Submit Applications for TWAS Postgraduate Fellowship Programme

Objectives

• The objectives and guidelines of this call are to:
  • collaborate with developing countries in training human resources for research;
  • promote scientific and technological development in selected areas;
  • promote the internationalization of Brazilian research centers and universities;
  • foster cooperation between foreign researchers and the establishment of research networks; and
  • promote educational, popularization and scientific dissemination actions for different types of audiences, reaching broad sectors of society, in conjunction with specialists, groups and institutions that work in the areas of formal and non-formal education (for example: schools, extension centers, museums, science centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, visitor centers of conservation units and non-governmental organizations).

Focus Areas 

• Proposals must cover at least one of the following areas of interest:
  • Agricultural Sciences;
  • Structural, Cellular and Molecular Biology;
  • Biological Systems and Organisms;
  • Medical and Health Sciences, including Neurosciences;
  • Chemical Sciences;
  • Engineering Sciences;
  • Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences;
  • Mathematical Sciences;
  • Physics;
  • Social and Economic Sciences; and
  • Computing and Information Technology

Funding Information

• The approved proposals will be financed with resources totaling R$8.600.000.00 (Eight million and six hundred thousand real), from the CNPq budget, to be released according to the CNPq’s budgetary and financial availability, to support up to 50 full doctoral fellowships in the country.
• Other resources from future partnerships may be used to supplement approved proposals under this call or to initiate new projects based on merit.
• When the disbursement occurs over multiple financial years, each transfer will be subject to CNPq’s budgetary and financial availability.

Eligible Costs

• Visa Cost Assistance: Assistance for expenses related to visa procedures carried out in the country of origin in the amount of up to two hundred and fifty US dollars (US$ 250).
• Travel Assistance: Two round-trip travel tickets from the country of origin to Brazil and back.

Eligibility Criteria 

• The eligibility criteria is mandatory and the absence of any of them will result in the rejection of the proposal:
  • have the CV registered on the Lattes Platform, updated by the deadline for submitting the proposal;
  • have a masters degree;
  • have a good command of Portuguese. Spanish or English language;
  • not have a permanent or temporary residence visa in Brazil or in a developed country and not be residing in these locations;
  • provide evidence that they will return to their home country upon completion of the fellowship (The applicant must indicate, on the TWAS form, their agreement to return to their home country upon completion of the doctorate).
  • not to assume other responsibilities during the fellowship period and commit to focusing exclusively the activities defined in their project/work plan approved by CNPq and UNESCO-TWAS;
  • present a certificate of proficiency in Portuguese. Spanish, or English. For English: provide evidence, such as a standardized test result (e.g. TOEFL. IELTS. etc.) If the education academic trajectory was carried out in English, Portuguese or Spanish, present the high school diploma, higher education or masters degree (MSc) certificates in these languages as applicable;
  • provide a letter of acceptance from the chosen Brazilian host institution;
  • present a detailed research plan, as per item 6.6;
  • be financially responsible for any accompanying family members; and
  • have the nationality of a developing country (except Brazil).
• In the proposal submission form, the applicant must declare, for legal purposes. that he/she is not in default with CNPq and the Federal Public Administration, directly or indirectly, under penally of rejection.
• If, at any time, the declaration is found to be false, CNPq will take the appropriate measures given the evidence of a crime of ideological falsehood.

For more information, visit The World Academy of Sciences.