The FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme supports early-career researchers in neuroscience by funding goal-directed laboratory visits at established European laboratories. Directed at master’s students, PhD students, and early postdoctoral fellows located in Europe, the programme aims to foster and broaden methodological training through intra-European mobility.

Overview

FENS and the IBRO Pan-Europe Regional Committee (IBRO-PERC) jointly offer the FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme. The fellowship is designed to advance neuroscience research and training in Europe by enabling early-career researchers to gain new skills through short-term exchanges between laboratories in different European countries.

Funding and Benefits

• Maximum Grant Amount: EUR 4,000
• Funds may be used for travel and local expenses during the laboratory exchange.
• Funds are transferred in a 60:40 format: 60% of the grant is awarded at least two weeks before the fellowship begins, and the remaining 40% is awarded upon completion of the exchange and submission of the associated grant report.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be Master’s or PhD neuroscience students, or early postdoctoral fellows (maximum five years from the start of the postdoc), currently studying or working in Europe.
• Applicants must be members of a FENS society, individual FENS members, or members of an IBRO member organisation in the Pan-Europe region.
• A mandatory letter of acceptance from the host laboratory is required.
• A letter of reference from the group leader of the home laboratory is required.

Fellowship Specifications

• The proposed stay must be a minimum of four weeks.
• Both the home and host laboratories must be located within Europe.
• The fellowship must involve a change of country: the host laboratory must be in a different country than the home laboratory.
• The fellowship must be concluded within a maximum of one year from the date the grant is awarded.
• The report associated with the completed fellowship must be submitted no later than three months after the conclusion of the laboratory stay.
• Candidates may submit only one application, for one fellowship, at one host laboratory during each round of applications.

Application Process and Deadline

Applications are accepted biannually. The application deadlines are 15 April and 15 October (midnight, Brussels time). The next call opens in December 2023. The programme is currently closed.

Contact Information

For any queries regarding the FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships, contact chet@fens.org.