Take part in the Open Doors Fellowship Program and open your lab to meaningful collaboration with African Scientists!
The Open Doors Fellowship Program, coordinated by IPBO (International Plant Biotechnology Outreach) in partnership with VLIR-UOS and UGent, targets post-doctoral and mid-career women working in African (inter)national research centers. Our program aims to support researchers and prevent talent from leaving the scientific pipeline.
The program is structured in two phases. In Phase 1, our fellows expand their research horizons and scientific network in Belgium through a three-month fully funded short research stage. In Phase 2, upon returning to Africa, the fellows will engage in 17 months of online training to develop skills such as negotiation, leadership, and project management, helping them navigate their careers with increased confidence and competence.
As we enter the third year of candidate selection, we are looking for Flemish labs willing to host our fellows from May 2025. The program covers all official bench fees, visa paperwork, accommodation, stipend disbursement, and travel arrangements. All you need to do is to open the doors of your lab!
There are two modalities to join the program:
- Modality A: For researchers interested in exploring new partnerships with African scholars. By opening a slot related to an ongoing project in your lab, you can establish a long-term, sustainable partnership with Southern researchers. Potential candidates will apply for the project through our website, and the IPBO team will handle the pre-selection of the most competitive and suitable candidates for your lab, followed by a second round of selection with your participation.
- Modality B: For researchers who already have an established collaboration with African postdoctoral women and wish to expand with them on new research activities. This modality allows both of you to conduct advanced research in Flanders that may not be feasible in Africa or can be expedited in Belgium.
By joining the ODFP, your lab can gain insights into African research, expand your network, promote diversity and inclusivity, and enhance your group's capacity and mentoring skills.
The Principal Investigators who previously participated in the ODFP have been highly satisfied with the outcomes of their collaborations. If you still have doubts, you can listen to their enthusiastic testimonials here.
For any questions regarding the program and how to join, contact IPBO or visit our website. If you are interested in joining the program, contact us before the 27th of September, 2024. An info-session will be organized on the 25th of September 2024 to give more details about the program. You can register here.
The IPBO team