Grass Fellowship 2027 at the Marine Biological Laboratory

Grass Fellowships support investigator-designed, independent research projects by early-career scientists during 14 weeks starting on Memorial Day at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Supported approaches include neurophysiology, biophysics, integrative neurobiology, neuroethology, neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology, systems, cellular and developmental neurobiology and computational approaches to neural systems; the Foundation also has a longstanding interest in epilepsy-related research. Fellows receive laboratory space, animals, equipment and supplies, with a USD 5,000 research budget for animals, reagents, small equipment, facility fees and sequencing, plus housing, a daily meal allowance and round-trip travel for the fellow, spouse or partner and dependent children. Fellows share the Grass Lab, attend a weekly private seminar series and interact with the annual Forbes Lecturer; about 7-10 fellowships are awarded each year, and the Kavli Foundation supports Kavli-Grass Fellows working on neurobiology and changing ecosystems. Applications include a research proposal of up to four pages and are due on 1 December 2026; recommendation letters must arrive by 7 December 2026.

Early-career investigators from late-stage predoctoral trainees through postdocs and early faculty may apply, including MBL course alumni and previous MBL or Grass Foundation affiliates; priority goes to applicants committed to a research career. Applicants should not combine the fellowship with writing a PhD thesis. Fellows who are not US citizens or resident aliens must hold a valid visa (e.g. J-1, H-1B, F1 or F1-OPT) for the entire fellowship.