Tag Archives: Global Fellowship

SIMONS FOUNDATION PIVOT FELLOWSHIP

Application Deadline: May 15, 2025, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), 

LOCATION: USA

In this spirit, they invite applications for the Pivot Fellowship program that will support researchers with a strong track record of success and achievement in their current field and a deep interest, curiosity, and drive to make contributions to a new discipline. The fellowship will enable today’s brightest minds to apply their talents and expertise to a new field and will consist of one training year where the fellow will be embedded in a lab of a mentor to learn the new discipline and its culture.

ELIGIBILITY:

Fellows and mentors must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree in the natural sciences (astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, neuroscience and physics), engineering, mathematics, data science or computer science — and all subdisciplines therein — and be faculty at an academic institution or hold an equivalent position. Fellows must demonstrate that the fellowship will take place in a new discipline, distinct from their current field of study, within astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, neuroscience, physics, or mathematics — and all subdisciplines therein. In order to receive the fellowship, fellows must be approved by their institution for a full year of leave. Fellows must not hold any other fellowship that will provide them with salary support during the training year of the Pivot Fellowship.

Applicants must apply through Simons Award Manager (SAM), sam.simonsfoundation.org. Informational videos on submitting applications in SAM can be found here.

Fellows and mentors will each submit a unique application in SAM independently of each other. After logging into your SAM account, click the ‘Funding Opportunities’ icon to access the Pivot Fellowship calls.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants for funding without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.

BENEFIT:

A Pivot Fellowship provides one year of salary support of the fellow’s academic-year salary, whether normally paid over nine or 12 months, and a $10,000 research, travel and professional development allowance during the fellowship training year. Mentors will receive a $50,000 research fund during the fellowship year. The mentor’s research funds may be used for salary support for the mentor and lab personnel, small and large equipment (including major research instrumentation), supplies, travel, publication, tuition and other research expenses. Indirect costs are limited to 20 percent of the modified total direct costs (see grant policies). Funding for fellowships must be activated within 18 months of award notification. Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations The Simons Foundation, Inc. reserves the right to refer an application to The Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI) for consideration and funding, in which case SFI’s grant policies would apply.

At the end of the fellowship year, fellows may be eligible to apply for a research award in their new field for up to $1.5 million, plus indirect costs, over five (5) years.

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UNITED NATIONS YOUTH FOR BIOSECURITY FELLOWSHIP

Application Deadline: Monday 7 April 2025

LOCATION: Switzerland

The global norm against biological weapons cannot be maintained without the inclusion of youth voices in the multilateral discussions taking place in the framework of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Youth perspectives are key to create innovative solutions and generate long-term engagement. There are benefits to including the perspectives of young people from developing countries, where over 90% of the world’s youth reside. 

Organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva, in partnership with key international actors that empower youth in science diplomacy and global biosecurity, the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship provides a unique learning and networking experience in the framework of the Biological Weapons Convention. 

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible to apply, prospective fellows must:

Be under 35 years old at the time of applying. 

Be citizens of a BWC State Party listed as least developed country, low- or lower/upper middle-income country (Check if your country is in the Development Assistance Committee List of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Have an advanced degree in the life sciences or a related discipline from a recognized university or institution. [Candidates with backgrounds in other fields such as social sciences can be exceptionally considered if they have a demonstrated interest in biosecurity, health security and/or disarmament and non-proliferation]

Have a strong command of written and spoken English

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The selection process will be guided by the need to ensure the highest quality of participants while maintaining a gender and regional balance.

All eligible nationalities (low- or middle-income BWC State Party) are welcome to apply. 

The Fellowship is structured in two parts:

An online interactive training programme featuring experts’ presentations, interactive discussions, and networking/mentoring sessions. Seven virtual sessions will introduce participants to the Biological Weapons Convention, science diplomacy, science and technology review in the life science, dual use research of concern, among others. Fellows will need a computer and a good Wi-Fi connection.

A field visit to Geneva during the week of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention including attendance to the BWC official meetings, leadership skills training, expert dialogues, private institutional visits, meetings with diplomats and the organization of public events to stimulate engagement and reflection on global biosecurity and youth engagement.

BENEFIT:

The Fellows’ travel and stay in Geneva will be funded for the duration of the visit in line with UN rules and regulations.

Invitation letters to accompany visa requests to travel to Switzerland will be issued by UNODA to participants upon request.

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