Applications Invited for ICGEB-DIC-MOST International Fellowship Program 2020

About the Organization:

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is a unique intergovernmental organisation initially established as a special project of UNIDO. They play a key role in Biotechnology worldwide for excellence in Research, Training and Technology Transfer to industry to contribute in concrete terms to the achievement of sustainable global development and its operations are aligned to those of the United Nations System.

ICGEB-DIC-MOST International Fellowship Program (IFP):

The ICGEB-DIC-MOST International Fellowship Program (IFP) offers competitive Short-term Fellowships in Life Sciences to highly motivated scientists from the eligible ICGEB Member States wishing to pursue postgraduate research in China. The Program supports the mobility of researchers to prestigious Chinese laboratories for a period of 6 or 12 months, to benefit from the expertise and technologies available in the receiving laboratories.

The International Fellowship Program (IFP) is a new initiative launched by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Department of International Cooperation of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (DIC-MOST). The IFP Call is managed by the China National Center for Biotechnology Development (CNCBD) with the support of the ICGEB.

The IFP is aimed at promoting the training of scientists and researchers in developing countries and emerging economies, particularly in Asia, Africa and countries involved in the Belt and Road initiatives. The Program supports short-term fellowships of scientists from eligible ICGEB Member States in these regions as listed below (see Eligibility section) to prestigious Chinese laboratories as a way of enhancing skill development, acquiring specific hands-on training in technologies available in the receiving laboratory and increasing bilateral cooperation in science and technology between China and the relevant ICGEB Member State.

Eligibility:

1. As per the rules of the “Young Talented Scientist Program” funded by the Chinese MOST, the Call is open exclusively to nationals of the following countries:

• Europe: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia
• Africa: Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, Nigeria, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania
• Asia: Bangladesh, India, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam
• Middle East: Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey
• Central America & Caribbean: Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Panama
• South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

2. Applicants should have received a Ph.D. degree; in case of equal scientific merit, preference is given to applicants with postdoctoral experience.

3. Applicants wish to spend 6 or 12 months at a partnering research institute in China.

4. No age limit applies. However, in case of equal scientific merit, preference is given to younger and/or female scientists.

Terms and benefits

• Fellowships are awarded for periods of 6 or 12 months. Any requests for alternative durations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• The fellowships cover the stipends of the fellows and are awarded in the context of the Chinese “Talented Young Scientist Program”. The funding standard is fixed at a monthly stipend of 12,500 RMB Yuan (approximately 2,000 USD/month before tax) to cover the cost of housing and living expenses. The fellowship stipend will be paid through bank transfer directly to the bank account of the Partnering Institute where the fellow works. Travel costs are not covered by the fellowship. Travel expenses shall be borne by the fellow or by the Partnering Institute, to be agreed.
• The Partnering Institute in China will provide health insurance, adequate laboratory space and set up, as well as laboratory consumables and assist the fellows with visa/permit of stay procedures and any necessary administrative issue. Partnering Institutes will also provide support to the fellows for accommodation and logistics.

How to apply:

• As a first step, applicants should contact the Principal Investigators (PI) in the Partnering Institute of their choice to define together the research project proposal that will be submitted for evaluation. Applications should outline the impact for the fellow’s career, the benefit to the home laboratory and the suitability of the receiving laboratory. Proposed projects should show clear evidence of strong collaborative potential between the originating laboratory and the Chinese laboratory of destination.
• The Partnering Institute shall provide the applicant with a “work consent” letter to state its willingness and capacity to host the fellow (both in terms of available laboratory space and administrative/logistics/insurance obligations undertaken). The “work consent” declaration should be submitted by the applicant as part of her/his application documents.

Deadlines: 15 April

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