Open Call: ICGEB-DIC-MOST International Fellowship Programme

The Programme supports the mobility of researchers to prestigious Chinese laboratories for a period of 3, 6 or 12 months, to benefit from the expertise and technologies available in the receiving laboratories.

The IFP is a new initiative launched by the 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, and other ICGEB Member States involved in the Belt and Road initiatives. The Programme supports short-term fellowships of scientists from ICGEB Member States in these regions 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.

Funding Information

• The funding standard is fixed at a monthly stipend of 20,000 RMB Yuan (approximately 2,800 USD/month) before tax to cover the cost of international travel, housing and living expenses, insurance (insurance is required and includes at least medical insurance and personal accident insurance). The fellowship stipend will be paid through bank transfer to the fellow’s bank account.
• Fellowships are awarded for periods of 3, 6 or 12 months. Any requests for alternative durations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• The fellowships cover the salaries of the fellows and are awarded in the context of the Chinese “Talented Young Scientist Program”.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Call is open to nationals of ICGEB Member States (Chinese nationals are not eligible), although nationals from Asia, Africa and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiatives are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants (< 45 years old) should have performed at least 2 years of post-doctoral research and wish to spend 3, 6 or 12 months at a partnering research institute in China. In case of equal scientific merit preference is given to younger and/or female scientists.

Selection Criteria

• The ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee will evaluate complete applications received by the closing date and shortlist the best candidates on the basis of scientific merit. Final selections will then be made by the CNCBD Selection Committee and the China Science and Technology Exchange Center (CSTEC).
• CNCBD will notify both selected and rejected candidates by e-mail as soon as the selection procedure is concluded – approximately 2 months after the application deadline.

Application Requirements 

• The application is to be completed online according to the guidelines and the application.
• Please note that you will be requested to upload the following documents (pdf files):
  • PhD degree certificate: The PhD degree certificate, issued by the degree-granting University and bearing the official seal/s and signatures, should be submitted in the original language accompanied by English translation.
  • Work consent: Work consent from the Partnering Institute/Principal Investigator contacted by the applicant stating his/her willingness to support the fellow’s research project and provide all necessary laboratory space, equipment and facilities.
  • Passport: Recommended passport validity should be 12 months at least.
  • English language certificate (if available): English language proficiency (such as TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate or equivalent). This document is not required when scholastic education has been undertaken in English.

For more information, visit ICGEB.