The ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Exchange Program is open to international students worldwide who are interested in conducting postdoctoral research in Neuroscience and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The program’s goal is to enhance the exchange of knowledge and contribute to building a pool of well-trained research scientists dedicated to MS-related issues. Several fellowships are expected to be awarded each year.
The ECTRIMS Research Fellowship offers a research-oriented experience. Applicants must propose a clear and relevant research project—whether basic, clinical, or applied—that they plan to carry out during the fellowship period. The research will be done in collaboration with a mentor at the host institution.
Fellowships are open to those pursuing studies in any MS-related field, including basic, clinical, or applied research, in any suitable specialty area.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Postdoctoral
- Institution(s): ECTRIMS
- Study in: Europe
- Opportunity Focus Areas:
- Neuroscience
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Program Period:
- Fellowships available for one or two years.
- Fellowships of less than one year will be considered only under special circumstances, which must be explained during the application process.
- Deadline: December 1, 2024
Scholarship Coverage
The ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship provides the following benefits to the recipient:
- Annual stipend: €55,000 for all fellows.
- Round-trip travel: ECTRIMS will cover economy round-trip transportation from the successful candidate’s home location to the training site. Travel expenses for family members are not covered.
- Payment: The fellowship payment will be made to the host institution, which will be considered the employer of the fellow. The stipend will be paid by the host institution according to their payment policies and schedules.
- Relocation expenses: Travel expenses for relocation to the training site can be reimbursed directly to the fellow upon submission of receipts to ECTRIMS.
- Supplementing costs: If the total stipend plus benefits exceeds the ECTRIMS award, the host institution/mentor is responsible for supplementing the ECTRIMS award to cover the entire required costs.
- Social benefits: If there are remaining funds from the award, they can be used to support institutional social benefits (health care, pension, etc.) required by the institution.
- Host institution support: The host institution is expected to support the fellow’s research during the fellowship, including any additional research-related costs.
- No additional support: No extra support will be provided for travel, books, journal subscriptions, or other similar expenses.
- Attendance at ECTRIMS Congress: Fellows are expected to attend the annual ECTRIMS Congresses during their fellowship term and present their funded research. ECTRIMS will separately support travel and accommodation for congress participation.
Eligibility Criteria for ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
To be eligible for the ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Required Languages: As per the requirements of the host institution.
- Eligible Countries: Applicants from all countries are eligible.
- Degree Requirements: Candidates must have received their advanced degree(s) prior to starting the fellowship.
- Postdoctoral Experience: At the time of application, applicants should have no more than one year of prior postdoctoral training at the same host institution/mentor. More senior candidates may have no more than 5 years of total postdoctoral experience beyond their final degree (PhD, MD, ScD, or equivalent).
- Eligible Degrees: Scientists and physicians holding or candidates for an MD, PhD, ScD, or equivalent professional degree are eligible.
- Age Limit: Successful applicants are generally under 40 years old at the time of application. Exceptions may be made in special circumstances.
- Language Proficiency: Candidates and their mentors must confirm that there are no language barriers that would interfere with the training experience.
- Host Location: Postdoctoral research training must be conducted in a European laboratory or clinic.
- Post-Fellowship Career Plans: It is desirable, but not required, for the fellow to return to their home institution after the fellowship period. Applicants must provide details of their post-fellowship career plans as part of the application process.
How to Apply for ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship?
Please follow below steps to apply for ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Exchange Program:
(1) Press the “Apply Now” and Create an account.
(2) Fill the application form.
(3) The fellowship application should include the following documents:
- An abbreviated curriculum vitae and bibliography of the applicant, not to exceed 5 pages. You must use the form “biographical sketch” provided by ECTRIMS, available in the online fellowship application system.
- A completed on-line application, available from the ECTRIMS web site (www.ectrims.eu).
- Applicant’s career plans (not to exceed one page).
- A research project abstract summary, to be no longer than 250 words.
- A research project description, to be no longer than 6 pages, including figures, tables and references.
- Applicant’s proof (e.g. certificate) of local language knowledge.
(4) The following additional items must be submitted electronically to fellowship@ectrims.eu by 1 December. These should be submitted as confidential documents and should NOT be submitted with the materials requested in Second Step. Please be sure to ask referees to clearly identify the NAME of the applicant on all pages of his/her letters.
- From the training institution:
1) Letter of support from the department chair (or other relevant institutional official) at the proposed host institution accepting the proposed fellow, should a fellowship be awarded.
2) Certification from the training institution accepting the terms of the ECTRIMS fellowship and payments. The necessary form is available from the online application system; the applicant should forward this form to the institution for completion and return to ECTRIMS. - From the proposed mentor: Letter of endorsement of the proposed mentor, with special reference to interactions he/she has had with the proposed fellow and to the proposed research plan. An abbreviated current curriculum vitae and bibliography for the proposed mentor, not to exceed 5 pages, should be included. The form “biographical sketch” provided in the online fellowship application system should be used. The applicant should send this form to the mentor.
- From other referees: At least three letters of reference from professionals acquainted with the proposed fellow, from his/her home institution or elsewhere, that addresses the fellow’s qualities and likelihood for success in a research and/or clinical career. One of these letters should be submitted from the degree mentor for the proposed fellow. If applicable, a letter from the home institution indicating that the fellow will be welcomed back to the institution and the nature of the position that will be available, once the fellowship period has been concluded.
To know more about ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, please visit the official website: