Early-career scientists who intend to pursue a career in non-animal methods are invited to apply for an award for reimbursement of expenses for travel to and accommodation at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) Summer School on Non-Animal Approaches in Science.

This award, presented by ESTIV will help give an early-career scientist the opportunity to gain a better understanding of state-of-the-art non-animal testing strategies.

The summer school will take place in-person at the JRC in Ispra, Italy, from 19-23 May 2025. Attendees will explore new developments in the field of non-animal approaches through expert lectures and interactive sessions, and each attendee will present a poster.

Applications to the Science Consortium must be submitted between 20 February-6 March 2025. The winner will be announced in March 2025.

Click here for more details about the programme.

The Award

• ESTIV Award committee will choose the winner based on each eligible applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV), motivation letter, and the scientific merits of the poster abstract.
• ESTIV will reimburse the winner’s expenses for travel to and from and accommodation at the summer school up to 500 Euro. See details below.

Eligibility

• The award is open to early-career scientists who have been accepted into the JRC Summer School programme and intend to pursue a career in non-animal methods. The JRC is accepting applications from early-career scientists active in fields related to toxicology, biomedical research, alternative methods, exposure science, or risk assessment.
• Early-career scientists are defined as the following: (1) students working towards their master’s or PhD who have completed at least their second year of study by the event date of 19 May 2025, (2) postdoctoral fellows, or (3) researchers who completed a master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral programme less than four years ago.
• The award is open to residents of any country. Must be 18 or older and preferably an ESTIV member.
• In the event the summer school is cancelled or held virtually, the award will be cancelled or modified.

Award Recipient Requirements

The recipient must adhere to the following requirements:

• Attend all five days of the JRC Summer School in person. If the summer school is held online, the winner will be announced on the ESTIV website.
• Present a poster at the JRC Summer School.
• Provide a headshot within one week of receiving notification from the Science Consortium that they have been selected for the award. The photo will be used on ESTIV websites as well as on social media platforms.
• Register for the summer school and book their own travel and hotel accommodation to attend the training in Ispra, Italy. ESTIV will reimburse the winner’s expense for accommodation  and economy-seating airfare or train (up to € 500 via bank transfer upon sending the receipts to ESTIV treasurer bu June 25, 2025). Environmentally sustainable modes of travel are encouraged. ESTIV  will reimburse the winner within one month of receiving and approving their receipts.
• Assume responsibility for all other expenses not noted above, including but not limited to meals, beverages, gratuities, optional excursions, rental car fees, personal expenses, travel insurance, and other incidentals.
• Obtain and pay for any documents required to travel, including a passport if travelling internationally. There will be no reimbursement for travel expenses if documents related to travel are not received in time.
• Submit a brief summary (500 words or fewer) of key learning experiences within three weeks of attending the summer school.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents during the submission period of 20 February-6 March 2025 via e-mail secretariat@estiv.org:

• Documents submitted to and accepted by the JRC:
  • Your CV
  • A motivation letter
  • A poster abstract of up to 250 words
• Confirmation that the JRC has accepted your participation in the summer school