The Open Door Fellowship Program – Applications are Open

Ready to elevate your scientific journey?

The Open Doors Fellowship Program (ODFP) coordinated by IPBO (International Plant Biotechnology Outreach) in collaboration with VLIR-UOS and UGent, is designed exclusively for post-doctoral and mid-career women researchers employed within African (inter)national research centers and universities. The ODFP is committed to addressing the critical need to prevent female talent leakage from the scientific pipeline.

What sets the program apart is its distinctive conceptualization and implementation, meticulously crafted to cater to the unique training needs of its participants:

1. Two application modalities: Under Modality A, candidates can establish new partnerships with the Flemish research groups selected by the program. Modality B is thought to consolidate ongoing collaborations: the candidates write their project with a Flemish laboratory they previously worked with.

• Two-Phase Curriculum with a Flemish Research Stage: The program unfolds in two phases, with Phase 1 involving a 1-4 month fully-funded research stage in Belgium. This stage is pivotal, allowing fellows to broaden their research horizons, access advanced equipment, and acquire new techniques crucial for expediting their research. ODFP actively promotes enduring collaborations between Belgian and African laboratories to facilitate mutual learning.

• Flexible Training Curriculum: In Phase 2, upon returning to their home institutions, fellows can customize their 17-month training curriculum, accessing courses on soft and hard skills, along with coaching modules such as Negotiation Skills, Project Management, and Self-Leadership.

• Financial Incentives for Scientific Visibility: ODFP understands the significance of scientific and public visibility for career advancement. The Program offers financial incentives to attend congresses, ensuring open-access publication fees are covered. This commitment ensures that the valuable research outputs of our fellows gain visibility within the scientific community.

Applications are open! Join the Open Doors Fellowship Program and embark on a transformative journey that enhances your scientific expertise and equips you with the skills and visibility needed to navigate your career confidently.

More information at: https://ipbo.vib-ugent.be/en/projects/open-doors-fellowship-program-0

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door!

Open Doors Fellowship Program