GCP Fellowships – Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I apply for a GCP Fellowship?
2. I do not collaborate with a GCP project at the moment. Can I still apply?|
3. What happens if I miss the deadline for applications?
4. It is very difficult to implement the new training in my home institution. What can I do?
5. When will I be notified whether I qualified for the full proposals stage or not? If I did, what does the GCP expect me to do?
6. Can I conduct my research work in my home institution?
7. Will I definitely receive US$25,000 regardless of the duration of my fellowship?
8. Can I use part of the fellowship award to complete my MSc or PhD studies?
9. Can I purchase a desktop/laptop computer with my fellowship award?
10. I would like to stay longer at the host country after my fellowship period, is this possible?
11. Does the GCP Fellowship include spouse allowance?
12. What do I need to do prior to receiving the fellowship funds?
13. Where will the fellowship money be deposited?
14. I need a visa to travel to the host country. Would GCP help me with my visa application, in case I need additional documents?
15. Can I still make changes to my budget after starting my fellowship period?
16. After signing my Letter of Award (contract) I realised I cannot travel in the stipulated dates. What happens in this case?
17. What happens if I cannot complete my fellowship for any reason?
18. Who can I contact if I need further information?
1. How can I apply for a GCP Fellowship?
First of all, you must take into account that this call targets crop science researchers from a developing country research institution. Applicants must have minimum MSc, or equivalent, in a relevant subject area (please consult the Call for proposals for a list of relevant research subjects). You will also need to prove that you are engaged in a related ongoing research activity in your home country.
The documents that you need to submit to apply for a fellowship are described in detail in the call for applications and application form.
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2. I do not collaborate with a GCP project at the moment. Can I still apply?
Yes. Whilst collaborating with ongoing GCP-related research is a desirable condition, it is not mandatory.
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3. What happens if I miss the deadline for applications?
If you miss the deadline you will need to wait until a new call for applications is opened. Normally, this may take up to one year. Therefore, it is recommended that you prepare and submit your documents well in advance of the deadline.
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4. It is very difficult to implement the new training in my home institution. What can I do?
If you, or your institution currently collaborate(s) with GCP in ongoing research, you may wish to consider the Capacity Building à la carte Programme instead. However, you must take into account that this Programme targets teams, rather than individuals..
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5. When will I be notified whether I qualified for the full proposals stage or not? If I did, what does the GCP expect me to do?
GCP will contact applicants by January 10th 2008. Candidates who qualify for the second stage will receive a new application form by e-mail and are required to submit proposals by 31st January 2008. They must contact the host scientists right after receiving notification from GCP. Basic contact details (e-mail, phone number) will be provided with the notification e-mail.
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6. Can I conduct my research work in my home institution?
No. The majority of work must be done at the host institution, as the purpose of the fellowship is to provide access to technologies and expertise that are unknot available at the applicant’s institution. Otherwise, the fellowship wouldn’t represent any advantage for meaningful training.
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7. Will I definitely receive US$25,000 regardless of the duration of my fellowship?
No. US$ 25,000 is the maximum that will be awarded, but the fellowship budget is calculated according to the duration of the fellowship, taking into account the host country (cost of living differs drastically from a country to another), actual cost of air tickets, accommodation, etc.
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8. Can I use part of the fellowship award to complete my MSc or PhD studies?
The programme requires that the applicant have at least an MSc (or equivalent) degree at the moment of applying. Should the applicant be a PhD candidate, GCP may consider such a request as long as the other conditions are fulfilled, but reserves the right to decline such a request.
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9. Can I purchase a desktop/laptop computer with my fellowship award?
It depends. In principle, the fellowship award must be used to cover travel, living expenses, accommodation, laboratory consumables and conference participation (where applicable). GCP could consider accepting the purchase of a computer as long as the fellow’s home institution certifies the use and benefit of the equipment for its own research activities after the fellowship period. GCP will consider a request of this kind only if it has been well justified before the application deadline. Other personal equipment is excluded, without exception.
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10. I would like to stay longer at the host country after my fellowship period, is this possible?
Applicants must demonstrate engagement in related ongoing research in their home countries, therefore they are expected to return to their instititution after the fellowship so as to guarantee the impact of the fellowship to the home institution and their own research activities.
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11. Does the GCP Fellowship include spouse allowance?
Normally, the GCP fellowship does not consider such allowance. However, GCP could consider accepting this if the fellowship duration is more than 6 months and the budget reasonable.
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12. What do I need to do prior to receiving the fellowship funds?
The first payment will be made upon receipt of a signed contract, and the subsequent installments will be upon submission and approval of technical and financial reports.
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13. Where will the fellowship money be deposited?
It is the responsibility of the fellow to open a personal account, either at the host country or wherever he/she decides, as long as there will be no constraints to access the funds. Please note that no funds can be transferred to an account that is not under the fellow’s name.
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14. I need a visa to travel to the host country. Would GCP help me with my visa application, in case I need additional documents?
Although the best supporting document is the Letter of Award that each fellow receives after his/her selection, the GCP may provide a letter of confirmation of the fellowship award with a brief description of the programme, the process of selection and the fellowship period. The letter commits the fellow to return to his/her home country after the fellowship period. This is an importantant consideration for the consular authorities in making their decision on visa issuance.
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15. Can I still make changes to my budget after starting my fellowship period?
In very few cases the budget allocated to a specific line item is insufficient or overestimated. This is an undesirable situation and the fellow must try and avoid it from the beginning (frequent communication with the host scientist is very important so as to ensure appropriate funds for each budget line). However, up to 10% change may be acceptable, but it will require approval by GCP.
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16. After signing my Letter of Award (contract) I realised I cannot travel in the stipulated dates. What happens in this case?
The eventuality must be very well justified in order not to lose your award. If there is not a sound reason for this and if you have already received the first installment of your grant, you will have to refund GCP as soon as possible.
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17. What happens if I cannot complete my fellowship for any reason?
You must inform GCP about the situation immediately. Any unspent funds must be returned to GCP, and a financial report detailing all funds spent must be submitted.
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18. Who can I contact if I need further information?
Please note that full details on 2008 Fellowships can be found in the Call for proposals. Should you require further information, please feel free to contact Ms. Laura Ruiz, Subprogramme 5 Assistant (l.ruiz@cigar.org, phone: +52 55 5804 2004, ext. 1317).
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