3rd Open Call is Now Accepting Applications!

Imaging for All (i4A) funding for low- and middle-income country (LMIC) researchers to access imaging infrastructures and training opportunities

Applicants: Researchers and imaging facility scientists affiliated with not-for-profit institutions in low- and middle-income countries (some exceptions may apply)
Hosting institutions: Institutions worldwide (some exceptions may apply)
Dates: The 3rd call for applications is open from 15 December 2025 to 28 February 2026
Funding: Wellcome Trust (UK)

This announcement is the second of a series of open calls for the i4A funding programme aimed at providing researchers and imaging facility staff and management from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with access to biological and biomedical imaging services, as well as imaging-related training opportunities across all continents.

  • Do you have a biological sample that you have longed to visualise with an advanced imaging technique that is currently not accessible to you?
  • Have you encountered a new imaging modality and wondered if it would be the ideal technology for your project but are uncertain about the next steps?
  • Do you wish to explore your scientific question from a new perspective, taking advantage of specialised sample preparation and/or imaging techniques?
  • Are you in the process of developing an imaging assay and need expert guidance?
  • Do you seek hands-on experience with a specific sample preparation method?
  • Do you want to learn how to operate a specific type of microscope?
  • Do you aim to enhance your image analysis skills to quantify your imaging datasets?
  • Do you seek to acquire in-depth knowledge in an imaging modality because you intend to acquire an instrument in your institution and/or train other researchers?
  • Do you want to learn about image data management systems?
  • Do you aspire to acquire skills in managing imaging facilities?

If you are an LMIC researcher or imaging facility professional interested in imaging technologies and relate to these or similar scientific objectives, the i4A programme could offer you the ideal opportunity to secure funding for your projects and your professional development!

Who can apply?

Any researcher or imaging facility staff or management affiliated with a not-for-profit organisation (e.g. university, institute) located in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) is welcome to apply. Please check if the country of your home organisation is classified as an LMIC by using this link.

Please note:

  • All applications will undergo an administrative feasibility check, to ascertain that they secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity.
  • The administrative feasibility check will also ascertain if applications will be incompatible with relevant legal frameworks, including sanctions and export controls.
  • Individual applicants will be considered as the grant recipients and not their affiliated institutions.
  • Successful applicants must comply with the Wellcome Trust grant conditions and grant funding policies, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) travel reimbursement guidelines and i4A sub-awardee terms and conditions.
  • Wellcome Trust does not fund activities that involve the transfer of grant funds into mainland China. Visit here for more information.
  • Wellcome Trust expects that applicants do not hold or are not employed on a research grant from the tobacco industry.
  • Wellcome Trust and therefore EMBL, may not be able to fund you if you, anyone associated with your grants, or your grant activities, are: the target of international sanctions or located in a country that is the target of international sanctions. For more information on WT stance on international sanctions, please visit this link.
  • For more information on Wellcome Trust’s policy on eligibility, please visit this link.

What do we offer?

The i4A programme provides funding for visits to national or international host destinations of your choice that aligns with your imaging-related goals. We only exclude your own institution as the host to promote knowledge exchange across a wider radius.

We offer three distinct grant types, each addressing different access needs and objectives.

Note

Since the 2nd Open Call, the Access and Pro Grants have been updated to include two distinct tracks: the Research Track and the Skills Track, each with specific objectives. Be sure to review the informational pages carefully before planning and submitting your application.

i4A Access Grant supports researchers and imaging facility professionals who want to access imaging facilities and laboratories of their choice worldwide to use biological and biomedical imaging technologies and related services on offer, and to benefit from their imaging expertise.

The grant offers two tracks, each aligned with a specific aim:

  • Access Research Track: For conducting experimental work using biological or biomedical imaging instruments.
  • Access Skills Track: For gaining new imaging-related skills through a personalised, hands-on learning experience.

For detailed information on conditions, application procedures and the selection process, and to submit an application, please refer to the page 'i4A Access Grant Guide'.

i4A Pro Grant supports researchers with substantial experience in imaging (based on self-assessment) and imaging facility professionals who aim to further advance their skills in biological or biomedical imaging technologies, or to apply advanced imaging methods to their research. This grant provides access to GBI partner imaging facilities that have been independently evaluated for their open-access services.

The grant offers two tracks, each aligned with a specific aim:

  • Pro Research Track: For conducting experimental work and significantly expanding research capabilities by applying advanced imaging technologies to specific research questions.
  • Pro Skills Track: For gaining new imaging, management and teaching-related skills through a personalised, hands-on learning experience.

For detailed information on conditions, application procedures and the selection process, and to submit an application, please refer to the page 'i4A Pro Grant Guide'.

i4A Training Grant supports researchers and imaging facility professionals who want to participate in a national or an international in-person training workshop or course of their choice on biological or biomedical imaging technologies, image data analysis, image data management, or imaging facility management with the goal of gaining new skills and knowledge relevant to their research or professional development.

For detailed information on conditions, application procedures and the selection process, and to submit an application, please refer to the page 'i4A Training Grant Guide'.

Reapplication

We welcome applications from candidates who were not selected in the first two rounds, ideally with updated submissions that strengthen their case.

Training Grant awardees who have completed their training course or workshop may apply for Access and Pro Grants. The new application should explain how the proposed Access or Pro Grant visit will build on the skills gained at the attended course/workshop. In exceptional cases, a second application to the Training Grant from a previous Training Grant awardee may also be considered.

Funding extension

Access and Pro Grant awardees who have completed their visits may request additional funding for extended access at the same hosting facility. A limited number of grants are available for this purpose on a rolling basis. If this applies to you, please contact us at i4a_support@embl.de.

Timeline of the 3rd Open Call

For applicants requiring visas for their travel associated with the i4A grant, please inform yourself about visa processing timelines with your respective embassies or consulates while selecting your training course or hosting institution/country.

Note

Scientific visits funded under the 3rd Open Call must conclude by the end of October 2026. Please keep this in mind when preparing an application for this call.

How to apply?

Here is an overview of how the application process works for the i4A funds:

Send us your enquiry to receive pre-application guidance

Pre-application guidance is intended to support you in choosing the most suitable grant track, identifying an imaging facility that matches your project requirements, selecting the most appropriate imaging modality, or finding training opportunities that align with your scientific goals.

To receive guidance on your application, please send us a brief description of your project and/or objectives at i4a_support@embl.de. Include any preferred host(s) or training course(s), or indicate if you would like assistance in deciding.

While it is not mandatory for Access and Training Grant applicants, we recommend taking advantage of this opportunity to discuss your projects and training plans with us, ensuring that your plans are compatible with the i4A grant framework.

For i4A Pro Grant applicants, confirming a suitable host facility with the i4A team before submitting an official application is required. Please consult us prior to contacting potential Pro Grant hosts.

Note

Pre-application guidance is not a substitute for applicants' own exploration of potential hosts or training courses. We encourage applicants to identify possible hosts and courses independently before contacting us and/or alongside our discussions. The resources in our Grant Guides can be a helpful starting point, such as the Microscopy DB table of training courses worldwide or links to services offered by Global BioImaging partner facilities.

Pre-application guidance for Access and Pro Grants will be offered until mid-February and will not be available up to the application submission deadline of 28 February. This is because preparing an application for this call requires time, from identifying and contacting a host institution, to discussing and refining plans, and completing the application. Applicants are therefore advised to plan accordingly if they wish to receive pre-application guidance, and to begin planning their application well before the deadline.

For detailed application procedures specific to each track, please consult our dedicated guides.

We help you with your travel arrangements and offer to pre-fund your visit!

Reimbursement-based funding may pose challenges for LMIC researchers seeking access to facilities and training opportunities, especially in international contexts. In order to address these financial barriers, we aim to directly cover facility and training fees whenever it is possible. Our i4A administrative staff is happy to assist you with booking your tickets and accommodation in a pre-funded manner.

We will provide the grantees with the documentation necessary to facilitate visa applications, outlining the purpose of their visit and funding details.

How many awards will be distributed?

Under the i4A's third open call, our goal is to award approximately 20 Access, 10 Pro, and 20 Training Grants assuming we receive a similar number of applications for all the grant types.

These numbers are not fixed and may vary depending on the distribution of submitted applications across the available tracks.

How do we select our grantees?

We aim for a transparent selection process that uses a point-based evaluation system, whose details can be found in the dedicated guides for each grant type.

In order to strengthen the diversity and international reach of this open call, we aim to avoid disproportionately awarding applicants from any single country relative to the number of submissions received and aim to prioritise diversity in country representation. We will also seek a balanced gender representation. Each track will be evaluated independently against the selection criteria.

Note

Personal data handling: We will collect personal information for the purposes of evaluating the applications, ensuring balanced gender representation in the selection process and generating anonymized statistics. Your personal data will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality. The selection committee that will evaluate the submitted applications will sign a declaration for conflict of interest and a confidentiality agreement and will not discuss your project with other parties.

About i4A

i4A is a grant programme funded by the Wellcome Trust and coordinated by GBI. It is designed to diminish financial obstacles for researchers from low- and middle-income countries in accessing cutting-edge imaging services and imaging-related training opportunities and engaging with the global imaging community. By ensuring fair access to imaging infrastructures, we aim to promote international knowledge exchange and foster the advancement of imaging science worldwide.

Do you have further questions?

We are hosting a Q&A session for applicants and hosts on 14.01.2026. We will answer your questions and support your applications. To register, please use this link.

For your questions and support requests please get in touch with us via i4a_support@embl.de.