Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program 2025 (up to CHF 150,000)

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About Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program

The Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program is a globally competitive fellowship program for early and mid-career researchers whose work is dedicated to improving the learning and development of children and youth worldwide. The relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to, education sciences, psychology, economics, sociology, behavioral science, computer science, pedagogy, linguistics, neurosciences, and science of learning.

Particularly encouraged to apply are scholars who seek to combine multiple levels of analysis and engage in interdisciplinary work. A special focus lies on work to understand and embrace variability in learning; promote the generation, transfer, and practical application of evidence on human learning and development or increase the capacity to scale up effective education policies and practices.

The Jacobs Foundation is especially interested in the following questions, which are aligned with their research agenda:

• How do variations in individuals and contextual factors influence learning and development and learning outcomes?
• How can we design for learner variability at scale to enable all children to reach their
  potential as learners and in life?
• How can we produce interventions that reduce growing inequalities in children's learning and overcome disparities in the impacts of digital technologies?
• How can we address the role of data to help learners and teachers make informed decisions about their learning and teaching?

OFFERS AND EXPECTATIONS

The Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship provides independent and competitive funding. In addition, the fellowship offers a range of non-financial benefits. Fellows are expected to make use of these opportunities for networking and development and to engage with the Jacobs Foundation as detailed below.

What the Jacobs Foundation offers	What the Jacobs Foundation expects
Networking and alumni events and opportunity for exchange with other Jacobs Foundation Research Fellows and alumni	Participation in and contribution to events organized by the Jacobs Foundation, e.g., attendance of annual meeting of the Research Fellowship Program Interaction and collaboration with other Fellows
Media channels to disseminate your work to the broader scientific and public audience	Contribution to communication activities of the Jacobs Foundation, e.g., BOLD articles Help spread articles on BOLD, e.g., through own social media channels
Opportunities for personal and scientific development through integration into the Jacobs Foundation's network (e.g., exchange on online platform, attendance of conferences, Fellowship meetings)	Updates on personal and scientific development, e.g., on publications, grants, new positions, media coverage, exchange with policy and decision makers once a year in an annual progress report
A meaningful partnership including ample space for innovative ideas and activities within and beyond the research sector	Active partnership with the Jacobs Foundation by providing ideas, and activities, e.g., organizing symposia at international conferences or workshops with other Research Fellows and alumni Interest in the Jacobs Foundation's national and international programs and, where feasible, active involvment
Recognition as part of the Jacobs Foundation's network	Acknowledgment of support through Jacobs Foundation (e.g., in publications, presentations)

• Sponsor Organisation: Jacobs Foundation

Benefits of Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program

• The funding amount is CHF 150,000. Funding from Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowships is awarded directly to the fellow's institution and may be used by the fellow over a three-year period to cover a portion of the fellow's salary and for any purpose in support of the fellow's research, such as assistants' salaries, equipment, technical assistance, professional travel, or trainee support.

Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program Requirements

The ideal candidate:

• has obtained his/her PhD or equivalent degree within the past 10 years;
• is employed at an institution of higher education or research institute;
• is conducting high-quality research in an area of interest to the Jacobs Foundation;
• is committed to engaging with the Jacobs Foundation and the Fellowship Network and contributing to the Foundation's activities.

The following selection criteria are weighted equally:

• Past research accomplishments and publication record.
• Creativity and potential for serving as a leader in the scientific community.
• Scientific quality of methods and data.
• International relevance of the fellow's planned work.
• Potential for promoting human development and learning.
• Alignment of planned projects with the goals of the Jacobs Foundation.
• Willingness to support the Foundation's aims and to engage with them.

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply.

A few tips on how to write a Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Application

General

• Answer all questions posed in the online application form.

• We can only accept applications in English.

• Be as concise but also as informative and illustrative as you can within the word limit. References are within the word limit. Budgets, photographs, or charts are not required.

• Do not focus on a single project only. We want to know more about your research plans and ideas for the next 3-5 years.

Alignment

• Make your application for the Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship.

• Please visit the Jacobs Foundation website for more information on the general goals of the Foundation, and especially the Strategy 2030.

• Explain your motivation for the application and for collaboration if awarded with a Fellowship.

• We are looking for highly talented, creative, innovative, and committed applicants with a high interest in engaging with the Jacobs Foundation, and other Fellows as well as the broader network. Your application should demonstrate your ability and willingness to be an active member of a distinguished network.

• Be aware of the selection criteria. Only candidates who score high on all criteria can be considered for a fellowship

Application steps

• Initial application: The first round of application focuses strongly on the alignment of your research plans with the Jacobs Foundation’s goals. In addition, we want to know if you personally would be a strong member of the network.

• Extended proposal: The second round focuses more strongly on details of your planned research for the fellowship period. We want to know more about your ideas for your work as well as how you would engage with the Foundation and the network. 

• Interview: During the interview, we want to find out if there is a mutual fit between you and the Foundation and clarify open questions that we have based on your written application. It is more a conversation than a scientific interview.

• Review: All three steps are conducted by a team consisting of internal (Jacobs Foundation) and external reviewers in a multiplicity of disciplines. Applicants who make it to the second or third step will be given a feedback on their application.

Contact

For any questions, please email [email protected].

Application Deadline

04 February, 2025

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