Applications are now open for IFS grants

Brussels, 18 July 2002

The Swedish-based International Foundation for Science (IFS) has issued a call for research grant applications from young scientists in developing countries.

Access to research funds, scientific literature, and help with purchasing research equipment have been cited in studies as a major hurdle for scientists in developing countries. Since 1972, IFS has supported some 2 700 young scientists from Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Applications are now being accepted from young researchers in the biological, chemical or physical processes, as well as socio-economic studies covering the conservation, production and renewable use of the 'biological resource base'.

Successful applicants receive support in their early careers to pursue high-quality research and to set them up as recognised national and international scientists. In addition to the $US12 000 (€12 185) awarded to the selected scientists – for a period of one to three years – travel grants and other assistance are also available. The IFS' annual budget of around US$5 million (€5.08 million) comes from government and non-government sources, as well as national and international organisations. Of the IFS' 118 member organisations in 81 countries, three-quarters are located in developing countries.

Eligibility criteria
To qualify for IFS Research Grants, applicants must:

• be a scientist and a citizen of a developing country;
• have at least a MSc or equivalent degree;
• be under 40 years old (30 for Chinese applicants);
• be working at a university or research institution in a developing country; and
• do research in a developing country and in one of the IFS Research Areas.

The IFS advise that there is considerable competition for the available grants. The applications are judged by an international panel of scientific advisers on the basis of the applicant's qualifications, the scientific quality and feasibility of the proposal, and the relevance of the planned research results.

Contact: info@ifs.se
More information on this subject: http://www.ifs.se/

DG Research
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/research/ index_en.html