Biowise Foundation – Promoting exchange and mobility of talented biomedical researchers

Promoting exchange and mobility
of talented biomedical researchers

Mission

The mission of the Biowise Foundation is to grant scholarships to students, doctoral (PhD) students, post-doctoral fellows, and researchers active in the field of biomedicine, in order to promote exchange and mobility between the following institutions:

University of Lausanne, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, CH
Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), CH
University of Basel, CH
University of Oxford, UK
Berlin University Alliance and the research institutions within BR50, via the Förderfonds Wissenschaft in Berlin, DE

The Biowise Foundation also funds professors aiming to initiate or enhance collaborations among these institutions. Moreover, proposals that foster connections between biomedical science and environmental aspects will also be eligible for funding.

The foundation actively promotes equal opportunities and gender inclusion through its comprehensive initiatives and program.

2026 Call

Key dates

Launch: early 2026
Submission deadline: May 30th 2026
Reviewing process: June 2026
Decision: August 2026
Funding starting date: September 1st – October 1st
Next call: early 2027

Categories of funding

Biowise provides funding to support three types of projects in the field of biomedical sciences:

Short visits for PhD students for research purposes: up to three visits lasting four weeks each (3 months total) within a single academic year.
Scholarships for PhD students – funding is available for a maximum period of 36 months.
Extended visits – Post-doctoral researchers and Professors (academic sabbatical), are permissible for a duration of up to 12 months within a three-year timeframe.

In each category, the beneficiary must have an affiliation or be employed by one of the academic Institutions listed in the mission statement.

While applications from all eligible candidates are warmly encouraged, priority will be given to early-career PhD students.

Application process

To apply for one of the Biowise funding schemes, applicants must submit a comprehensive application, including the following electronic documents, to the provided address: biowisefoundation@unil.ch.

One-page cover/motivation
Concise CV (maximum two pages in NIH format)
Detailed description of the research project (maximum four pages including references, Arial font 12pt)
Letter of support from the host institution, confirming the infrastructural support and commitment to the mentoring program during the requested period (applicable for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows)
Letter of endorsement from the applicant’s affiliated
Budget proposal outlining the requested funding (funding requested by their institution is also permissible).
Fill in the application form below (Application Form button)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Biowise Foundation at biowisefoundation@unil.ch.

Download Application Form (.doc)