By Timo Minssen
I have just been informed that a new call for proposals for the 2016 Brocher Foundation residencies has been launched. I can warmly recommend this splendid opportunity to any researcher or group of researchers in the fields of Bioethics, Medical Anthropology, Health Economics, Health Policy, Health Law, Philosophy of Medicine and Health, Medical Humanities, Social Science Perspectives on Health, Medical Ethics, or History of Medicine.
A grant by the Brocher Foundation enables international researchers to carry out their projects for a 1-4 month period at one of the most beautiful places in Europe. The Brocher Foundation’s seat is located in Switzerland at the shores of the beautiful Lake Geneva. The location is very close to the French border and to international organisations particularly relevant to the health sector, such as WHO, WTO, WIPO, UNHCR, ILO, WMA, ICRC, and others.
The following information has been extracted from the webpage of the Brocher Foundation:
The Brocher Residencies
The Brocher Foundation offers visiting researchers the opportunity to come at the Brocher Centre in a peaceful park on the shores of Lake Geneva, to write a book, articles, an essay or a PhD thesis. The visiting positions are an occasion to meet other researchers from different disciplines and countries as well as experts from numerous International Organizations & Non Governmental Organizations based in Geneva.
The Brocher Foundation residencies last between 1 and 4 months. They give researchers (PhD students to Professors) the opportunity to work at the Brocher Centre on projects on the ethical, legal and social implications for humankind of recent medical research and new technologies. Researchers can also apply with one or two other researchers to work on a collaborative project.
The Brocher Foundation offers to successful applicants a workplace and an accommodation in its premises. Breakfast and dinner are also provided every day.
“Junior” visiting researchers can apply for an additional scholarship in order to cover their travel and local expenses in Geneva. To be eligible to this “Additional scholarship for Junior researchers”, the applicant should be a PhD student or should have obtained his PhD degree within a maximum of five years and should not perceive any other income during the time spent at the Foundation.
Developing a research project involving cooperation with a Swiss university, a European university, a non-governmental organization or an international organization will be considered an advantage. Applications from low and middle income countries are highly encouraged.
Topics for the Year 2016
Ethical, legal, and social implications of recent medical research and new medical technologies among the following disciplines:
Bioethics; Medical Anthropology; Health Economics; Health Policy; Health Law; Philosophy of Medicine and Health; Medical Humanities; Social Science Perspectives on Health; Medical Ethics; History of Medicine
Proposals of the following topics are notably welcomed:
Equitable access to medical care; biobanks; biosecurity and dual use dilemmas; clinical trials and research on human subjects; genetic testing and screening; health care reform; nanotechnology; neglected diseases; pandemic planning; reproductive technology; stem cells and cell therapy; organ transplantation; telemedicine; neurosciences; synthetic biology
The deadline for submission is the first of March 2015 (at midnight GMT). The terms and conditions for applying are available here.
