility, funding, deadlines, and the application process so you can decide whether this opportunity is right for you and prepare a strong application. For more BS, MS,Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
What Is the OECD CRP Research Fellowship:
The Co-operative Research Programme, known as the CRP, is an OECD initiative focused on strengthening scientific knowledge in food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Its goal is to inform future policy decisions related to the sustainable use of natural resources.
Through the Research Fellowship Awards, the CRP funds scientists to travel to a host laboratory in another participating country. The purpose is to strengthen international exchange of ideas and increase mobility and cooperation among researchers working in these fields.
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Key Facts About the 2027 Fellowship:
Here is a quick overview of the essentials before you dive into the details.
- Fellowship duration ranges from 6 to 26 weeks
- Application deadline is 10 September 2026, midnight Paris time
- Research must take place in a CRP member country other than your own
- Award decisions are announced by mid December 2026
- Successful applicants are notified by January 2027 at the latest
- Research visits are advised to start no earlier than 1 March 2027
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Who Can Apply:
Eligibility for the CRP fellowship is based on a few clear conditions.
- Applicants must work at an institution located in a country participating in the CRP, and the host institution must be in a different participating country
- Applicants should have at least four years of postdoctoral training, since the programme does not target PhD students directly
- In exceptional cases, applicants without a PhD may still be considered if they have equivalent expertise and a strong publication record
- Applicants need a contract with their current employer that guarantees continued employment after the fellowship ends
- If the employment contract is shorter than three years, the applicant’s institution must certify an ongoing scientific affiliation with the host laboratory
- Employer agreement to both the application and the eventual fellowship is required before submission
- Scientists already working in a foreign laboratory cannot apply to remain there
- Anyone who has previously received a CRP fellowship may apply again, but only five years after their first award
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Participating Countries:
The CRP currently includes 32 participating countries. These are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and United States, with Brazil joining as of 1 July 2026.
A few notes worth flagging. Türkiye remains a member until 24 December 2026 but will not take part in the call for fellowships funded in 2027. Brazil becomes eligible for the first time in this funding round. Ukraine is currently on accession stage, so anyone interested in a fellowship connection there should reach out directly to the CRP Secretariat for the latest status.
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What the Fellowship Covers:
The fellowship award is structured as a travel lump sum made up of three parts.
- Travel costs based on a return economy class flight between the fellow’s home laboratory and the host institution
- A weekly subsistence allowance of either 600 EUR or 650 EUR, depending on the cost of living in the host country, meant to cover accommodation, food, and daily incidentals
- A terminal charges allowance of 165 EUR to cover transportation when starting and finishing duties at the host laboratory
It is important to understand what falls outside this funding. The fellowship does not cover medical insurance, family travel costs, laboratory or bench fees, visa costs, or any tax exemptions, since fellows are not considered OECD officials. Successful applicants should arrange their own insurance through their home employer before departure.
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Research Priorities the CRP Is Looking For:
Applications are especially welcome if they connect to the OECD Committee for Agriculture’s priorities, including the following themes.
- Sustainable and resilient productivity growth alongside food security and nutrition
- Climate risk reduction, lowering emissions from agriculture and food systems, and carbon sequestration in agriculture, forestry, and land use
- Halting and reversing forest loss and land degradation
- Reducing negative environmental impacts of livestock production while exploring livestock’s positive contributions to soil health and biodiversity
- Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Improving soil health along with water and air quality through agro-ecological approaches
- Advancing the transfer of agricultural knowledge, including Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems
- Improving productivity, sustainability, and resilience in fisheries and aquaculture
More broadly, the CRP organises its scientific scope around three action areas: shaping behaviours for transformational action, strengthening resilience against multiple global risks, and innovating for sustainable production and productivity. Every fellowship application needs to connect clearly to at least one of these action areas.
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How Applications Are Evaluated:
The Scientific Advisory Body reviews every application against a consistent set of selection criteria. Addressing each of these directly in your application significantly improves your chances.
- Relevance and contribution of the proposed project to the CRP’s aims and action areas
- Scientific excellence and innovation, including clearly defined objectives and achievable outcomes
- Long-term collaboration potential between the fellow and the host institution
- Feasibility of completing the proposed work within the requested timeframe
- The applicant’s scientific track record, including published contributions to the field
- Interdisciplinary value and engagement with audiences beyond the immediate research community
- A clear plan for disseminating results to maximise benefit to society
- Practical impact the research is expected to have on the field
- Policy relevance, particularly how findings could inform national or international agri-food, fisheries, or forestry policy
New collaborations between a fellow and a host institution are given preference over ongoing partnerships, so first-time pairings have a genuine advantage.
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How to Apply Step by Step:
Preparing a fellowship application involves a few clear stages.
- Review the official Guidelines and Conditions along with the Selection Criteria and Action Areas documents to understand what reviewers are looking for
- Study the sample fellowship applications and sample CV provided by the CRP to see how a strong submission is structured
- Secure a signed and dated letter of acceptance from your intended host institution, written on headed paper and stating the proposed dates, mutual contributions, and equipment involved
- Prepare your CV along with a list of publications from the last five years, since these are shared with the Scientific Advisory Body
- Complete the online application form in English, addressing every selection criterion in as much detail as possible
- Submit before the deadline of 10 September 2026, midnight Paris time, and keep the automatic confirmation email as proof of submission
For general questions about eligibility or the process, applicants should contact their country’s National Correspondent. For scientific questions about how a proposed topic fits the CRP’s action areas, the relevant Scientific Advisory Body member is the right contact.
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What Happens After You Are Awarded a Fellowship:
If your application is successful, the CRP Secretariat will confirm your award in writing and ask you to sign a fellowship acceptance form. Around three months before departure, you will receive an official letter of contract with the general terms and conditions, an acceptance form, a model invoice, and a bank details form.
Payment is typically split. For fellowships of 12 weeks or less, half the award is paid once your acceptance form and documents are received, with the remaining half paid after your host laboratory confirms your arrival. For fellowships longer than 12 weeks, payments are split into an initial 50 percent, followed by 25 percent on arrival confirmation, and a final 25 percent halfway through the fellowship.
Fellows are also required to complete an evaluation questionnaire and a summary report within specific timeframes after the fellowship ends. Failing to submit the summary report within two months can result in a request to reimburse 10 percent of the total award, so this step should not be overlooked.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the deadline for the OECD CRP fellowship 2027?
The deadline is 10 September 2026, at midnight Paris time. Applications are submitted through the online application form.
How long does the CRP research fellowship last?
Fellowships can range from a minimum of six weeks to a maximum of twenty six weeks, depending on the scope of the proposed research project.
Who is eligible for the OECD CRP fellowship?
Applicants must work at an institution in a CRP member country and propose to visit a host institution in a different member country. They generally need four years of postdoctoral experience, though exceptional non-PhD candidates with strong publication records may be considered.
Does the CRP fellowship cover family travel or insurance?
No. The fellowship award covers only the fellow’s own travel, subsistence, and terminal charges. Family travel, medical insurance, visa costs, and laboratory fees are not covered and must be arranged separately.
Can someone apply for a second CRP fellowship?
Yes, but only five years after the year their first fellowship was awarded.
When will applicants know the results?
The Governing Body of the CRP makes final award decisions in mid December 2026, and applicants are informed by the Secretariat by email and post in January 2027 at the latest.
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