The Global Virus Network (GVN) is accepting applications for its Rising Star Mentorship Program (2026 cohort), a two-year, mentor-guided programme for early-career virologists and infectious disease researchers. Five Rising Stars will be selected to start in February 2027, and GVN gives priority to applicants based in low- and middle-income countries, which includes Nigeria and most of Africa.
Deadline: 15 January 2027 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (which is 5:59 am WAT, 6:59 am CAT/SAST and 7:59 am EAT on 16 January 2027).
Important: this is a mentorship programme, not a salary or research grant. GVN says it does not include a standalone grant or stipend; funding covers approved mentorship travel and GVN scientific meetings only.
Key Details
- Organiser: Global Virus Network (GVN)
- Awards: five Rising Stars
- Duration: two years, starting February 2027
- Format: mentor-guided, with site or laboratory visits
- Applications opened: 9 November 2026
- Deadline: 15 January 2027, 11:59 pm ET
- Selection and notification: February 2027
Benefits
- One-on-one mentorship from a senior GVN scientist in research planning, grant writing, scientific publishing and career growth
- Up to US$1,000–1,500 for approved local or regional site or laboratory visits
- Up to US$3,000 for approved international site or laboratory visits
- Support to take part in GVN scientific meetings, where applicable
- A stronger international network; past Rising Stars include researchers from Senegal, Ghana and Zimbabwe
Research Themes
You must apply under one of five themes set by the mentors. Applications that do not clearly fit a theme will not be considered:
- Respiratory viruses, especially influenza
- Arboviruses, especially dengue
- Bloodborne and sexually transmitted viruses, especially mpox or HIV
- Enteric viruses, especially rotavirus or norovirus
- Acute to chronic manifestations of viral diseases, especially hepatitis viruses and COVID-19
Eligibility
- You hold a postdoctoral, research associate, instructor or similar early-career post
- You earned your terminal degree (for example a PhD, MD or DVM) within the last five years
- You have experience in public health research or in basic, medical or veterinary virology
- You have a strong publication record for your career stage
- You can commit to active participation for the full two years
- Priority goes to applicants based in low- and middle-income countries
How to Apply
- Read the full call on the official GVN Rising Star Mentorship Program page and choose the research theme that fits your work.
- Get a letter of nomination (up to 500 words) from a GVN member, or write a self-nomination.
- Write a personal statement of up to 1,000 words on your fit with the theme and your career goals.
- Update your CV with education, research roles, publications and achievements.
- Write a scope of engagement (up to 500 words) describing planned mentorship activities and any site or lab visits within the funding caps.
- Combine everything into one PDF and upload it through the GVN Rising Star online application form before the deadline.
Questions go to [email protected] with the subject line “First and Last Name/GVN Rising Star”.
Tips
- If your institution has a GVN Centre of Excellence or a GVN member, ask for a nomination letter; it is likely to carry more weight than a self-nomination.
- Link your work clearly to one theme. Yellow fever or dengue researchers fit the arbovirus theme, while Lassa fever work is not named in any theme and would need careful framing.
- Plan realistic visits within the US$1,500 local and US$3,000 international caps, and note any visa needs early.
- Keep a full-time job or fellowship in place, as the programme does not pay a salary.
