The 2020 International M. W. Welch Scholarship Award

Opportunity for Outstanding Young Scientists to Travel and Work at a Foreign Lab, the IUVSTA Welch Scholarship Award.

A scholarship is offered each year to a promising scholar who wishes to study vacuum science, techniques or their application in any field. One scholarship is awarded to encourage international cooperation. The winner of the competition will spend up to a year in a research lab in another country.
 
Applicants must make arrangements for the proposed research program with a laboratory of their choice. Strong preference will be given to applicants who propose to study in a foreign lab in which they have not yet studied. The research must be on a topic of vacuum science, technique or application. A form outlining the research program and signed by the supervisor in the laboratory where the research is to be carried out must be submitted with the application to indicate the agreement of the laboratory and the proposed supervisor. It is expected that the successful applicant will be encouraged to publish most of the results in scientific and technical journals.
 
Candidates for the scholarship should have at least a Bachelor’s degree; and be within a year of receiving a Ph.D. degree and not more than 2 years beyond receiving a Ph.D.
 
Conditions of the scholarship:
 
The scholarship must be used within a one-year period starting from the date of the award notice. For the award in the year of the pandemic 2020, we make a special case that the scholarship may be begun no later than the end of 2021 (December 31, 2021). This additional time will allow the scholarship holder to secure guaranteed time at their chosen institution. The length of study (at least 3 months and no longer than one year) is dependent on the cost-of-living at the host institution, the education level of the applicant (pre- vs post PhD), and the availability of other funds. The length of time and conditions must be specified in the letter from the host institution which accompanies the final application. In the case of a delay more than three months in reference to the submitted plan, another candidate may be chosen. The laboratory where the candidate wishes to work must approve any delay in the commencement of work.
 
The amount of the Scholarship will be $15,000 U.S.; the current value is given on the IUVSTA web site. The scholarship holder is encouraged to seek funds in addition to the scholarship.
 
The scholarship money is paid in three installments – one of $7,000 at the beginning, another of $7,000 half-way through the period, and the remainder upon delivery of a final report after completion of work. A brief mid-term report is required before payment of the second instalment.
 
Note: Researchers who applied unsuccessfully for previous Welch Scholarships may apply again. Applications for renewal of the Scholarship are not accepted.
 
The application form and supporting documents shall be filled out online or sent by 15 September to the Chair of the IUVSTA Welch Award Committee:
Dr. Anton P.J. Stampfl
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Address: New Illawarra Rd, Lucas Heights NSW 2234
Postal address: Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC NSW 2232
Australia
https://iuvsta.org
Email: welchaward@iuvsta.org
 
Each candidate’s application MUST include ALL of the following:
 
- A completed application form, available at Welch Scholarship Application.
- Name and address of laboratory chosen; a 200-word abstract describing the research he/she proposes to perform; and a letter indicating that the facilities of the host laboratory will be available. Intended duration and dates of the research stay.
- A curriculum vitae.
- A photocopy of, or attestation of, all diplomas.
- A declaration that the candidate will not violate any laws of his/her own country during his/her tenure of scholarship.
- A declaration the that candidate will not violate any laws or engage in any political activity in the country where he/she intends to work.
- Two recommendations from present or past professors or research directors.
 
Applications submitted without ALL of the above cannot be considered.
 
Candidates will be informed of the results of their applications as soon as possible but probably by the end of September.
 
The successful candidate must produce satisfactory evidence (prefereably in the form of examination certificates, etc.) of reasonable fluency either in the language of the country where he/she will work during the tenure of his/her scholarship or in English.
 
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