The TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme provides postdoctoral researchers from sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, with the opportunity to make a ‘Cooperation Visit’ to an institute in Germany of no more than 3 months.
Under this programme, researchers are assisted in making a ‘Cooperation Visit’ to an institute in Germany. Such visits will have a duration of no more than three (3) months and must be undertaken within 12 months of the award.
The aim of the visit is to discuss research collaboration with German scientists with the ultimate goal of developing longer-term collaboration, perhaps through other Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, or German Research Foundation) programmes. TWAS will cover visa, health insurance and travel expenses, while DFG will provide subsistence costs for the stay in Germany. The administration and financial operation of TWAS is undertaken by UNESCO in accordance with an agreement signed by the two organizations.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a PhD and must have obtained it not earlier than 2010;
- Applicants must be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country, including South Africa, and hold a research position in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Applicants already on site in Germany are not eligible.
- Successful applicants can only reapply once for another cooperation visit.
- Women scientists are especially encouraged to apply.
- All fields of Natural and Social Sciences will be considered.
Procedure
Applicants must complete the application form (see link at the bottom of the).
Applicants also need to submit:
- CV, maximum two pages and a list of 6 publications.
- a recent invitation letter from a German host – on the host institution’s letterhead paper – which should contain the proposed time of the visit (up to 3 months) and should refer to the proposed cooperation. It should be made evident that the applicant and the proposed host have been in contact regarding the scientific work to be done during the visit and that the conditions for conducting the work have been agreed in terms of the timing of the visit and the facilities available. Eligible institutions in Germany are listed at:www.dfg.de/en/dfg_profile/statutory_bodies/comittee/index.jsp?id=21787243. A list of available institutions searchable by scientific field and geographic location, etc., is available here: http://research-explorer.dfg.de/research_explorer.en.html.
- two reference letters from senior scientists familiar with your work. Referees must send signed letters as attachments via e-mail directly to TWAS. The subject line should contain the text ‘TWAS-DFG programme’ and the candidate’s surname. Alternatively, letters should be sent in sealed envelopes by post.
- A copy of your PhD certificate plus evidence of proficiency in either English or German.
Completed applications, together with the supporting documentation, should be sent either:
- by email to exchanges@twas.org
- by fax to +39 040 224 559 or
- as hard copies to TWAS secretariat, ICTP Campus, Strada Costiera 11, 34151 Trieste, Italy
Deadline: 31 March each year. Successful applicants will be informed three months after the deadline.
