Travel grants for early career researchers

Applications are open until the end of PIANOFORTE, with a quarterly evaluation process.

General description
The European Partnership PIANOFORTE, funded by HE EURATOM programme, offers 40,000 € per year for travel awards to junior scientists working in the field of radiation protection research. Support can be given for participation in a conference, in a course or for an exchange visit to a research laboratory.


Who is eligible?
Early career researchers (max 7 years after gaining the PhD), PhD or MSc students working in the broad field of radiation protection research. The support is not paid to BSc students. At the time of the trip, an eligible person must be affiliated to an institution within one of the 27 European Union member states or Ukraine.


When should you apply?
Applications may be submitted at any time. However, there are 4 application deadlines per year:

• 31^st March,
• 30^th June,
• 30^th September,
• 31^st December.

After each deadline a maximum sum of 10,000 € will be paid out to the top applicants. The maximal level of support per applicant is 1000€.

The support is only granted:

• To early career researchers who defended their PhD not later than 7 years earlier, to PhD and MSc students working on their theses.
• For travel outside the country of residence.
• To cover travel expenses, lodging and conference fees. A budget must be included in an application. Please note that you cannot be reimbursed for food or meals.
• Once to a person per year, meaning that a person cannot receive support twice within the same calendar year. An applicant may only submit one application within one application deadline.
• For a trip that will take place within max 9 months after the application deadline.

How to apply:

1. Fill the application form (download here).
2. Send additional documents neccessary for correct evaluation of your application. The documents needed are:

• Motivation letter.
• Curriculum vitae (CV). The CV should not exceed 1 page and contain information relevant to the application, such as the date of getting PhD degree.
• Signed letter of support from the head of the unit.
• Abstract if the applicant is applying for a conference travel support. Notice that no support will be given for passive conference attendance.
• Invitation letter with motivation if the applicant is applying for travel support to carry out an exchange visit.
• A course programme and letter of acceptance if the applicant is applying for travel support to participate in a course.
• Detailed budget covering expected costs.

The application form and all documents should be sent to Anne von Euler at pianoet.mbw@su.se.

Evaluation procedure
The decision about support will be made within 15 days after the nearest application deadline. The time of application in relation to the deadline has no influence on the evaluation outcome. The applications will be evaluated by the Education and Training Committee (ETC), consisting of the members of task 4.2.

The following evaluation criteria and ranking will be applied:

• Relevance to radiation protection research: 1 (least) – 10 (most),
• Scientific quality of the abstract or plan of visit: 1 (least) – 10 (most),
• Scientific merits of the applicant: 1 (least) – 10 (most).

Successful applicants will be required to submit a report on their visit on completion of the activity. Also, they are encouraged to share their experience within the PIANOFORTE community, e.g. on PIANOFORTE website and available social media channels. All publications resulting from the mobility activities shall acknowledge the PIANOFORTE Mobility Programme by using the following sentence:
This work has been partially supported by the PIANOFORTE project that has received funding from the H2020-EURATOM research and innovation program under the 101061037 grant agreement.

Successful applicants will be reimbursed after completion of the activity and after submission of proofs of expenses.

Considering the European Green Deal
When planning the travel please consider the possibility of reducing the carbon footprint. Actions to be considered include preferential choice of train transportation and minimizing printing of any paper material.

Travel grants awarded in 2025

Travel grants awarded in 2024

Travel grants awarded in 2023