Inspire

Two researchers working in a lab — INSPIRE

INSPIRE (INnovative Sustainable Development InterdisciPlinary Post-Doctoral Research Excellence) Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme

Call 2 opened 30th August 2023. Application submission deadline 22nd November 2023, 13:00 GMT

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About the Programme

Postdoctoral fellowship programme

INSPIRE is a Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) postdoctoral fellowship programme for intersectoral training, career development and mobility. INSPIRE will offer 20 fellowship positions for incoming postdocs to focus on Microbiome and the Sustainable Development Goals aimed at tackling global societal challenges related to food systems and health.

Funding

INSPIRE will fund 20 two-year prestigious postdoctoral fellowships for incoming mobility at APC Microbiome Ireland and participating host institutions.

Experience

INSPIRE Fellowships are for experienced researchers of any nationality residing worldwide and fellows will conduct their research at APC microbiome Ireland, UCC or at one of its academic partners institutes (NUIG, Teagasc Moorepark, MTU, UL, UCD and TCD).

Research

Research must align with APC’s strategic vision and core research themes and tackle global societal challenges outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals ranging from Anti-Microbial Resistance, Non-Communicable Diseases to Sustainable Food Systems.
The four core APC research areas are ‘Microbes to Molecules’, ‘Diet and Microbes, ‘Gut-Brain Microbe Axis’ and ‘Host-Microbe Dialogue’.

SDGs

The programme is committed to research that aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). INSPIRE seeks to tackle this deficit by developing a cohort of researchers that consider the practical applications of their research for promoting innovative solutions to global challenges by combining research into the Microbiome and solutions to global challenges relating to food and health (e.g AMR / NCDs or those highlighted by the SDGs).

Calls

Fellowships will be awarded over 2 calls. The first call is closed. The second call will open August 30th 2023 with a closing date of 22nd November 2023.

Aims of INSPIRE

Training, career development and mobility fellowship

The programme will develop an intersectoral training, career development and mobility fellowship that will address real global challenges. Fellows will receive high quality, tailor made career development, training and practical industry exposure expanding their capacity and confidence to tackle one of the most significant issues of our day - (AMR, Sustainable developmemt, SFS or NCDs).

Developing excellence in research

Develop experienced researchers to tackle challenges such as anti-microbial resistance (AMR), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), sustainable food systems (SFS) or those identified by the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Foster the next generation of innovative researchers who are adaptable and can contribute effectively to changing future needs.

Freedom to Choose

INSPIRE applicants will have the freedom to choose their research topic (within the remit of the programme), supervisor and intersectoral secondment host.

Intersectoral Secondments

Fellows will go on a mandatory 3-6 month non-academic secondment. Secondments will be relevant to the fellow’s research project and to their own career development.

Important Dates

Dates*	Activity
30th August 2023	Call 2 opens
22nd November 2023	Submission deadline
23rd November -7th December	Eligibility check and ethics check
Dec-Jan 2024*	Remote peer review
Feb/March 2024*	Interviews for shortlisted candidates
March 2024*	Awardees notified
April-May 2024*	Fellowship start (once administrative approval has taken place)

*These dates are indicative and subject to change

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EU Funding

This project is co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme under the Marie Skłodowska–Curie Grant agreement No. 101034270.

INSPIREPostdoctoral Fellowship Programme

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