FENS / IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships

Directed at Master and PhD students as well as early-career postdocs in Europe, this program aims to foster and broaden their scope of methodological training by supporting goal-directed laboratory visits in established European laboratories.

In their mutual and strong commitment to support early career researchers and intra-European mobility, with a set goal of advancing neuroscience research and training in Europe, FENS and the IBRO Pan-Europe Regional Committee (IBRO-PERC) are pleased to announce the launch of the FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Program.

To apply, candidates must:

• Be Master or PhD students in neuroscience or early postdoctoral fellows (within 5 years of starting their postdoc) currently based in Europe.
  • Applicants resident in Africa, Asia and Latin America should apply via the general IBRO Exchange Fellowships program page here.
• Be members of a FENS member society, individual FENS members, or members of an IBRO organization in the Pan-Europe region that is not a FENS member (see list below*).
• Have acceptance from the host laboratory.
• Have recommendation from the home laboratory.

* Eligible organizations include Armenian IBRO Association; Austrian Academy of Sciences; Israel Academy of Sciences & Humanities; Italian Association of NeuroImmunology; Russian Academy of Sciences; Slovak Academy of Sciences; Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS, Spain); Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; Brain Research Society (BARD) in Turkey.

• Duration: 4 weeks (minimum) to 4 months (maximum). Stays exceeding 4 months must detail additional funding sources and outcomes for the FENS/IBRO-PERC-supported period.
• Location: Both home and host laboratories must be based in Europe, and the exchange must involve a change of country.
• Timeline: The fellowship must be completed within one year of being awarded.
• Budget Restrictions: Eligible expenses include travel (economy class) and housing. Insurance, equipment, groceries, and personal items are not covered.
• Report Submission: A final report is required within two months of completing the fellowship.
• Application Limitation: Candidates may submit only one application for one fellowship at one host laboratory per application round.
• Payment Structure: 60% of the grant will be awarded at least two weeks before the fellowship begins, with the remaining 40% provided upon completion of the exchange and submission of the grant report.

Evaluation Criteria

To ensure transparency and support applicants in preparing strong submissions, please note that your application will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:

• Scientific and Training Quality
  • The scientific merit and clarity of your proposed research during the fellowship.
  • The quality and relevance of the planned training, particularly in terms of new methodologies or skills you will acquire that are not available at your home institution.
• Added Value of the Exchange
  • How clearly and concretely the exchange supports your ongoing or planned research project.
  • The added value of the fellowship for your home laboratory in terms of collaboration, capacity-building, or new methodological expertise.
• Suitability of the Candidate
  • How well your current methodological expertise and academic background match the proposed training and research.
  • The recommendation from your home supervisor, including their assessment of your potential and the expected impact of the fellowship.
• Expected Outcomes
  • Clearly defined and realistic scientific and methodological outcomes of the exchange.
  • The likelihood of achieving the proposed objectives within the planned duration of the stay.
• Feasibility and Need
  • Demonstration of a genuine need for the exchange, both scientifically and financially.

We strongly encourage applicants to address each of these aspects thoughtfully and explicitly in the relevant sections of the application form. This will assist reviewers in thoroughly assessing the strength and feasability of your proposal.

Visit funding web page
(https://ibro.org/grant/fens-ibro-perc-exchange-fellowships/)