Help Desk:
e-mail address [javascript protected email address]
telephone +34 91 453 1276

Frequently Asked Questions

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Can I apply if I have not submitted my PhD thesis and I am not an MD?
No; this call is for Young Group Leaders. You must hold a PhD or MD at the time of application.

2. Can I apply if I do not have 3 years’ postdoctoral training?
You can apply as long as you have the minimum necessary experience by 28 June 2011.

3. Is there an age limit for eligibility?
There is no age limit.

4. I have 15 years’ postdoctoral training. Am I eligible to apply?
You are welcome to apply; there is no maximum limit of experience specified.

5. Are non-European candidates eligible to apply to CNIC-IFF?
There are no nationality restrictions for CNIC-IFF, but candidates must satisfy the following mobility criterion: “Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain for more than twelve months in the three years immediately preceding the deadline for submission of proposals”. Short stays such as holidays will not be taken into account.

6. I work already at the CNIC, can I apply for CNIC-IFF?
You can as long as you satisfy the mobility criterion.

7. Will you take into account a career break due to maternity leave?
Yes; documented career breaks (e.g. maternity leave, paternity leave, leave of absence to take care of children or relatives, etc.) will be taken into account. Please indicate any career breaks in the application.

8. Can I apply to more than one of the CNIC’s departments?
Yes you can apply to as many departments in the CNIC as you choose.

9. Can I apply if I do not fulfil one of the eligibility criteria?
You must satisfy ALL the eligibility criteria; if you do not, your application will be declared ineligible and will not be evaluated.

SUBMISSION

10. How do I submit my application? Applications for CNIC-IFF are accepted exclusively online through the online application system, which is available on the CNIC Website. You will be required to submit you CV with the application form. You will only be able to submit the application once all mandatory fields, including uploaded CV, have been completed.

11. I have completed the on-line application and uploaded my CV, what do I do now?
Completing the on-line application form and uploading your CV does not yet mean that your proposal is submitted. Once there is a consolidated version of the proposal you must press the button “SUBMIT NOW”.

12. I have submitted my application but would like to correct it.
You should submit a new application. Only one proposal per applicant will enter the evaluation. Errors discovered in proposals submitted on-line can be rectified by simply submitting a corrected version. So long as the call has not yet closed, the system will select the latest submitted proposal for entry into the evaluation process.

13. I want to apply to two CNIC departments, do I have to submit two applications?
No; you apply to one or more CNIC departments within one application.

14. After submitting my application I have received an acknowledgement of receipt that includes a reference number. What is this for?
This reference number should be included in any further correspondence.

15. Do I have to write a Research Project Proposal?
Only candidates preselected during the First Stage Evaluation will be asked to write and present a project proposal. You will be contacted and asked to do so if you have been preselected.

16. What sections should my Research Project Proposal include?
The sections that the project proposal should include are as follows:

Title
Abstract
Objectives
Methodology
Ethical issues table
Career Development Plan for the fellow

17. Where can I find the Ethical Issues table?
A template and instructions for preparing the project proposal, including the “Ethical issues table”, can be found on the CNIC website (www.cnic.es)

18. How do I send my Research Project Proposal?
The proposal form must be sent by e-mail to the following address: [javascript protected email address], indicating the reference number in the "Subject" box. The proposal form must also be sent by post, with the corresponding signatures (applicant and assigned Department Director), to the following address:

CNIC International Incoming Fellowships for Young Group Leaders
Science Management Department
Fundación Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III
Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3
28029 Madrid – Spain

SELECTION PROCESS

19. What are the evaluation criteria for the applications?
The selection of fellows will occur in two steps (pre-selection and evaluation) and will be based on merit and founded on international peer review. The evaluation criteria are detailed in the Guide for Applicants that can be downloaded from the CNIC website.

20. Does the selection process involve an interview?
Preselected candidates might be invited to attend an interview. Should you be invited, your travel and accommodation costs will be covered by CNIC-IFF.

21. When will I know if my application has been preselected?
Preselected and non preselected candidates will be notified in early October 2011.

22. I have been preselected, when will I know if I have been selected?
Preselected candidates will be notified whether their candidature has been finally selected or not by the end of December 2011.

23. When will I know what category of fellowship I am being evaluated for?
You will be evaluated for both categories of fellowship (Starting and Advanced). Successful candidates will be informed about the category of fellowship they are being offered when they are notified about the selection outcome.

24. If my application is successful, when will the fellowship start?
Selected candidates will be expected to start their fellowships within two months of acceptance.