OHBM SP-SIG Fellowship Program

About

The OHBM Student Postdoc Special Interest Group (OHBM SP-SIG) launched its Fellowship programme in 2022 with the aim to provide tailored support to individuals from underrepresented and marginalised communities. This initiative was launched in close collaboration with the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (DIC).
Applications for the Fellowship programme are open during the regular cycle of the OHBM SP-SIG Mentoring Programme. The application should include an additional 500-word statement on how the Fellowship Program can potentially impact their careers at the end of the application form. Note: An example statement is provided in the form to limit bias in the selection process due to differences in writing experience.

2025 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkABB78iZupHyLsKI2ShTol3bL5dA6l-5phJDE0BgKMFzbeQ/viewform

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in a PhD programme (or the MPhil year of a PhD programme).

  • No specific demographic will be ruled in or ruled out. However, this programme has an emphasis on applicants from i) underrepresented groups, and ii) low or middle income countries (e.g., “global south”), or low or middle income backgrounds. As such, each applicant will be considered on an individual case-by-case basis to determine the fit for this programme.

Benefits

The fellows will have the following benefits:

  • The full benefits of mentees in the Mentoring Program.

  • An online platform (e.g., Whatsapp group) to interact with other Fellows and the Career Development and Mentoring Managers of the SP-SIG.

  • Additional monthly peer-mentoring sessions.

  • SP-SIG highlights on their profile, their achievements, and their stories on various social media platforms and blogs of the SP-SIG.

  • Gratis registration and travel award* to attend the OHBM Annual Meeting.

  • Automatic spot to the Lunch with Mentors event organised by the SP-SIG at the OHBM Annual Meeting.

* awarded by the DIC, contingent on approval of the Council and budget requirements.

Selection Process

  • Applications will first be screened by the Career Development & Mentoring Managers for eligibility (i.e., must be a PhD candidate).

  • The 500-word statements will then undergo blind review by a selection subcommittee comprising the SP SIG Chair, SP SIG Career Development & Mentoring Managers, and a member of the DIC. This blind review will consist of the 500-word statement. Members of this committee will subsequently meet to share their rankings and decide who is admitted to the Fellowship programme.

Application Timeline

  • October: Applications for both the mentoring programme and fellowship programme closes. For 2023, this date was 30/10/2023.

  • November: each applicants’ statements will be distributed with the selection subcommittee and a meeting scheduled to determine the fellows.

  • December: letter of notification and acceptance will be sent to 5 selected fellows, all other unsuccessful applicants will also be notified.

Past OHBM SP SIG Fellows

2023- 2024

Adnan Rashid

Alejandra Pajon

Julia Ditzer

Sapna Sudisht Mishra 

Vinsea A V Singh

2022 - 2023

Carolyn Amir

Akanksha Gupta 

Arshiya Sangchooli

Xiyue Zhang

Lan Zhou