Applicants of any nationality must be under 40 years old on the deadline for the submission of proposals.

They must have a degree in medicine, biology, pharmacy, biotechnology or bioengineering. Open to PhD students, PhD, Post-Doc and residents. Permanent positions such as Professors cannot apply.

For the entire duration of the grant, applicants must be active in the Host Institution, i.e. a research organization (such as universities, hospitals or other research centres), irrespective of its legal status (organized under public or private law), whose primary goal is to independently conduct non-economic biomedical research and to disseminate its results.

Applicants are invited to submit their proposals no later than the 31^st of January on the dedicated platform (http://ibsafoundation.poliresearch.com/) and shall provide the following additional documents as separate files:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. List of best peer-reviewed scientific publications (min 1 - max 3)
3. Cover letter of a short self-presentation

Applications and supporting documentation are only accepted via the online application system.

Proposals are evaluated by the Scientific Board of IBSA Foundation through a peer review process. The Board will make its final decision after having considered the recommendations of the Board. Award decisions are final.

Applicants are promptly informed as soon as a decision is reached, normally within two months from the deadline. The award is assigned only after presentation of the acceptance letter by the Host Institution, which should be sent to the IBSA Foundation within one week of the communication.

The Awards Ceremony will be held in during spring 2025. The exact date, venue and modality will be confirmed when the results are announced.

Applications are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Quality of the project to be developed in the host laboratory (Feasibility - Originality - Scientific value - Relevance to the selected therapeutic area)
• CV of the candidate with particular emphasis on the research experience
• Appropriateness of the host laboratory for the proposed research

The projects of applicants, who wish to enhance their scientific profile by working at a research institution different from the laboratory of origin receive a note of merit by the Scientific Board.

The budget (before taxes and duties) includes funding for salary and mobility costs, and is intended to cover the cost of living for 12 months. The fellowship can be added to other awards, to increase the salary.

Bench fees, overheads, funds for consumables or any other financial benefits for the host supervisor/the receiving institute are not covered.

Projects must start by 2025 and fellowship holders cannot move the beginning of the fellowship to the following year.

The salary rate depends on the country being visited and may be subject to taxation. The IBSA Foundation cannot advise on respective national tax regulations, and we recommend fellowship winners to contact the competent authorities in the host country.

The grant will be paid in two instalments directly on the bank account (IBAN) indicated by the candidate. Written confirmation of the start date by the host supervisor is mandatory. A first instalment of 50% will be paid before the start of the project and the second instalment of 50% by the end of the year 2025.