The International Society of Nephrology is accepting applications for the ISN Fellowship — an internationally recognized clinical training initiative for nephrologists from low- and middle-income nations. Kazakhstan qualifies as an eligible upper-middle-income country. Successful fellows complete hands-on advanced clinical training at a premier host institution abroad, subsequently returning to their home public healthcare institution to implement acquired clinical protocols and elevate local nephrology care.
What the Fellowship Funds
- Clinical fellowship training lasting between 3 to 12 months;
- Roundtrip airfare, accommodation, and essential living expenses within an individually calculated budget stipend;
- Advanced clinical curriculum and mentorship overseen by designated home and host mentors.
The grant does not provide a fixed baseline sum; financial support is dynamically tailored according to the host country, fellowship duration, and local living costs. Funding is entirely non-repayable, conditional upon fulfilling fellowship obligations. If an awardee fails to return to their home country within three months following completion of the fellowship, the ISN reserves the legal right to demand a full reimbursement of disbursed funds.
Eligibility Criteria
- Certified physicians with completed postgraduate residency training in internal medicine or nephrology;
- Active employment at a public/state healthcare institution — applications from private clinic personnel are strictly ineligible;
- Active, paid membership in the International Society of Nephrology (ISN);
- Endorsement from both home and host mentors, accompanied by a letter of support from the national nephrology society;
- A legally binding institutional guarantee of re-employment and clinical role continuation upon return.
While there is no rigid age ceiling, equal-merit preference is granted to applicants aged 40 or younger. The program is explicitly designed to provide advanced clinical specialization and procedural skills unavailable in the applicant’s home healthcare system.
Required Application Dossier
- Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and passport documentation;
- Letter of motivation and detailed, milestone-based clinical training curriculum;
- Formal commitment letters from both the home mentor and host mentor;
- Official institutional documentation confirming current employment and guaranteed post-training re-integration;
- Official endorsement letter from the national nephrology association;
- Full disclosure of co-funding or institutional stipends, if applicable.
The online application and all supporting documentation must be submitted in English. While external institutional co-funding is permissible, it must be transparently disclosed, and ISN financial awards may be adjusted accordingly.
Application Deadline and Training Commencement
The deadline for the current cycle is October 1, 2026, at 23:59 CEST (equivalent to October 2 at 02:59 Astana time). Successful applicants may commence their overseas training between February and September 2027.
How to Apply
Begin by reviewing the official ISN Fellowship guidelines, secure written agreements with your host institution and mentors, and submit your application through the ISN Fellowship Online Portal.
Program terms verified as of September 14, 2026.
In the RAEM Grants Directory: ISN Clinical Fellowship in Nephrology — eligibility criteria, host requirements, application status, and official portal link.
