Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program

The relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to, education sciences, psychology, economics, sociology, behavioral science, computer science, pedagogy, linguistics, neurosciences, and science of learning.

Particularly encouraged to apply are scholars who seek to combine multiple levels of analysis and engage in interdisciplinary work. There is a special focus on work to understand and embrace variability in learning, promote the practical application of evidence on human learning and development, and increase the scale-up of effective education policies and practices.

The Jacobs Foundation is especially interested in the following questions:

• How do variations in individuals and contextual factors influence learning and development and learning outcomes?
• How can they design for learner variability at scale to enable all children to reach their potential as learners and in life?
• How can they produce interventions that reduce growing inequalities in children’s learning and overcome disparities in the impacts of digital technologies?
• How can they address the role of data to help learners and teachers make informed decisions about their learning and teaching?
• What school-level learning approaches, environments, and experiences are effective in improving learning outcomes in heterogeneous student groups?

Funding Information

• Funding amount: CHF 150’000
• Funding period: 3 years
• Number of fellowships per year: Up to 12

What the Jacobs Foundation offers?

• Networking and alumni events and opportunity for exchange with other Jacobs Foundation Research Fellows and alumni
• Media channels to disseminate your work to the broader scientific and public audience
• Opportunities for personal and scientific development through integration into the Jacobs Foundation’s network (e.g., exchange on online platform, attendance of conferences, Fellowship meetings)
• A meaningful partnership including ample space for innovative ideas and activities within and beyond the research sector

What the Jacobs Foundation expects?

• Participation in and contribution to events organized by the Jacobs Foundation, e.g., attendance of annual meeting of the Research Fellowship Program
  • Interaction and collaboration with other Fellows
• Contribution to communication activities of the Jacobs Foundation, e.g., BOLD articles
  • Help spread articles on BOLD, e.g., through own social media channels
• Updates on personal and scientific development, e.g., on publications, grants, new positions, media coverage, exchange with policy and decision makers once a year in an annual progress report
• Active partnership with the Jacobs Foundation by providing ideas, and activities, e.g., organizing symposia at international conferences or workshops with other Research Fellows and alumni
  • Interest in the Jacobs Foundation’s national and international programs and, where feasible, active involvment
• Acknowledgment of support through Jacobs Foundation (e.g., in publications, presentations)

Fellowship Terms

• Fellowships are awarded to talented researchers who have received their PhDs within the past 10 years. Funding from Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowships is awarded directly to the fellow’s institution and may be used by the fellow over a three-year period to cover a portion of the fellow’s salary and for any purpose in support of the fellow’s research, such as assistants’ salaries, equipment, technical assistance, professional travel, or trainee support.
• The ideal fellow has not only a great research idea but a significant potential as a researcher to contribute as part of interdisciplinary teams within and beyond the network of the Jacobs Foundation. In addition to providing fellows with independent and competitive funding, the program offers a wide range of non-financial benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

• The ideal candidate
  • has obtained his/her PhD or equivalent degree within the past 10 years;
  • is employed at an institution of higher education or research institute;
  • is conducting high-quality research in an area of interest to the Jacobs Foundation;
  • is committed to engaging with the Jacobs Foundation and the Fellowship Network and contributing to the Foundation’s activities.

Selection Criteria

• The following selection criteria are weighted equally:
  • Past research accomplishments and publication record
  • Creativity and potential for serving as a leader in the scientific community
  • Scientific quality of methods and data
  • International relevance of the fellow’s planned work
  • Potential for promoting human development and learning
  • Alignment of planned projects with the goals of the Jacobs Foundation
  • Willingness to support the Foundation’s aims and to engage with them.

For more information, visit Jacobs Foundation.