Following our mission to build biotechnology capacities within the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, we aim to help prepare and capacitate professionals through high-level training courses. These activities are to be co-funded by UNU-BIOLAC throughout the LAC countries and carried out by highly qualified academics and researchers in the diverse fields of biotechnology. Applications for 2026 are open until May 30th, 2025.
Overview
Applications are sought from biotechnology researchers who combine the highest level of research excellence with a demonstrated passion for delivering social impact from biotechnology. The role our academic collaborators will play is essential for the UNU-BIOLAC mission. Our goal is to empower and support qualified professionals in implementing live academic activities all over the region and to incorporate them as allies of UNU-BIOLAC, the United Nations University, and the United Nations.
Expectations
Applicants must be active researchers committed to sharing their expertise by organizing training courses on biotechnology sensu stricto.
Selected training courses must rely on worldwide experts and participants who represent the LAC region equally. At the end of the activity, each grantee must deliver a final report with all academic/training results (see below) and include a financial statement of all expenses incurred. The final report will be subjected to evaluation by UNU-BIOLAC. The emphasis in all cases is the capacitation of the selected participants in biotechnology as a source of solutions and the attainment of the UN SDGs.
Expected training course outputs may include, among others, research papers, poster presentations, policy recommendations, and technical manuals. Creating graphic material for the promotion of enrollment is considered a mandatory requirement. The final report must include photos of the course development, and video testimonials from participants are encouraged. These outputs will benefit the course participants and a wider audience through their dissemination through our social channels if the quality of the product allows.
Each grantee will receive UNU-BIOLAC funds, according to the complexity of the proposed activity, to cover students’ travel tickets, lodging, living expenses, partial and complete scholarships, reagents, or any other materials needed to implement them.
Important: UNU-BIOLAC will privilege funds mainly oriented towards the students’ mobilization and housing and exhorts organizers not to charge them course registration fees. UNU-BIOLAC will not consider proposals with no counterpart funds.
This call is open to researchers/academics from Latin America and the Caribbean engaged in active research or pursuit of new research opportunities in, but not limited to, high-throughput and deep sequencing of genomes, metagenomic analysis and the discovery, characterization and/or expression of new genes and biological functions in homologous or heterologous systems, creation and use of new biomaterials, engineering of genes, genomes, tissues and organs, whole organisms or even complete communities, drug discovery, vaccine development, omics technologies, fight against diseases in plants and animals (including humans), etc.
For 2025, UNU-BIOLAC encourages scientists to delve into (1) the use of biotechnology to solve scientific problems and 2) the generation of biotechnological solutions/products derived from primary or applied science.
Impact
UNU-BIOLAC is committed to harnessing biotechnology for social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Therefore, selected applicants and participants are expected to promote the impact of their research and formative activities to a broad audience, engage in policy debate, and foster international and interdisciplinary biotechnological research.
Deadline
Applications will be accepted from April 1st to May 30th, 2025.
Application Process
Complete your registration using the registration form. After registration, you will be instructed by the system on how to submit your academic proposal. You can see an example of the registration form in the FAQ section of this post.
Project submission:
The first stage of the application is a pre-selection of proposals. Please be ready to submit the following documentation upon registration:
Cover letter (please include a short explanation of the biotechnological nature of your proposal).
Academic Resume/CV of the applicant (if there are more than one course coordinators, all CV's must be submitted)
Completed Course Application Form
Evaluation of proposals and final selection:
Pre selected proposals will move on to the evaluation stage for final selection. Applications will be reviewed by three international evaluators and the UNU-BIOLAC Programme’s Head. If pre-selected, you will be required to submit the administrative information. We encourage you to gather it in advance for timely completion of the following documents:
- Institutional Vendor Form (of the institution that will receive and manage the funds)
- Institutional TAX ID
The final decision is expected to be announced the following month after the close of this call. The volume of applications received may alter this expected timeframe.
Recommendations
Please be informed that incomplete applications will be automatically rejected. Hence, applicants must be careful when sending all the requirements listed above.
Contact the Programme only to request specific clarifications. The rules will not change to meet individual demands, nor will third parties be invited or allowed to influence the outcome of the selection process. Requests regarding the application process can be addressed to applications.biolac@unu.edu. All other inquiries should be adressed to info.biolac@unu.edu
All documents are required to be submitted in English.
Disclaimer
UNU-BIOLAC is an equal-opportunity institution. No applicant for our academic or research activities shall be discriminated against in any term or condition because of gender, race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, or sexual orientation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can short courses be organized and held?
Courses funded by UNU-BIOLAC can only be carried out at institutes, universities, and academic research organizations in the Latin American and Caribbean regions.
When is the course application period?
There are two ordinary calls per year: March and September. All applications will be made a year in advance.
- What can I do to be ready for an Open Call?
Read our recommendations for a successful application.
- What questions will I have to answer in the registration form?
You can see an example of a filled registration form following this link.
What is the maximum amount of funding for an academic activity sponsored by UNU-BIOLAC?
The maximum funding for an academic activity sponsored by UNU-BIOLAC is USD 20,000. UNU-BIOLAC only finances courses with counterpart funds.
Can UNU-BIOLAC select participants for the courses?
Course coordinators select speakers, students, and scholarship awardees. Biolac exerts no influence on this selection.
Who manages scholarships for international students/participants?
The host institution and coordinator manage scholarships for international students/participants.
Should the proposed budget for activities include line items for airline tickets, lodging, etc., for international participants?
Yes. The budget can have a line item for all airline tickets and lodging for international participants.
Is it possible to bring collaborators from other regions?
Yes. Participation of collaborators from abroad is highly encouraged.
Can courses and activities be taught/held in English?
Courses and activities are highly encouraged to be taught/held in English.
What is a vendor form?
This UNU administrative form provides the host institution's banking information. You must fill out all of the document’s sections and ensure that the document is officially signed and stamped by the host institution´s finance department.
Is UNU-BIOLAC a government-affiliated organization?
BIOLAC is a regional, autonomous program adscribed to the United Nations University and, as such, is not affiliated with any government.
