Obtain a grant as part of the pilot project between WBI and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

As part of the Excellence Scholarships programme, Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI) is setting up a PILOT SCHEME with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in order to support 2 post-doctoral researchers with a doctorate from a higher education institution organised or subsidised by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Graduates from a foreign university are also eligible, provided that they are currently working within a university in the WBF.

A World Health Organization (WHO) Agency, the IARC aims to promote international collaboration in cancer research for cancer prevention. 

Our support

What is the support?

Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI) supports:

• Researchers with a doctorate from a higher education institution organised or subsidised by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation wishing to undertake a postdoctoral programme in a university abroad;
• Candidates with a degree from a foreign university, provided they can prove a (currently active) affiliation with a university in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Support consists of a monthly scholarship supporting the international mobility, not a salary, for the duration of the research programme. Any insurance fees and return travel expenses are also covered. 

What are the objectives of the support?

Presentation of the pilot scheme (presentation of the programme and the IARC) via this link.

All of the IARC's research programmes are presented on the Agency's website. It is recommended that you analyse the different research areas presented on the IARC's dedicated page and that you contact the scientific teams before submitting the application.

What added value can the support provide?

• Encourage networking between research institutions;
• Capture expertise that doesn't exist in Wallonia and then reproduce it;
• Offer existing expertise in Wallonia;
• Support the development of research and innovation;
• Contribute to cutting edge research carried out by the International Agency for Research on Cancer;
• Collaborate with leading international researchers in an environment providing cutting-edge technology;
• Improve your research profile and career prospects internationally.

Your project

1. Type of scholarship

Long-term postdoctoral scholarships (minimum 1 year, can be renewed once);

2. Destination country

The postdoctoral stay will take place at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon (France).

Conditions

1. Eligibility requirements

What conditions must the candidate meet?

• a maximum of three application attempts will be allowed for each candidate;
• a maximum period of 5 years is allowed between obtaining the doctorate and applying for an Excellence scholarship. This period is increased by one year for each birth and/or adoption made within this period;
• in the event of a new application, any changes made to the previous application must be justified;
• each candidate will be able to benefit from a maximum of one scholarship (can potentially include a period of renewal);
• all applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be inadmissible and no further action will be taken.

All inquiries and/or applications should be sent to: bourses@wbi.be

2. Selection criteria

How will you be assessed?

WBI will select the applications in collaboration with all the scientific and institutional partners involved in the programme.

The jury is composed of members of:

• the Fund for Scientific Research – F.R.S.-FNRS;
• the Operational Directorate General for the Economy, Employment and Research of the Wallonia Public Service (DG06);
• the International Agency for Research on Cancer;
• WBI.

Subsidies and insurance

Subsidies

What are the subsidies and how much are they worth?

Subsidies awarded to researchers in the form of:

• Coverage by WBI of the expenses for your international return travel in economy class from your home to your place of work, based on a simulation drawn up by WBI;
• Coverage by WBI of a net monthly scholarship of €3,000 → ATTENTION: this scholarship is not a salary;
• Coverage by WBI of any educational fees (ONLY on the basis of a request from the recipient submitted BEFORE the subsidy is drawn up);
• Coverage by WBI of any insurance fees (ONLY on the basis of a request from the recipient submitted BEFORE the subsidy is drawn up);

2. Payment terms

Regarding the instalments:
→ A monthly payment will be made.

For ALL other expenses:
→ These will be reimbursed ONLY on the basis of the submission of a declaration of claim accompanied by the relevant supporting documents.

3. Insurance

What insurance is covered by WBI?

→ Travel assistance abroad (scholarship holder alone or accompanied): Medical expenses + Repatriation.

Your application

1. How to submit your application

When should you submit your application?

No later than 1 February (UTC/GMT +1) preceding the academic year in which the applicant wishes to travel
→ departure no later than 1 October.

How should you send your application?

Your application must be sent by email to the International Scholarships Department at the following address: bourses@wbi.be

If your attachments are too large, your application must be completed with an online sharing link (Google Drive, WeTransfer, Dropbox, etc.).

2. Application

Your application must include the following documents:

• Application form: see below;
• Annex 1: Declaration of additional funds;
• Annex 2: At least 2 letters of recommendation from the faculty of your home institution able to judge the scientific quality of your work. These must be sent by email directly to WBI and cannot be shared with you. PLEASE NOTE: these letters of recommendation must be written using the framework specified in the appendix to the application form;
• Annex 3: Letter of invitation or agreement from host institution and sponsor supervising the research. A demonstration of the mutually beneficial nature of the cooperation will be assessed positively (no framework). To obtain this letter, you will be required to hold a prior interview with the research teams you have targeted for your project + a contact link;
• Annex 4: A copy of the doctoral degree(s). 

3. Aspects to be considered

Your application must be complete, signed and dated.

All applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be inadmissible and no further action will be taken.

Our decision

1. Decision-making procedure

The selection process takes place in 5 STEPS:

1. An administrative check of your application based on eligibility requirements;
2. Applications deemed admissible are forwarded to the selection jury for analysis;
3. The jury sends its ranking to WBI;
4. WBI analyses the results and allocates scholarships according to the budget available;
5. WBI communicates the results to candidates.

2. People in charge of selection

Your selection is made by a jury composed of members of:

• the Fund for Scientific Research – F.R.S.-FNRS;
• the Operational Directorate General for the Economy, Employment and Research of the Wallonia Public Service (DG06);
• the International Agency for Research on Cancer;
• WBI.

3. Communication of the decision

In principle, the decision is reached during the month of June.

4. Aspects to be considered

Once the results have been communicated by WBI, the candidate will have 7 calendar days to decide whether or not to accept the scholarship, so as not to disadvantage any substitute candidates.

What happens if you are granted the support?

A practical SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS' guide will be sent to you if you have been selected.

1. How will you receive the subsidy?

Once the competent jury has made the selection and the candidate has accepted the scholarship, WBI draws up the relevant certificates and the subsidy proposal.

Pay close attention to any procedures you may need to complete to gain access to the country and work there, depending on your destination.

2. What are your obligations?

Acknowledge WBI's support

Any document relating to the subsidised activity that is made public must state:
"With the support of Wallonia-Brussels International" and the WBI logo (www.wbi.be/fr/logos).

Submit periodic reports, as well as an end-of-mission report and your ALUMNI sheet

Periodic reports, as well as an end-of-mission report and your ALUMNI sheet will be requested.

3. What is the final date for submitting your documents?

If you've been selected, we'll send you all the relevant and compulsory dates in the form of your decree on subsidies and the practical SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS' guide.

Contact

Wallonia-Brussels International
International Scholarships Department

Place Sainctelette, 2
B - 1080 Bruxelles

bourses@wbi.be