UNU-BIOLAC is accepting applications for the Fellowship Programme 2024.
Following the mission to build Biotechnology capacities within Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, UNU-BIOLAC aims to help prepare and qualify professionals through short-term research fellowships. All activities are co-organised with UNU-BIOLAC throughout the LAC countries and carried out in collaboration with an international network of highly qualified academics and researchers in the diverse fields of biotechnology.
Applications are sought from LAC researchers who pursue the highest level of research excellence with a demonstrated passion for delivering social impact in biotechnology. All candidates must have been accepted by a LAC research or educational institution before proceeding with the application.
Expectations
Each UNU-BIOLAC fellow is expected to perform specialised research at a laboratory in the LAC region for no more than three months.
All fellows must deliver a final technical report that includes their main findings and fulfil all other initial requests to attain the completion of their fellowships. Among others, 1) to present a written statement of achieved objectives, 2) to record a testimonial video about the experience, and 3) to upload content on social media reflecting the experimental work carried out through the research stay and the expansion of their collaborative and professional network.
What is offered
To perform their research fellowship, each funded fellow will receive a single stipend of USD 4000 for travel and living expenses. Hosting institutions could also apply for funds through bench fees of USD 500 per visit month.
Research fields
This call is open to LAC professionals and students whose research focus is Biotechnology. These must be engaged in active research or pursuit of new research opportunities in, but not limited to, high-throughput and deep sequencing of genomes, metagenomic analysis and the discovery, characterisation and/or expression of new genes and biological functions in homologous or heterologous systems.
For 2024, UNU-BIOLAC is encouraging scientists to delve into
1) the use of Biotechnology, including Bioinformatics and Big data, as a means to solve problems of scientific nature or
2) the generation of biotechnological solutions/products derived from basic or applied research in the following priority areas:
- Emerging (e.g., COVID and others) and neglected human, animal and plant diseases.
- Genome editing, omics technologies, and similar approaches (e.g., synthetic biology) for biotechnological research.
- Drug discovery and vaccine development.
- Sustainable biotechnological processes and cost-effective bioengineered products or technologies.
Deadline: 9 June 2023