The 2026 HFSP Research Grants bring together 117 scientists from 44 countries, reflecting the program’s commitment to supporting international, interdisciplinary collaboration. This year, scientists based in Cambodia, Colombia and Madagascar are participating in HFSP Research Grant teams for the first time.
Their inclusion highlights the growing global reach of HFSP-supported research, extending beyond its Member countries to a wider range of research environments and ecosystems. Across these projects, scientists based in Cambodia, Colombia and Madagascar are integrated within international teams spanning multiple disciplines and continents, underscoring the importance of diverse perspectives in tackling complex questions in the life sciences.
Scientists based in Cambodia are contributing to research exploring how biodiversity shapes immunity and influences the risk of disease spillover. This work, rooted in real-world ecological and public health challenges, benefits from regional expertise and local research capacity.
In Colombia, researchers are part of a project investigating how birds perceive high-frequency sounds through specialized sensory structures. This research advances fundamental understanding of sensory biology and neural mechanisms.
In Madagascar, scientists are contributing to a project examining the evolution of extreme behavioural adaptations in bat flies, parasites of bats. The work draws on Madagascar’s unique biodiversity to address broader questions in evolution and host–parasite interactions.
By welcoming scientists from these countries into its Research Grant program, HFSP continues to strengthen a global network of collaboration, supporting innovative research that crosses borders, disciplines, and scientific traditions.
Since 1989, the HFSP Research Grants program has supported scientists worldwide. In total, 44 countries have hosted HFSP research teams and projects, including the 16 HFSPO Member countries, 14 European countries represented in HFSPO membership by the European Commission, and a further 14 countries from around the world, such as China, Chile, and Uganda.