TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits 2026

Contexte

The TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme 2026 offers young scientists from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) an opportunity to undertake a three-month research visit or training internship at eligible research institutions in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region of Italy. Organised by UNESCO-TWAS in collaboration with the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei and the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), the programme supports researchers whose proposed projects contribute to sustainability science and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme is designed to strengthen the research capacity of promising scientists, particularly those at the early stages of their careers, while creating opportunities for international scientific collaboration.

Missions et responsabilités

• Undertake a three-month research visit at an eligible host institution in Trieste or Udine, Italy.
• Work within established laboratories and research centres, access relevant scientific facilities and develop professional links with researchers in Italy.
• Develop a research project demonstrating relevance to sustainability science and explaining how the proposed work can contribute to one or more SDGs.
• Engage in full-time research cooperation in scientific fields including physics, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, environmental biology, geosciences, oceanography, marine biology, sustainable blue economy, seismology, chemistry, agricultural sciences, cybersecurity, cultural heritage, genomics, materials science, nanotechnology and scientific computing.
• Return to the home country after completing the fellowship.

Profil recherché

• Be no more than 40 years old on 31 December 2026.
• Be nationals of a Least Developed Country.
• Hold an MSc or higher degree.
• Hold a research position in an LDC.
• Propose research in one of the scientific fields specified by the eligible host institutions.
• Develop a project relevant to sustainability science and the SDGs.
• Be able to demonstrate that they will return to their home country after completing the fellowship.
• Be available for a full-time three-month visit.
• Women scientists are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Applicants who are already in the host country are not eligible. Part-time visits are also ineligible, and successful applicants may not undertake other assignments during the fellowship period.
• Applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year within the TWAS and OWSD portfolio and will not be eligible to visit another institution under another programme during the same year.

Conditions et avantages

• Travel expenses and subsistence costs for the stay in Italy are covered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, through UNESCO-TWAS.
• Access to established laboratories, research centres and relevant scientific facilities in eligible host institutions including SISSA, ICGEB, INFN, OGS, University of Trieste, University of Udine, IOM-CNR, Area Science Park and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste.
• Opportunity to develop professional links with researchers in Italy and promote South-North-South scientific cooperation.

Dossier de candidature

• Completed application form.
• Copy of passport, including an expired passport if necessary.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Statement of scientific interests and future research plans in sustainability sciences in the applicant’s home country.
• Explanation of the proposed contribution to the SDGs.
• Full publication list.
• Copy of MSc or higher-degree certificate.
• Recent invitation letter from an eligible host laboratory confirming the proposed three-month research visit and cooperation arrangements.
• Recent signed recommendation letters from two referees familiar with the applicant’s work.

Comment postuler

Applications must be completed in English. Applicants are responsible for identifying a suitable research host among eligible institutions in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (such as SISSA, ICGEB, INFN, OGS, University of Trieste, University of Udine, IOM-CNR, Area Science Park and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste) and establishing contact before submitting the application. Applicants should research potential host institutions, identify suitable supervisors, contact them to discuss the proposed research and obtain an acceptance or invitation letter well before the deadline. The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 October 2026. Visit the official website to apply.