Goal: To promote biological safety and security (BS&S) by increasing technical capacity for biological scientists in the Middle East and South Asia (MESA) region, and establishing a regional network for sustainable cooperation on laboratory diagnosis and BS&S standards.

Who should apply: Early to mid-career biological scientists working in government ministries, government-operated biological science laboratories, and/or research and diagnostic facilities in the following countries:
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Turkey
• Iraq
Applicants from universities and private laboratories will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Where to apply: All applications must be e-mailed to CBFP@crdfglobal.org.
Please visit http://www.crdfglobal.org/funding-opportunities/cooperative-biological-engagement-biosciences-fellowship-program-cbfp for additional information resources.

Program Details
On behalf of the Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP) of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the CBEP Biosciences Fellowship Program (CBFP) will award up to 14 fellowships to candidates from the four participating countries. Selected fellows will conduct a science exchange fellowship of up to six months in duration to engage in research at a host institution in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, or elsewhere, as appropriate. Funding for this fellowship program is provided by DTRA.
As described in the Application Checklist above, in addition to the completed application form, scanned copy of current passport, and current CV, applicants are required to submit an official letter of support, on official letterhead, signed and dated by their supervisor confirming their approval of the applicant’s participation in the program. The letter of support should clearly state: Applicant’s full name, applicant’s position title, institution name, and intended area of research for the program.
Individuals seeking acceptance into the program must:
• Submit a completed application and required supporting documents
• Demonstrate adequate proficiency in English (speaking, writing and reading) to communicate with peers in the host institutions
• Pass a medical exam and receive medical clearance
• Prove eligibility for the appropriate visa as determined by the host country
CBFP will make all necessary travel arrangements and accommodations (travel expenses, lodging, medical insurance and living stipends) for all selected fellows for the duration of the fellowship.
After a preliminary selection process identifies the best candidates, these individuals will undergo a host matching process and an official United States Government (USG) review of their candidacies. Final fellowship approval is contingent upon a successful match between a fellow and a host institution, as well as USG approval. The CBFP team has an extensive network of scientists, experts, laboratories and research facilities, and will match selected fellows’ research applications to a host research institution.
Applicants must currently reside in their country of permanent residence and will be required to return to their home country after program completion.
Timeline
• 3 November 2017: Call for applications opens
• 􀀃􀀃􀀃􀀃􀀕􀀗 December 2017: Call for applications closes 􀀋􀁘􀁓􀁇􀁄􀁗􀁈􀁇􀀌
• 1 March 2018: Preliminary fellow selection announcement
• June-August, 2018: Final fellowship approvals
Fellowships will not begin before September 2018.
The CBFP looks forward to receiving application submissions. Please circulate this announcement within your professional networks. For email inquiries, or to submit your application, contact: CBFP@crdfglobal.org.
Please visit http://www.crdfglobal.org/funding-opportunities/cooperative-biological-engagement-biosciences-fellowship-program-cbfp for additional application resources.
Fellows will be required to provide regular reports and updates during their fellowships and a final report upon completion of the program. Fellows should also be prepared to discuss their experiences and accomplishments with other fellows and to report back to program funders and relevant institutions on how they will apply or have started to apply their new skills after they return to their home countries.