GIRACT - Geneva, Switzerland

Purpose

To promote innovative flavor research amongst PhD students across European universities and research institutes. PhD students enrolled in universities and research institutes in 32 European countries (European Union, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey and Russia) are eligible to apply.

Click here to download the Roadmap.

The project targets two different groups of PhD students:

• Group 1:  students who are about to complete their PhD and hence will soon be examining opportunities for employment
• Group 2:  students who are about to commence their PhD studies

This is translated into the following sub-objectives:

• Publicise the attractions of flavor research so as to pull high calibre students into appropriate PhD courses and then into industry
• For Group 1:
• Solicit and evaluate innovative flavor research projects amongst these students
• Provide the Annual Savory Flavor & Food Industry Conference, held in Geneva in the spring of each year, as a platform for the winning student to present his/her work to 'potential employers'
• Download full details and application form for the Best Thesis Award here (PDF)
• Download full details and application form for the Best Thesis Award here (MS Word)
• For Group 2:
• Award bursaries to 6 selected students who are planning to commence their PhD studies in flavor science during the 2021/2022 academic year
• Enable the 6 winning 1st year PhD students the opportunity of visiting the laboratory of certain sponsor companies during the second year of their PhD studies, by using a part of their winning bursary amount for their travel and stay. This will enable them to obtain a first-hand view of an industry R&D centre
• Download full details and application form for 1st year Bursary Awards here (PDF)
• Download full details and application form for 1st year Bursary Awards here (MS Word)

FAQ

I have obtained a master degree from a non-European University. Am I eligible for the European flavor research programme?

I am a master degree graduate of non-European nationality. Am I eligible for the European flavor research programme?

You are eligible provided you are:

• enrolled as a PhD student in a European University/Institute (32 European countries including European Union, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey and Russia)
• a PhD student planning your research in areas relevant to flavor science, technology, processing, chemistry, etc. in a European University/Institute

My research thesis is not in English. Can I submit my thesis for adjudication?

If the research thesis is not written in English, you may write a 10 page summary of the research in English to append to your foreign language thesis for adjudication.

What are the eligibility criteria for application in the Group 1 (best final thesis) category?

You must be a final year PhD student enrolled in any European University and your research topic must be related to 'Flavor'.

You should not be already sponsored by a commercial organization and/or not be bound to it. The winning candidate must be able to present all his/her research to programme sponsors, including patented work.

You must be able to submit your application by 31st October 2021 and the final thesis for judging by 15th December 2021.

Eligibility and application details can be found at: Click here to download application for Group 1.

What are the eligibility criteria for application in the Group 2 (first year PhD studies) category?

You must have completed a master's degree AND enrolled for PhD degree in any European University before 31st October 2021.

You should not be already sponsored by a commercial organization and/or not be bound to it.

You must have a project summary with clear methodologies.

Your research must be relevant to 'Flavor'.

Eligibility and application details can be found at: Click here to download application for Group 2.

How do I submit the application?

Applications must be submitted electronically along with required documents to phdapplications@giract.com by 31st October 2021.

All documents should be countersigned by the Professor concerned.

Evidence of enrolment in the academic year 2021/2022 at the university/ institute should accompany the documents.

Group 1 - Best final thesis: The electronic copy of the thesis must be countersigned by the Professor, and sent by 15th December 2021.

When is the last date to submit the applications?

Last date to send in your application is 31st October 2021.

In addition, Group 1 (final year) PhD students must submit their completed thesis by 15th December 2021 for adjudication.

If I apply this year and am not selected this time, will I be allowed to apply next year?

No, the programme addresses first and final year PhD students. Application thus depends on PhD enrolment and thesis submission dates.