Deadline: January 13, 2025
Applications are now open for the IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program 2025. Every summer since 1977, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) has hosted up to 50 doctoral students from around the world in its Young Scientist Summer Program (YSSP). YSSP fellows undertake a scientific project within the scope of their PhD on a topic related to the IIASA research agenda. The program runs from June to August at IIASA in Laxenburg, Austria, and participants have the opportunity to finalize their research papers from home in September.
The program is designed for advanced Ph.D. students working on a topic compatible with ongoing research at IIASA and wish to explore the policy implications of their work. Participants will be working under the direct mentorship of an experienced IIASA scientist in a unique interdisciplinary and international research environment. They will produce a paper (serving as a first step towards a publishable journal article) and get the opportunity to foster contacts for future collaboration within the institute’s worldwide network.
Funding
Most of their Member Organizations (MOs) provide grants to enable young scientists (either their own nationals or foreign students studying in their country) to participate in the YSSP. All successfully selected applicants will receive notification about funding shortly after the evaluation process.
The stipend varies slightly among MOs, but usually it is € 1700 per month plus airfare. If you are not citizen of or resident in an MO country you must find alternative funds (either from your home institution or other sources) to finance participation.
IIASA does not charge a tuition fee. In general, participants are expected to cover all expenses associated with their stay (3 months rent, meals, local transportation, expenses for any accompanying dependents, and health insurance) from their MO grant or their other funding source.
Eligibility
- You are an advanced graduate student, ideally 1-2 years from PhD degree.
- Your field of study complements research at IIASA (see below for some guidance)
- You are interested in interdisciplinary research.
- You would like to apply your research to global challenges facing society.
- Your research and career would benefit from working alongside 50 young scientists, as well as senior researchers, from around the world.
- Applicants can choose to work with up to two programs. We strongly encourage to carefully read through all program descriptions before making your decision.
- Applicants from all countries are welcome, although IIASA gives priority to citizens or residents of Member Organizations (MO) countries.
- Participation in the YSSP is only possible for one summer (however, you may apply several times) and you will need to be present at the institute (i.e. no fieldwork or working remotely) for the full duration of the program.
Application
The application process is simple and convenient. It is not necessary to complete the entire application at once; you can always add information and make changes, then leave the site and come back later.
Before sending your application you are strongly advised to get in touch with the relevant program representatives to find out about mutual interest in your intended research.
Applications cannot be considered unless your reference letters have been received. We will send requests for recommendation to the referees as proposed in your application, but it is definitely worthwhile to follow up with your referees in person. Reference letters should be uploaded latest by 24 hrs after the application deadline (14 January 2025).
For more information, visit IIASA.
