Becoming a member

The UBIAS network is an inclusive community. It welcomes applications from University-based Institutes of Advanced Studies worldwide. 

The Institutes for Advanced Study seeking to join the UBIAS network must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Be affiliated with an internationally respected, research active university.

  2. Offer a substantial competitive fellowship programme that provides scholarships to experienced researchers.

  3. Fulfill a function for the university not restricted to a particular discipline or affiliated with any single department or faculty.

  4. Support programmes that foster collegiality and innovation through interdisciplinarity.

Becoming a member
Eligibility rules
Commitment to recruiting fellows on individual excellence

The selection procedures follow international standards (open call for applications, independent peer review, international and multidisciplinary scientific selection Committee).

Building international and multidisciplinary learning communities

IAS promote blue-sky research even though they might have temporary or permanent scientific priorities. They are open to all sciences. They provide conditions and facilities to foster interdisciplinary dialogue.

Size

A minimum annual volume of fellowship/months is necessary to create a diverse, international and multidisciplinary learning community. IAS most often offer one-year fellowships but 3/5 month-fellowships as well as 2-year fellowships (for early career scholars) are also common.

Scientific independence

IAS do have the autonomy to pursue its scientific ambition, the control over the invitation of fellows and the possibility to organise the interaction between the fellows during the academic year. It is recognised in the statutes of the IAS.​

Financial sustainability

IAS benefit from a long-term financial support from its main institutional and scientific partners that is translated into adequate pluriannual financial support. ​

How to apply
5-Step Application Procedure

Step 1: Information
Applications should be sent before January 30th of each year in order to be discussed at the UBIAS business meeting in the autumn.

Step 2: Pre-screening
The UBIAS Coordination Council pre-screens applications to check they fulfill all eligibility criteria and to assess if additional documents are needed.

Step 3: Interview
Based on a positive pre-assessment, two UBIAS members are asked to interview the applying institute and to report to the UBIAS Coordination Council. 

Step 4: Invitation
If the two UBIAS members provide a positive assessment, a representative of the applying Institute is invited to present in videoconferencing the application of the Institute to the UBIAS Assembly in the autumn. 

Step 5: Assessment
Two UBIAS members will lead the discussion and a simple majority vote will be cast on membership. The outcome of the vote can be: accepted, rejected, postponed (pending further information).

Information Requested from Applying IAS

A detailed note will have to be transmitted to the UBIAS Coordination Council with the following information.  

1. Administration

  • Legal status and overall institutional background information (history, connection to local/national research entities, etc.)
  • Direction (leadership, board of trustees, scientific advisory board, staff composition)
  • Conditions offered to fellows (monthly stipend, accommodation, related services)
  • Facilities (location, description)
  • Budget (distinguish fellowships, staff, other direct costs, other indirect costs)
  • Breakdown of financial resources (name the most important partners)

2. Scientific Policy

  • Description of the IAS scientific ambition and priorities.
  • Description of fellows’ interaction to spur collegiality and interdisciplinarity.
  • Key facts and numbers:
    • Number of applications received per year
    • Number of invited fellows
    • Geographic origins (in %)
    • International vs. national fellows. Permanent fellows? Fellows from your home institution?
    • Junior (up to 10 years after Ph.D) vs. Senior fellows
    • Individual fellowships vs. groups invitations

3. Scientific Selection

  • Description of call for applications (open calls? flagged fellowships? geographic priorities? etc.)
  • Description of the selection process (criteria, evaluation, final decision). 

4. Statement from Applicant

  • Motivation of why the institute is applying for  membership
  • Documentation that the applying IAS meets each of the membership criteria