Mobility grants boost academic careers

Maryline Andersen, Félix Naef, Andras Kis, to mention only a few, are Professors at EPFL and are among former doctoral students who have benefited from a fellowship for prospective researchers granted by the FNS. The objective of this grant program is to ensure that there is a new supply of graduate scientists, to encourage mobility, and to support women’s careers. “The number of grants is limited, while the number of doctoral students with the required level to aspire to these grants has largely increased”, observes Caroline Vandevyver, responsible for the preparation of the application forms. “This is the result of the strict selection of doctoral students performed by the Doctoral School. Only 15% of them applied in 2005, compared to 27% in 2010.” In a market which is becoming more and more competitive, doctoral students are increasingly aware of the value of doing research abroad. While not all of them become professors, many find interesting opportunities in universities, as well as in industry.

An FNS grant constitutes a first-rate opportunity, since it enables the doctoral student who has completed his/her thesis to continue his/her education in the university and the topic of his/her choice. The grant is awarded for a period of 18 months, and includes an allowance for personal expenses, an amount for travel expenses, and possibly also a contribution towards research and symposium costs. The amount granted depends on marital status, family-related responsibilities, and the cost of living in the country of residence. They are awarded independently of nationality, sex or family situation. Only the applicants’ competencies are taken into account. The researchers are thus able to devote their entire attention to their research work. The only condition for applying is to have obtained a doctoral degree at EPFL. “All those who received one of these grants said that it had been a springboard for their professional career”, adds Caroline Vandevyver.

EPFL and its teachers strongly encourage these research periods abroad. They constitute an almost inevitable step in a scientific career, are practically essential in becoming a professor, and a major asset in being selected for important positions. The likelihood of becoming a professor is greater for someone who has benefited from a grant. In a recent study, the EPFL Research Commission has observed that 17% of post-doctoral scholarship students began an academic career, but that only 23% of them came back to Switzerland to pursue it. We might therefore wonder: what is the benefit for a university such as EPFL to see its best people leave? This question of brain drain versus brain gain has been assessed in depth both at EPFL and the FNS, and the two institutions have reached the conclusion that the benefits of this type of sponsorship is extremely positive, and contributes to increasing the visibility of Switzerland internationally. FNS scholarship students are ambassadors for EPFL worldwide: they increase the institutions renown, and stimulate other researchers to come to study or work in Switzerland. Knowledge is on the move, is no longer limited to domestic borders, and enriches exchanges between researchers. It’s thus by emphasizing openness that institutions such as EPFL encourage scientific careers and guarantee that there is a continued supply of scientists.