The International AIDS Society (IAS), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (ANRS) are pleased to invite researchers to apply for their joint HIV and Drug Use Research Fellowship. The fellowship programme is aimed at contributing to advances in scientific understanding of drug use and HIV while fostering multinational research.
This fellowship programme consists of two types of awards: US$75,000 to be awarded to a junior scientist for 18 months of post-doctoral training; and US$75,000 to be awarded to a well-established HIV or drug use researcher for eight months of professional development training. Both take place at leading institutes excelling in research in the HIV-related drug use field.
Online applications for the 2014 round will be accepted until 10 February 2014 (midnight CET). Mentors have to submit their statement of support through the online system by 18 February 2014 (midnight CET). For more information about the fellowship programme, and to apply for the fellowship, please go to the HIV and Drug Use Research Fellowship website at www.iasociety.org/fellowship.aspx.
The IAS Research Promotion Department is hosting two webinars to provide more information about the upcoming HIV and Drug Use Research Fellowship application round. The webinars will be held on Tuesday, 3 December, at 16:00 GMT and Wednesday, 4 December, at 7:00 GMT. If you are interested in learning more about the fellowship, please visit www.iasociety.org/fellowship.aspx.
How to apply:
Eligibility
Post-doctoral training award: Those eligible are junior investigators with a doctoral degree (PhD) obtained no more than six years before the time of application and medical doctors with a MD or equivalent (MBBS) obtained no more than eight years before the time of application. Applicants must hold a doctorate degree or equivalent before the start of the fellowship, but not necessarily when applying.
Professional development training award: The fellowship is geared towards well-established HIV or drug use scientists who are not currently active in the field of HIV-related drug use research, with a minimum of seven years of experience beyond post-doctoral level, and with a documented scientific record that includes publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
Applications are encouraged from any country. However, as there are numerous national opportunities for research training within the US, applications from US citizens and permanent residents of the US will not be accepted.
All applicants must choose a mentor in an institution different from their current institution.
Applicants must be able to start their fellowships before 1 June 2015.
Applications must be completed in English.
Application
Applications for the 2014 programme must be submitted by the prospective fellow through the online application form that will be available on the IAS website from 8 December 2013 until 10 February 2014 (midnight CET). Applicants will be asked to detail their research goals, provide an abstract of their proposed project, and write a research plan for the duration of their fellowship. The research project must be related to HIV and drug use, e.g., narcotics or alcohol.
All fellows are required to choose a mentor in an institution different from their current institution, who holds an established post for the duration of the fellowship and who has a track record in training and research in the field of HIV and drug use research, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals. In order to facilitate the application process and to encourage international candidates, the IAS, NIDA and ANRS are providing a list of potential mentors. The list should serve as orientation, and applicants can choose and approach an available mentor in their field to discuss the possibility of a mentorship for a specific research project. Please note that applicants do not have to choose a mentor listed in the database.
After the applicant submits his/her application, the mentor must then complete his/her part of the application by 18 February 2014 (midnight CET), specifying the support that he/she will provide to the applicant, and assessing the impact that the fellowship will have on the applicant’s future career and capacity building in the applicant’s home country.
Selection
Applications are screened by the IAS to ensure that they are complete and eligible. All eligible applications will be independently assessed by three external experts. Selection of fellows is based on grades, reviewers’ comments, and the maximum impact each fellowship would bring to the treatment and/or prevention of HIV and drug use, as well as to collective capacity building, in the recipient’s home country.
The outcome of the selection will be made public by May 2014. Fellows will be immediately notified by email. The fellowships must be started any time between 1 August 2014 and 1 June 2015.
Conditions
Duration: Fellowships must be served continuously for the duration of the award. Fellows must start their fellowship before 1 June 2015.
Terms: The award of US$75,000 will be made available to the host institution, which will provide the stipend to the fellow in accordance with its usual regulatory procedures. The stipend may cover only the cost of living and travel expenses during the fellowship period. The stipend may not be supplemented with similar funds intended to cover personal expenses from another fellowship, regardless of the source. The fellow may receive additional support to cover research expenses from other sources, such as from the host institution or the fellow’s home institution.
Work permit: The mentor and the host institution are responsible for supporting the fellow in obtaining the necessary visa and work permit, insurance and ethical approval to conduct his/her research in accordance with national requirements and the host institution’s regulatory procedures.
Reporting: Fellows and mentors must provide intermediary progress reports to the IAS during the fellowship period, based on the template they will receive, as well as a final fellowship report, including an expenses report.
Any questions may be directed to researchpromotion@iasociety.org. Find further information and webinars at www.iasociety.org/fellowship.aspx.
