Luxembourg National Research Fund

ALPBACH SUMMER SCHOOL

Held annually since 1975, the Alpbach Summer School enjoys a long tradition in providing in-depth teaching on aspects of space science and space technology with the aim of advancing the training and working experience of European graduates, post-graduate students, young scientists and engineers. The Summer School is organised by the Aeronautics and Space Agency of FFG and co-sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA). 

Each year, the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), with the support of the FNR and GLAE, is encourages candidates from Luxembourg to participate in this unique programme.

Eligibility 

This Call is open to candidates at Master or PhD level in science or engineering, specifically:

• candidates of Luxembourg origins (Luxembourg nationality or Luxembourg residence for 5+ years) 
• candidates from among the member and cooperating states of the European Space Agency ESA, who conduct their studies/research work at a Luxembourg-based institution*. 

*They need a valid registration/employment contract in Luxembourg at the time of application. 

 Applicants must commit to being present in Alpbach for the full duration of the summer school. 

Application

Eligible candidates must complete an online registration form. In addition, an endorsement form has to be submitted by their university professor, supervisor or equivalent to the Aeronautics and Space Agency of FFG. For further details regarding the summer school program and the registration, please refer to: www.summerschoolalpbach.at. 

Selection and financial support 

The selection of candidates will be conducted jointly by the organisers of the Alpbach Summer School, the Luxembourg Space Agency, the FNR and the GLAE (Groupement Luxembourgeois de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace).  

The participation of the selected candidates will be financially supported by the FNR (for PhD candidates) or by the GLAE (for Master students). The financial support covers all fixed expenses, i.e. registration, travel, accommodation.  

For any questions, please contact the Luxembourg National Point of Contact for the Alpbach Summer School: Bo Byloos, Luxembourg Space Agency bo.byloos@space-agency.lu

EUROSCIENCE OPEN FORUM (ESOF)

ESOF is the biennial pan-European meeting dedicated to scientific research and innovation. At ESOF meetings leading scientists, researchers, business people, entrepreneurs and innovators, policy makers, science and technology communicators and the general public from all over the world discuss new discoveries and debate the direction that research is taking worldwide. It involves a unique career programme where the key objective is to provide career openings and targeted programmes for postgraduates and young researchers.

The FNR normally awards 10 travel grants for young researchers in or from Luxembourg to attend.

Eligibility

The call targets excellent young researchers (PhD or postdoc level) of any nationality, who are either based in Luxembourg or abroad (abroad must be funded by the FNR).

Application & deadline

In order to apply, candidates have to complete and sign the ESOF application form (link to form) and join a CV based on the FNR template for narrative-style CV (link) (including an updated ORCID profile). Upon submitting the application, applicants agree to the full acceptance of the rules and to the decision taken by the FNR. Applicants must commit to participate onsite at ESOF for the full duration of the meeting.

Selection process & financial support

The selection of ESOF participants will be based on the following selection criteria:

1. Excellence of the candidate
2. Motivation to participate at ESOF

The selection will be undertaken by FNR and applicants will be informed by end of April of the outcome of the selection process. Upon information by the FNR of the successful application, beneficiaries must confirm within 5 working days that they accept the travel grant.

Management, payment of grants and onsite support by EuroScience

The FNR ESOF 2022 grant was a personal merit-based travel grant. Upon confirmation of participation by the grantee, the FNR will communicate the name and Email of the beneficiary to EuroScience, who manages the travel grant on behalf of the FNR.

EuroScience will provide all practical information and support for the grantees before the event and onsite.

The payment of the travel grant is as follows:

• 50% (i.e. 350 EUR) of the grant will be paid upon proof of registration
• 50% of the grant will be paid upon receipt of the proof of participation (c.f. below)

No cost statement or receipt is required.

The grantees are in charge of organising themselves their registration, travel and accommodation. In order to reduce the carbon footprint, the FNR strongly encourages grantees to travel to ESOF by public transport or by car pooling (covoiturage).

Proof of participation

EuroScience requests a proof of onsite participation at ESOF in the form of a brief report on their ESOF experience (max. 2 p, incl. pictures), to be submitted by each of the grantees to EuroScience within 2 weeks after the end of the ESOF conference.

FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS

In November 2017, the FNR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg (Fulbright Commission). The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange programme of the U.S. Department of State promoting international exchange between the United States and over 160 countries worldwide. It fosters and promotes academic excellence and cross-cultural exchange.

The Fulbright Award competition for Luxembourg is held annually by the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg (Fulbright Commission). It administers several prestigious Fulbright scholarship programmes for Luxembourg citizens. This includes grants for research visits of pre-doctoral, post-doctoral and senior researchers (visiting scholars) at US academic institutions, which are now co-funded by the FNR.

Annual deadline of 1 December.

Benefits

Through this MoU, the two organisations will co-fund grants for research visits of Luxembourgish pre-doctoral (PhD students), post-doctoral and senior researchers at US academic institutions within the framework of the prestigious Fulbright Awards programme.

Benefits include a monthly stipend, a one-time travel stipend, sickness and accident benefits, J-1 visa sponsorship, pre-departure orientation and in-country programming (e.g., Gateway Orientations, Fulbright Enrichment Seminars), membership in active Fulbright alumni networks, etc.

Research visits must be between 3 and 9 months and are possible in all potential areas of scientific research.

Eligibility

Application

All applicants to the Fulbright Program for Luxembourg must be Luxembourgish citizens and have proficiency in English. (Non-Luxembourg nationals are invited to consult the Fulbright Commission’s websites for opportunities that may exist for their country).

Eligible applicants must complete an online application available via links on the Fulbright Commission’s website, which also contains further details about the Fulbright programme, application and selection procedure, and benefits. After submission, please be aware that the application must also be submitted to the FNR’s online grant management system.

LINDAU NOBEL LAUREATE MEETINGS

Since their foundation in 1951, the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings have developed into a unique international scientific forum. The annual Meetings provide an opportunity for an exchange between different generations, cultures and disciplines. Once every year, around 30-40 Nobel Laureates convene in Lindau to meet the next generation of leading scientists: 600 undergraduates, PhD students, and post-doc researchers from all over the world.

The theme of the Lindau Meetings alternates between the three Nobel Prize scientific disciplines, Physics, Chemistry or Physiology/Medicine. Every five years an interdisciplinary Meeting takes place, while the Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences is held every three years. The varied formats of the scientific programme – lectures, discussions and more – are designed based on the principle of dialogue and to activate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experience between and among Nobel Laureates and young scientists.

Eligibility

The Lindau Meetings take place in June. For each meeting, the FNR can nominate two young researchers to attend. Final selection is made by the Lindau Meeting committee.

This Call is open to:

• Candidates of Luxembourg origins (Luxembourg nationality or Luxembourg residence for 5+ years)
• Non-Luxembourgers who conduct their studies/research work predominantly at a Luxembourg-based institution.
• Candidates must be under the age of 35, and at Masters, PhD or early Postdoc level, in the field of physiology and medicine.

Please refer to the document in section ‘Selection process’ for more detailed information about the selection criteria of the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.

Application

The Lindau Meetings take place in June, with the deadline for the FNR call for participation normally about 8 months before. If you are interested in taking part in a Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, the FNR invites you to submit your application during an open call, which consists of:

• an up-to-date ORCID profile (online platform), indicating your education, any employments and eventual works produced;
• a narrative-style CV, based on this template.

Selection & financial support

The FNR will conduct a pre-selection and nominate up to two candidates to the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. Nominated candidates are then invited to submit a separate application (including a letter of recommendation) directly to the Lindau selection committee for the final selection.

Funding specifics

All fixed expenses related to the participation of the nominated candidates (i.e. travel, accommodation, registration) will be covered by the FNR, the Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings and/or other funder(s).