Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) MD Fellowships
Scholarship Amount
About This Scholarship
The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) MD Fellowships present a distinguished opportunity for medical students in Germany to immerse themselves in basic biomedical research. This program is specifically designed to support students eager to pursue a research project in an internationally leading laboratory, requiring them to relocate from their home institution and city for a minimum of ten consecutive months. It aims to foster scientific excellence and provide comprehensive support to aspiring medical researchers.
Selected candidates are eligible for significant benefits. They receive a monthly stipend, which varies based on the research location:
• 1,560 euros in Germany
• 1,885 euros in the UK
• 2,470 euros in the USA
In addition to the stipend, fellows are also provided with travel allowances. These allowances cover expenses for presenting their data at international scientific conferences, participating in method courses, and conducting research in cooperating laboratories. To further support fellows with family responsibilities, the program offers a child care allowance of up to 500 euros and a spouse allowance of 200 euros.
The application window for this fellowship is open all year round, offering flexibility for students to align their research plans with the application timeline.
The selection process is rigorous, involving a peer-review by BIF's Board of Trustees, which consists of six internationally renowned scientists. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, the scientific quality of the proposed research project, and the reputation of the host laboratory. The selection process typically takes between 3 to 4 months.
For further inquiries, the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds can be contacted directly at their foundation for Basic Research in Medicine, located at Schusterstr. 46-48, 55116 Mainz, Germany. Inquiries can also be sent via email to secretariat@bifonds.de or made by phone at +49 (0)6131 2750 80.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) MD Fellowship, an applicant must fulfill the following criteria:
• Be currently studying human medicine in Germany.
• Maintain a good academic record.
• Be prepared to put their medical studies on hold and relocate for the duration of their research and work, which must be for at least 10 consecutive months.
• Submit their application within eight years of obtaining their university entrance qualification.
Required Documents
Applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of their fellowship application:
• A comprehensive letter of motivation outlining their research interests and objectives.
• Certificates for the first section of the medical examination or an equivalent qualifying examination.
• Certificate of University Entrance qualification.
• A letter of recommendation from a scientific supervisor at the prospective host institution, endorsing the applicant's research capabilities and project.
• A letter of recommendation from a supervisor at the applicant's home university, providing insight into their academic performance and potential.
• An official certificate from the office of matriculation or the Dean of the concerned faculty at the home institution, confirming the interruption of studies and clinical activities for the entire duration of the fellowship.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates can apply for the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) MD Fellowship by following these detailed steps:
• Applicants must personally write their application and meticulously gather all specified details and required documents.
• The entire application package, including all supporting documents, must be compiled into a single password-protected PDF file.
• This comprehensive PDF file should then be sent directly to the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds secretariat via email.
• The application must be submitted at least 3 months prior to the planned commencement date of the research project in the host laboratory at a new location.
• It is strongly recommended to visit the official website of the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (bifonds.de) for the most current and detailed application guidelines, forms, and specific submission requirements before preparing and submitting the application.