The Open Doors Fellowship Program (ODFP) has officially opened applications for its 2024 program, offering post-doctoral and mid-career women researchers a unique opportunity to enhance their skills and advance their careers in agricultural research within African (inter)national research centres.

Dedicated to preventing the dropout of women researchers before reaching the consolidation stage, the ODFP takes a holistic approach to skill-building. It addresses both hard and soft skills essential for professional growth within hosting institutions, providing a nurturing and empowering learning experience tailored to participants' specific training needs.

The ODFP unfolds in two comprehensive phases, offering an immersive experience for fellows. In Phase 1, spanning 1-4 months, participants embark on a fully-funded short research stage in Belgium, expanding their research horizons. This phase not only exposes fellows to cutting-edge equipment and techniques but also fosters long-term collaborations between Belgian and African research centres.

While in Belgium, fellows undergo specialized courses covering cross-cultural communication, public presentation skills, and crafting competitive project proposals under the EU Horizon funding scheme. These courses enrich their skill set, preparing them for a globally competitive research environment.

Phase 2 takes place upon the fellows' return to Africa, spanning 16 months. During this period, participants customize their training curriculum by accessing six courses from the VIB training online portfolio. These courses cover both soft and hard skills, including Negotiation Skills, Project Management, and Self-Leadership modules, empowering beneficiaries to navigate their careers with confidence.

Going beyond traditional training, the ODFP actively promotes the visibility of its fellows' scientific contributions. To ensure wider outreach, participants receive training in scientific communication, and financial incentives are provided to support their attendance at congresses and cover open-access publication fees.

As the ODFP continues to contribute to the advancement of women researchers in agricultural research, interested candidates are invited to apply for the 2024 program through the official application portal  Apply here.

 

Article by RB Reporter

Photo/Google

https://ipbo.vib-ugent.be/en/projects/open-doors-fellowship-program-0