Travel Grants for Biomedical Researchers

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF), a German foundation for basic biomedical research, offers travel grants that let junior scientists spend up to three months working in a laboratory or taking a practical course away from their home institution.

## About this grant BIF's travel grants let junior researchers learn new experimental methods firsthand, by funding short-term research stays or practical courses of up to three months at a host laboratory in Europe or overseas. The underlying project must be basic biomedical research aimed at elucidating fundamental biological phenomena of human life; applied research such as diagnostic, biotechnological, or pharmaceutical development is not eligible, and neither is conference attendance without hands-on training, clinical electives, or clinical studies.

## Who can apply - MD/PhD students during their doctoral thesis, postdoctoral researchers, and "PhD candidates" (graduates accepted for a PhD project abroad, not yet started with their prospective supervisor) - European citizens working in Europe or overseas; non-European citizens doing their MD/PhD/postdoctoral project in Europe - Students/graduates: entrance qualification obtained no more than 11 years (132 months) before applying; postdocs: qualifying degree no more than 13 years (156 months) before applying - Only one BIF travel grant per 12-month period, and it cannot be combined with a grant from another funder

## What it covers - Research stays or practical courses of up to three months - Travel costs, economical student housing, and course fees (where applicable), based on quotes submitted with the application - Host institute covers all other research-related costs; home institution keeps paying salary during the stay (PhD students/postdocs) - BIF provides no insurance for grant holders

## How to apply - Apply online at travelgrant.bifonds.de, in English, written by the applicant: an application form plus a PDF upload of required documents (max 2 MB per file) - All applicants submit scanned exam certificates (PhD/MSc/BSc/MD, translated if not in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Dutch), secondary-education documents, and one PDF of cost quotes for travel, housing, and course fees - Courses/research stays also need a 3-5 page project proposal, a host/organizer acceptance letter, and a recommendation letter from the current supervisor - Pre-PhD visits also need a project proposal, a host acceptance letter confirming willingness to offer a PhD position, and a recommendation from the thesis supervisor - Submit six weeks to six months before departure; an offer expires if not taken up within six months of notification

## Key dates - Rolling basis: apply between six months and six weeks before your planned departure date

No fees are ever required to apply for this grant. Contact Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds directly with questions.