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Applications are now open for the 2025 IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program. 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. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Opportunity Details
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:
Member Organisation (MO) Fellowships
Most of the institute’s Member Organizations (MOs) provide special grants to enable young scientists (either their own nationals or foreign students studying in their country) to participate in the YSSP. Note: only limited slots available so there is a chance that selected candidates will not get funding from a MO due to high demand.
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.
Special Fellowships
Applicants not eligible for an MO scholarship must find alternative funds from their home institution or other sources to finance their participation. IIASA has limited funds for exceptional applicants from non-MO countries. These are awarded as part of the selection procedure.
Who should apply? Apply if...
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.
1. If you are an advanced Ph.D. student, check if your topic is compatible with ongoing IIASA research. You will need to submit a research proposal for the project that you will work on while at IIASA. The proposal includes the following elements: abstract, research questions, methods, data requirements, innovative aspects, and expected results.
How to figure out which IIASA program/research group best fits your Ph.D. topic?
We recommend you familiarize yourself with IIASA research programs to better identify which one best suits your Ph.D. topic. We also recommend looking at some of the recent YSSP projects which can be found here. Additionally, we have listed IIASA research interests per program here to help you gain a better understanding.
2. Contact the respective IIASA program representative as soon as possible, if you have further questions or are unsure who would be a suitable mentor. Please draft your request using a pre-proposal (use this PDF form to orientate yourself as to the criteria to be fulfilled).
3. The final application needs to be submitted by the deadline: 13 January 2025. Click here to access the application portal.
4. Please note that IIASA does not have laboratories, therefore is not suitable for postdoctoral researchers looking to undertake lab-based research.
5. 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 in Laxenburg, Austria, for the full duration, i.e., three months of the program (no fieldwork or working remotely). Also, please note your research project must be completed and handed in by end of September
Apply for IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program