The programme is open to any researcher worldwide who is active in a field relevant to Development (animal and plant developmental biology, stem cells or regeneration) and who plans to enter the job market in the year of the programme. Applicants are required to have a preprint or published paper related to their independent research proposal.

To apply to be a PI fellow, you will need to complete a short application form via our grants portal. You will have to create an account if you don’t already have one, then select ‘Development PI programme’ from the menu on the left-hand side). You will be asked to provide information about your research career to date and your future research plans. You will also need to upload a CV, publication list and letter of support from your current supervisor.

You will have the opportunity to select which of our Editors you would most like to meet.

Yes. Given the small number of individuals we can support each year, we recognise that we had to decline many excellent applications and are happy to consider these candidates again – assuming you have not yet secured an independent position. We will assess these in the same way we do new applications; a prior negative experience will not count against you.

Given our limited resources, we will only be able to support a small number of candidates. All applications are reviewed by our team of academic and professional Editors. Successful applicants will be selected based on their research record and future plans, the extent to which they are likely to benefit from the PI programme and meeting the eligibility criteria described above.

Applications from shortlisted candidates will receive an in-depth review by one or more academic Editors.

A final selection will be made by a committee comprising our Editor-in-Chief, Executive Editor and a small number of academic Editors.

Our first cohort of PI fellows report that the programme has been hugely beneficial as they navigate their path to independence. The feedback we have received from them includes:

“This programme made me feel part of a community of talented future group leaders and provided me with great opportunities to promote my applications. Sharing is caring!”

“Through their multiple networking and training opportunities, the PI program empowered me with tools to help launch my independent group and connect with peers at the same career stage, creating a supportive environment.”

“This programme has been a game changer for me as I search for an independent position, giving me unprecedented visibility in the community as well as amazing training that will help me in my transition to being a PI.”

We hope that future PI fellows will find the programme equally rewarding, and that – as the programme develops – we will build a supportive network of young PIs across the developmental and stem cell biology field.

Development presents…is the journal’s webinar series. In 2026, we aim to showcase our PI fellows by featuring two of the PI fellows in each webinar.