Fellow Membership Programme

Overview
Application Procedure
University of Granada Joint Fellowship
FAQ

  • UNU-BIOLAC is accepting applications for our Fellowship Member Programme. Following our mission to build Biotechnology capacities within Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, we aim to prepare and qualify professionals through short-term research fellowships. All activities are co-organised with UNU-BIOLAC throughout the LAC countries and carried out in collaboration with an international network of highly qualified academics and researchers in the diverse fields of biotechnology.

    Applications are sought from young researchers who pursue the highest level of research excellence with a demonstrated passion for delivering social impact in biotechnology.

    Expectations

    Each UNU-BIOLAC fellowship member is expected to perform specialised research at a laboratory throughout the LAC region for no more than three months.

    All fellows must deliver a final technical report, including their main findings and fulfil all of the other requests to accomplish their membership. Among others, a written statement regarding their expectations to achieve during the visit, record a testimonial video about the experience, upload content on social media reflecting the experimental work they are carrying out through the research stay, and expand their collaborative and professional network.

    To perform their research fellowship, each funded fellow will receive a single stipend of USD 4000 for travel and living expenses. Hosting institutions could also apply for funds as bench fees for USD 500 per month of visit.

    Research fields

    This call is open to young professionals and graduate students at a university or a research institution. These must be engaged in active research or in pursuit of new research opportunities in high-throughput and deep sequencing of genomes, metagenomic analysis and whole-genome gene expression to discover new genes and biological functions.

    These fundamental technological approaches provide new insights into the four priority areas identified in the context of global climate change as challenging the sustainability of traditional cropping systems and the control of animal and human health by affecting the (re)emergence of diseases and their etiological agents and vectors.

    Therefore, for 2023 UNU-BIOLAC is seeking to empower young scientists to use Big Data as a knowledge-enabling strategy that traverses across the following priority areas:

    1. Biotechnological approaches and solutions for emerging and neglected human, animal and plant diseases
    2. Genome editing, omics technologies, and similar approaches for biotechnological research
    3. Drug discovery and vaccine development
    4. Sustainable biotechnological processes and cost-effective bioengineered products or technologies

    As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact human society globally, biotechnology researchers work on the clock to provide cutting-edge information that can be useful. Thus, as an organisation engaged with the development of Latin America and the Caribbean region, we decided to encourage research proposals to study the nature of SARS-CoV-2 as an emerging human disease.

    In these moments of uncertainty and challenges, UNU-BIOLAC wants to promote a contribution from the Latin American and the Caribbean countries to the resolution of the pandemic outbreak, fostering the collaboration among active researchers to understand this emerging biological threat.

    Impact

    UNU-BIOLAC fellow membership is committed to biotechnology for the social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Therefore, by being part of the membership program, selected fellows are expected to promote the impact of their research to a broad audience, engage in policy debate, and foster international and interdisciplinary biotechnological research.

  • All applicants should download the following form (The indicated for each case) Mandatory documentation. (The extra form for fellowships here).

    The rest of the mandatory documentation with the corresponding form should be sent to applications.biolac@unu.edu

    The email must have the following format:

    *Subject: Fellowship Member Application 2023: “Name of the applicant”

    Email content:

    • *Name of the applicant.
    • *Investigation Subject.
    • *Proposed dates for the Fellowship.

    Mandatory attachments:

    Besides, prepare and attach the following documents:

    • Personal Resumé.
    • Mentor and Supervisor Resumés.
    • Acceptance letter.

    Please note that an application MUST be oriented towards the UNU-BIOLAC priority areas. Any application not meeting this requirement will need an explanation letter. Relevant subject matters for the region will have special considerations.

    Disclaimer

    UNU-BIOLAC is an equal opportunity institution. No applicant for our academic or research activities shall be discriminated against in any term or condition because of gender, race, colour, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, or sexual orientation.

  • The University of Granada (UGr) and the United Nations University Biotechnology Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNU–BIOLAC) jointly offer a special fellowship for research and training internships for a period not exceeding three (3) months at UGr. A maximum of three students will be considered for this special fellowship.

    UNU–BIOLAC will pay in full for the fellow’s air tickets and laboratory fees (500 USD per month). UNU–BIOLAC and UGr will share coverage of the fellow’s living expenses (estimated at 650 Euros per month).

    Eligibility

    • Applicants should have a PhD degree (preferable, but not mandatory)
    • Nationals from any country in Latin America and the Caribbean can apply
    • Candidates must be currently involved in an active research project
    • Applicants must be afilliated with a university or research institution
    • Research fellowships should be framed by any of the UNU-BIOLAC priority areas of interest.
    • Applicants who have previously been granted a fellowship by UNU-BIOLAC will not be eligible until three (3) years from the completion of their previous fellowship

    Conditions

    • Fellows will develop a short-term (up to three months) research project in collaboration with an accredited researcher from the University of Granada
    • Supporting funds will be granted for up to three months
    • Eligibility will consider research projects that are expected to benefit the region the most, and also that fit within the research interest of the UGr Professor

    Grants

    • Round-trip air ticket (to and from Granada from home country)
    • Lodging at the University of Granada, depending on availability in student residences
    • Student access cards to cafeterias and sports facilities
    • A monthly allowance of USD 500 for bench fee to cover laboratory expenses
    • Medical insurance provided under UNU fellowship conditions for the length of the research stay

    Application Procedure

    • The application period will be open annually, through a public call for proposals, during the first semester of the year prior to the proposed fellowship
    • The University of Granada will offer, at the beginning of each year, a portfolio of research areas based on the expertise and needs of its accredited professors
    • Fellow candidates will agree, with mutual consent of the host professor, on a short-term research project
    • The applicant will complete the fellowship proposal form and have it revised by the host professor, as well as receive the endorsement of the liaison professor at the University of Granada. Other mandatory UNU documents for the fellowship must accompany the application form (medical exam, letter of recommendation from current supervisor, letter of pre-acceptance from possible UGr supervisor) that should be compiled in a single submission folder.
    • The application folder, containing all required documentation, should be sent to UNU-BIOLAC according to the process indicated on the respective call for proposals
    • The final decision will be made by the UNU-BIOLAC evaluation committee by the end of October
    • Once the decision has been made, favored candidates will be notified via email

    All applicants should download and complete the following forms:

    And prepare the following documents:

    • Personal resume
    • Mentor and supervisor resume
    • Acceptance letter

    All  mandatory documentation, with completed application forms, should be sent to: applications.unu.biolac@gmail.com

    The email must have the following format:

    Email Subject:

    • Application Fellowship Granada (Year of application)​:​ ​Name of the applicant

    Email Body:

    • Name of the applicant
    • Investigation subject
    • Proposed dates
    • Attached mandatory documentation

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    • Who is eligible for a fellowship?
      Only citizens from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are eligible for UNU-BIOLAC fellowships. These are short-term fellowships (no more than three months) for research and training at institutes located in the LAC region. Fellowships do not cover long-term study such as master’s degrees or PhD programmes.
    • Where can fellowships and/or academic activities take place?
      The activities funded by UNU-BIOLAC can only take place at institutions located in countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
    • Is it possible to apply for a grant from UNU-BIOLAC to attend a course?
      No. Short-term fellowship grants offered by UNU-BIOLAC are for conducting research for a maximum period of three months in a country different from that of the researcher. Fellowships do not include participation in scientific courses or meetings, even those sponsored by UNU-BIOLAC.
    • When is the fellowship application period?
      The application period for UNU-BIOLAC training fellowships is usually from May to October each year.
    • What does the UNU-BIOLAC fellowship cover?
      UNU-BIOLAC’s funds are a unique amount of USD 3,000 to be spent by the fellow for all research activity needs: air ticket, lodging, food, and transportation, among others. The fellow will also be provided with health insurance for the duration of the fellowship.
    • When will I receive my fellowship funding?
      The funds will be available on the first day of the fellowship in the host country through UNDP’s offices. Taking this into consideration, it is important that the fellow can cover any expenses before the proposed fellowship dates.
    • What are counterpart funds and how much is needed?
      Counterpart funds come from another institution that is financially supporting your research, so that you can afford other expenses that may arise during your stay. It is important to mention that counterpart funds can be to cover air tickets, as UNU-BIOLAC’s funds will not be received before the research takes place. UNU-BIOLAC will not be responsible if the funds provided are not sufficient for the living expenses during the fellowship. For this reason, it is required that fellows certify the availability of counterpart funds.
    • What is a bench fee and how can I apply for it?
      This is part of the funds that the fellow is awarded for the research and is to be received by the host institution laboratory. An amount of USD 500 per month can be used for laboratory expenses and other related needs during the research. The money is to be delivered after each month ends. To apply for bench fee funding, complete the Bench Fee Request Form for each month (up to three times).
    • What is a vendor form?
      This is a UN form used to submit banking information to allow for transfer of the fellowship funding. Fellow payment will be made only through UNDP’s offices at the host country once the fellowship starts. This is why the fellow should only complete the first page and section one (1). For a bench fee request, however, the fellow must complete the entire form and provide the banking information of the host institution.
    • Should I justify my expenses?
      The awarded amount is one payment of USD 3,000 that can be used for any fellow expenses: air ticket, land transportation, food, lodging, etc. Fellows are not required to report theses expenses.
    • Can I receive payment of funds through a personal account?
      No. UNU regulations do not allow payments to personal accounts for fellowships; they must be transferred through a host institutions or a UNDP office.
    • When will I have access to the funds?
      The funds will be available upon your arrival at the host country’s UNDP office.
    • What documents will I need to retrieve my funds?
      For most UNDP offices you will be required to present your passport or any photo ID. If further actions or support are necessary, we will let you know.
    • When can I do my research fellowship?
      Calls for fellowship proposals occur once per year. All proposals should stipulate a maximum three-month stay scheduled for the following year.
    • What special documentation do I need if my fellowship is in Brazil?
      If your fellowship will be conducted in Brazil, you will need to go to your country’s Brazil embassy to obtain required document(s) related to Cadastro de Pessoa Física and/or Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica (CPF/CNPJ).
    • When can I do my research fellowship?
      Calls for fellowship proposals occur once per year. All proposals should stipulate a maximum 3-month stay scheduled for the following year.
    • When should I confirm my fellowship dates?
      You must send a letter signed by your host supervisor confirming your dates of stay at least two months prior to your fellowship.
    • If I already opted for a fellowship and it was granted, can I apply for another fellowship?
      Yes. But you must wait three (3) years to apply for another fellowship.

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