Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship Programme. The OWSD Early Career Fellowship is a prestigious grant of up to USD 50,000 awarded to women who have completed their PhDs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and are employed at an academic or scientific research institution in one of the Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs) listed. Recipients of the OWSD Early Career Fellowship are empowered to create environments within their institutions conducive to maintaining an international standard of research and attracting scholars from around the globe for collaboration. This fellowship program supports early career women scientists in leading significant research projects in countries identified as lacking in scientific and technological resources. Fellows will conduct their research projects in one of the eligible countries and must demonstrate significant residency in that country (at least 5 years in total). Additionally, applicants must secure employment at the institution where they plan to conduct the research.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Residence in Eligible Countries:
- Applicants must have resided in one of the listed Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs) for a minimum of 5 years. The five years do not have to be consecutive.
- Applicants can be citizens of any country, provided they meet the residency requirement mentioned above.
- Employment Eligibility:
- At the time of application, applicants must demonstrate employment at the university or research institute where the research project will be undertaken. If employment has not yet commenced, proof of employment offer and acceptance confirmation are required.
- The institution hosting the research project must be located in one of the listed STLCs.
- Applicants must provide evidence of receiving a salary from their university or research institute for the duration of the two-year fellowship.
- Eligible STEM Fields:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Astronomy, Space, and Earth Sciences
- Biological Systems and Organisms
- Chemical Sciences
- Computing and Information Technology
- Engineering Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Medical and Health Sciences
- Neurosciences
- Physics
- Structural, Cell, and Molecular Biology Research project proposals from non-STEM fields (such as social science, education, etc.) are ineligible and will not be considered.
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- Eligible Academic Qualification:
- Possession of a PhD in one of the aforementioned study fields.
- The PhD must have been awarded no more than 10 years prior to the application.
Fellowship Support:
The OWSD Early Career Fellowship spans two years and offers funding of up to USD 50,000. It’s important to note that the fellowship does not cover the fellow’s salary, which must be ensured by the fellow’s institution. Additionally, the fellow’s institution must waive any overhead or indirect costs associated with the research project. However, applicants can include direct costs for institutional support that directly benefit the research project in their budget breakdown (e.g., lab technician’s time, maintenance and utilities costs, administrative officer’s time, etc.).
The fellowship entails:
- An initial advance payment of 33% of the total grant value
- Reimbursement of expenses made with funds advanced by the Administering Institute
- Support for direct procurement conducted by the OWSD Secretariat on behalf of fellows (only for purchases exceeding USD 4,500).
Application Procedure: Applicants must provide:
- Passport:
- A scanned copy of the passport page displaying personal details (photo, document number, etc.).
- A passport-size portrait photo.
- Proof of Residence:
- Official documentation demonstrating residency for at least 5 years in one of the eligible STLCs. Acceptable documents include a certificate of residency, a statement from the local police office or municipality, a population registry office, a rental agreement, utility bills, and employment contracts, among others.
- Documents in the applicant’s local language must be accompanied by an informal English translation; documents lacking an English translation will not be considered.
- PhD Certificate:
- A scanned copy of the PhD certificate or evidence of a PhD conferred by the university.
- Proof of employment:
- A letter from the employer (such as the dean, vice dean, or equivalent head of the applicant’s institution) on official letterhead confirming the applicant’s position at the institution and guaranteeing a salary for at least two years from the year of application. Click here for a sample.
- If employment has not commenced, proof of employment offer and acceptance confirmation will be required.
- Curriculum Vitae:
- An updated CV.
- Publications:
- A comprehensive list of publications.
- Reference Letters:
- Two (2) reference letters, with at least one from a senior scientist familiar with the applicant’s recent research. The letters should contain the referee’s contact information for potential follow-up by the Selection Committee.
- Supporting Statement of Head of Applicant’s Institution:
- The supporting statement completed and signed by the head of the applicant’s institution (dean, vice-dean, or equivalent). The supporting statement template can be downloaded from the provided link.
- Budget File:
- Applicants must upload a standardized Excel budget file containing all items and related costs necessary for undertaking the research project.
The document will be accessible for downloading via the online application platform..
- Applicants must upload a standardized Excel budget file containing all items and related costs necessary for undertaking the research project.
- Additional Documentation:
- Applicants may include additional documents providing evidence of skills, qualities, or actions described in the research project (e.g., certificates of awards, memberships, etc.).
For More Information,
Application Deadline: March 14, 2024 (at 23:59 Rome time).
