Overview
ESA has opened its 2027 Research Fellowships in Space Science for early-career postdoctoral scientists working in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics or fundamental physics.
Complete fellowship details
The annual Space Science fellowship selection is part of ESA's wider postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme. Successful fellows conduct independent and collaborative research within ESA's scientific environment at relevant European establishments. ESA's current call highlights research in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics and directs applicants to the official Space Science Faculty application page.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants should have recently completed, or be close to completing, a PhD in a relevant scientific or technical discipline. ESA states a preference for candidates applying within five years of receiving their PhD. Applicants must hold citizenship of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, European Cooperating State or Canada as a Cooperating State; applicants should confirm the full nationality list in the relevant vacancy materials.
Tips for this fellowship
Practical Job and Scholarship guidance. These tips do not replace official rules or create new eligibility requirements.
- Confirm nationality eligibility against the current ESA vacancy materials.
- Present a research proposal aligned with the Space Science Faculty's scientific environment and your recent PhD expertise.
- Check eligibility, funding coverage, study/project level and every required document before investing time in the application.
- Prepare transcripts, references, language tests, proposal/motivation statement and proof documents early.
- Separate the scholarship deadline from any university/program admission deadline; they may be different.
- Treat “fully funded” as a source fact only when the official provider explicitly confirms the covered costs.
Verification notes
Verified on ESA's official Careers at ESA announcement on 2 September 2026. Applications for the 2027 Space Science fellowship selection are open through 21 September 2026 and ESA links to its official Space Science Faculty application page. No fellowship salary, travel, housing or visa benefit was added because the reviewed call page does not state a specific amount.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
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