Young scientists from least developed countries who hold an MSc (or higher degree) can visit research laboratories at Centres of Excellence in Trieste, Italy, for three months to carry out collaborative research projects in the fields that fall under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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A South-North-South Circular Programme for Sustainable Development
UNESCO-TWAS, in collaboration with the Lincei Academy and the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), offers young scientists from Least Developed Countries the opportunity to visit research laboratories at Centres of Excellence in Trieste, Italy. (For details, see below and in the application form.) Research proposals must fall under the umbrella of sustainability science and thus be relevant to areas that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The purpose of these exchange fellowships is twofold:
- To enhance the research capacity of promising scientists, especially those at the beginning of their research career
- To catalyze the formation of research links for further collaboration.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, through UNESCO-TWAS, will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Italy. The administration and financial operation of TWAS are undertaken by UNESCO in accordance with an agreement signed by the two organizations.
Eligible host institutions are the following:
- International School for Advanced Studies – SISSA
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology – ICGEB
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics – INFN (only one host supervisor available: Prof. Andrea Vacchi)
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS
- University of Trieste – www.units.it/en
- University of Udine – www.uniud.it/en
- Materials Foundry-National Research Council – IOM-CNR
Only applications in the fields listed on their official site will be considered. Research proposals must be relevant to areas that support the SDGs (please see https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org).
Benefits
The purpose of these exchange fellowships is twofold:
- To enhance the research capacity of promising scientists, especially those at the beginning of their research career
- To catalyze the formation of research links for further collaboration.
Eligibilities
- Applicants must be a maximum age of 40 years on 31 December of the application year
- Applicants must hold an MSc (or higher degree)
- Applicants must be nationals of a least developed country (See the list at: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/least-developed-country-category/ldcs-at-a-glance.html)
- Applicants must hold a research position in the least developed country
- Particular attention will be given to research projects that fall under the umbrella of sustainability science
- Women scientists are encouraged to apply
- Applicants already on site in the host country are not eligible
- Only applications in the scientific fields specified below and listed in the application form will be considered.
Application Process
- Fellowships are awarded by the Selection Committee on the basis of scientific merit.
- Applications should be completed in English.
- Applicants need to submit the complete application form duly signed and send it to the TWAS Secretariat.
- Applications may be sent by email as long as pages with signatures are sent as scanned documents.
- Incomplete/unsigned applications will NOT be accepted.
- Material requested:
– the completed application form;
– a copy of the passport, even if expired (only the page with personal details is required);
– the applicant’s curriculum vitae;
– a statement on scientific interests and future plans for research in sustainability sciences in the home country explicitly referring to which SDGs contributions are likely to be made;
– full list of publications (do not enclose reprints of articles);
– a copy of the MSc (or higher) certificate;
– a recent invitation letter was obtained through one of the eligible host laboratories listed above which should contain the proposed time of the visit (3 months) and should refer to the proposed cooperation. It should be made evident that the applicant and the proposed host have been in contact regarding the scientific work to be done during the visit and that the conditions for conducting the work have been agreed upon in terms of the timing of the visit and the facilities available;
– recent letters of recommendation, must be submitted separately to TWAS by two referees who are familiar with the applicant’s work. N.B. Only signed reference letters can be accepted.It is strongly recommended that you start the process well in advance as the following stages are required:
- study the host institution’s website to consider research areas and possible host supervisors;
- get in touch with the potential host supervisor to introduce yourself and discuss a research plan for a possible visit;
- should there be an agreement, obtain an acceptance letter from the potential host supervisor;
- fill in the form, include all required documentation and send your application by email to [email protected]
Other information
- Applicants must provide evidence that they will return to their home country upon completion of their Fellowship.
- Applications for part-time visits will be considered ineligible.
- Incomplete/unsigned applications will not be accepted. Applications may be sent by email as attachments as long as pages with signatures are sent as scanned documents.
- Successful applicants must not take up other assignments during the period of their TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme.
Looking for fully-funded opportunities, install the Youth Opportunities Android or iOS App here.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2022
Application ClosedOfficial link
