The International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) is accepting applications for its fellowship programme that funds international research stays in Quaternary science. The scheme targets early‑career researchers and provides financial support of up to €15,000 to help cover eligible travel and living costs for research visits to host institutions abroad. The application deadline is 30 September 2026.
Who the fellowship is for
The programme is intended to strengthen research capacity and international collaboration by enabling researchers from developing economies to work in new scientific environments. The fellowship is particularly relevant to:
- early‑career Quaternary scientists
- graduate students and postgraduate researchers
- researchers from low‑income and lower‑middle‑income economies
Successful applicants can use the funding to undertake research stays at foreign host institutions, with the aim of developing scientific skills, building collaborative networks and advancing individual research projects within the Quaternary field.
What Quaternary research covers
INQUA supports work across the Quaternary — the geological period that spans approximately the last 2.6 million years. The discipline encompasses a range of topics, including:
- past climate change and glacial–interglacial cycles
- environmental change and sea‑level variations
- Quaternary geology and sedimentary processes
- palaeoecology and archaeology, including human–environment interactions
What the fellowship offers and its purpose
The fellowship provides a block of funding to support researchers who wish to spend time at an overseas research institution. The stated objectives of the programme include:
- gaining international research experience
- accessing research environments and expertise not available at home institutions
- strengthening scientific skills and collaborative networks
- establishing long‑term academic partnerships
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Maximum funding | €15,000 (eligible travel and living expenses) |
| Target applicants | Early‑career researchers, graduate and postgraduate students from low and lower‑middle‑income economies |
For South African researchers, the fellowship represents a practical route to gain exposure to international laboratories and field programmes in areas such as palaeoclimate reconstruction, coastal change studies and Quaternary geology. Working abroad can also accelerate access to specialised equipment, expertise and datasets that may be scarce at home institutions.
While the financial award can be substantial, applicants should note that the funding is described as support for eligible travel and living costs; applicants will need to confirm with prospective host institutions whether additional support (for example, bench fees, consumables, or institutional levies) is available.
Practical considerations for applicants
Prospective applicants should prepare a clear research plan that explains how the host institution will advance their project, and how the stay will strengthen their long‑term research capacity. They should also consider realistic budgets for travel and subsistence, and allow time for establishing formal collaborations and institutional approvals.
INQUA’s fellowship scheme is part of broader efforts to build capacity and international networks in Quaternary research. For researchers whose work touches on past climate, sea‑level change or human–environment interactions, the programme offers a targeted opportunity to gain experience that can feed into national research agendas and inform scientific contributions from the region.
Applications and further details are available from INQUA. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2026.
