International research fellowships
You are in the final year of your PhD project. This is an exciting and busy time. If you would like continue your career in science, we recommend to already start thinking about potential personal grants to fund your postdoctoral work. There are several options that you could consider, including the Kootstra Talent Fellowship from MUMC+, the NWO Talent Programme Veni, or postdoctoral fellowships for research abroad.
On this webpage we will inform you in more detail about fellowships for research abroad. International research experience can be a great stimulus for building your scientific career and becoming an independent researcher. Two large grant programs offer talented researchers the opportunity to gain experience at a top research institutions abroad: the NWO Rubicon (NL), and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (EU). See below for a short overview of these calls. Do not hesitate to contact me for detailed information or to discuss your eligibility. I am also more than happy to share our application guidebooks with tips and tricks, offer grant-writing training and provide feedback on draft applications.
NWO Rubicon
Rubicon is open for all scientific disciplines for a research project at a foreign research institute. For certain typically Dutch topics, there is also a limited opportunity to apply for a research period at an excellent Dutch research institute. Deadlines are three times per year.
Who can apply: Postgraduates who are currently engaged in doctoral research or who have been awarded a doctorate in the twelve months preceding the relevant deadline. Women especially are encouraged to apply. Each candidate may only submit an application for a Rubicon grant once.
What can be applied for: Applicants can apply for a period of up to two years at an excellent research institution outside the Netherlands. The minimum duration is twelve months. The eligible costs are your salary including fringe benefits, travel costs and a limited amount for research costs. Any overhead costs such as housing, computers, infrastructure, etc. are not eligible for funding. You can find the standard amounts in the document Rubicon terms and conditions.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (European Commission)
There are two types of Individual Fellowships (deadline in Sept of each year):
- European Fellowships (open to researchers moving within Europe) – between 12-24 month duration.
- Global Fellowships (fund positions outside Europe for researchers based in the EU) – between 24 and 36 months. After a period abroad (min 12 months), the researcher has to come back for one year to an organisation based in the EU.
Who can apply: Applicants need a doctoral degree or at least four years’ full-time research experience by the time of the call deadline.
What can be applied for: All research areas can be funded. The grant provides an allowance to cover living, travel and family costs. In addition, the EU contributes to the training, networking and research costs of the fellow, as well as to the management and indirect costs of the project. Please note that in practise, this often amounts to a salary equivalent to that of a postdoc at UM.
Alternatives to a postdoc abroad
While international research experience can be an advantage at a later stage in your academic career, I realise this is not feasible for all researchers. Of course, there are many other ways to build your career, including shorter work visits. You can use the searchable database of NUFFIC at www.wilweg.nl to find grants to fund a shorter period abroad. Please contact me if you would like to discuss of any other grant opportunities (including those mentioned above) in more detail.
For more information you can contact CAPHRI's Funding Advisor Vivian Braeken (v.braeken@maastrichtuniversity.nl)