COMSTECH Fellowships for Research and Trainings in Human Nutrition, Nutraceuticals and Food Sciences

Food insecurity remains a pressing global issue, especially in many OIC countries, where challenges such as economic instability, climate change, conflicts, and disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and malnutrition crisis have severely affected food systems. These factors continue to impact food availability, access, and utilization, further highlighting the need for resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. Addressing these challenges requires investing in research, knowledge transfer, and capacity building to develop innovative solutions and strengthen food and nutrition security.

COMSTECH and prestigious CCoE member institutions jointly offer this research fellowship program to young researchers in OIC countries. This initiative offers opportunities for short- to medium-term research placements (3 to 6 months) in advanced institutions, aiming to build technical capacity in agriculture, food security, and related areas. The program seeks to empower early-career professionals by enhancing their research capabilities and fostering long-term collaborations across the OIC scientific community.

Fellowship Program objectives:

• To contribute to the exchange of knowledge and experience among researchers, scientists and working professionals in the area of improving the food security and development of sustainable agriculture through trainings and research opportunities.
• To build the capacity and increase awareness of fellows in the comprehensive domain of food security.
• To strengthen the local capacity of fellows from OIC least-developed countries for the appliance of the gained knowledge and practices in their home countries.

Thematic areas

The Fellowship Program offers opportunities in areas related to the below themes. The thematic areas are subject to revision and modification as per the requests of OIC member countries.

1. Plant Biotechnology
2. Human Nutrition
3. The Water-Food-Energy Nexus
4. Food Science and Technology
5. Nutraceuticals / Food-Medicine Continuum
6. Agro-Business, Trade, Food Value Chains
7. Agricultural Technology and Innovations
8. Neglected Food Crops

Eligible countries: All OIC member states.

Minimum qualification held: MS/Ph.D.

Host Institutions List of CCoE Members

Duration: 3-6 months

Selection Criteria: Only 10 fellowships are available and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility

Age limit: Maximum 35 years (for MS/Ph.D.), 45 years (For Post-Doc)

Mode of Submission of  : Click Here
Applications can only be submitted via email to COMSTECH Headquarters, Islamabad, Pakistan

 (khazima@comstech.org or comstech@comstech.org) and will be jointly reviewed by a committee of experts from COMSTECH and the host institutions.

Eligibility

• The fellowship program is open to citizens of all OIC member states and the OIC least-developed countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda and Yemen.
• Applicants must have at least a Bachelor’s degree; having Master’s or Ph.D. degrees will be an asset. The academic background in food security, agriculture, food science, food safety, or another related field.
• Applicants with Bachelor’s degrees must have at least 5 years of substantive professional experience, preferably in government or national research institutions after university graduation. For applicants with a Master’s or Ph.D., at least 3 years of professional experience, preferably in a government or national research institution.
• Fluent and proficient in English, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Available full-time (40 hours per week) during the entire duration of the fellowship.
• COMSTECH will accept applications on a yearly basis and select the candidates based on the pre-approved selection criteria.

Language: The fellowship will be conducted in English language.

Research fellowships are awarded by OIC-COMSTECH, as well as by the Joint Scholarship Committee of the host institutions, based on scientific merit.

Deadline: July 31^st, 2025

Call details

Research Fellowship Offers:

• Scholarships are offered for three to six months, extendable upon recommendation from the host institution.
• COMSTECH will cover, low-cost international airfare and visa fees, if applicable.
• Host institutions are expected to provide accommodation, subsistence supervision and mentoring of local training.

Contact details:

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone number: 92 51 9220681-3
Fax: 92 51 9211115, 9220265, 9205264
Email: Khazima@comstech.org; comstech@comstech.org