International Volunteers Program

The French International Volunteers Program

Research Project
This program is intended to support the stay of a young French scientist in an Israeli laboratory, working on a research project. Grants supplied are co-financed by the French Embassy and the Israeli laboratory.

Among all the proposals, a selection will be made by the Scientific Mission of the French Embassy.

Conditions for eligibility
The International Volunteer Program welcomes young researchers. The applicants must be between 18 and 27 years old when subscribing to the CIVI, and no more than 28 years old when they begin their project at the Israeli University.

Qualified applicants for scientific positions must have achieved at least a degree in Engineering or an academic Master’s degree, and may apply in the frame of a PhD or a Post-Doc.

Duration
The project duration varies between 6 and up to 24 months, with 2.5 days off per month. Only one extension is possible for a total maximum duration of 24 months.

Salary
The volunteers receive a grant on a monthly basis, free of taxes. The grant is periodically determined by the French Government and is subject to change without notice. The value is approximately equal to 1744,34 Euro (July 2009), excluding social security expenses.

The Israeli Laboratory pays a part of the grant (up to 750 euros), i.e. less than half the allowance mentioned above. Social security expenses and the transportation expenses of the volunteer (and his/her luggage) from France will be covered by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The selection process
There are two possible ways to apply for this program:

• A young French scientist and a senior Israeli researcher who agree to work together on a research project under the conditions of the International Volunteer Program can submit a proposal directly to the Scientific Mission of the French Embassy (Mr Eric Seboun, Attaché for Science & Technology: science@ambfr-il.org
• A senior Israeli researcher can also send a proposal to welcome a French volunteer. He (she) can complete the enclosed application form and return it to the Scientific Mission. The proposal will then be forwarded to French Universities, along with the e-mail address of the Israeli scientist who will select the applicant. The Israeli scientist is responsible for the selection of the French applicant who will work in his (her) laboratory. Information concerning the significance of each diploma in the French education system and their Israeli equivalents is available from the Scientific Office of the French Embassy.

In parallel, the volunteer has to sent to the Scientific Mission a resume, a covering letter, a reference (different of the hosting professor) and the description of the project, in French.

After the selection process
After the selection process, the selected volunteer will have to contact the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ms. Ghislaine Schurmann)  to establish the final agreement with the French administration. This include establishing a new service passport. To do so, the selected volunteer will have to send several documents to France, such as copies of the French Identity and Vitale health insurance cards, passport pictures, bank account details, a medical certificate guaranteeing that the candidate is able to be an International Volunteer in Israel and that he is up to date in his vaccinations, and an extract of police record (here).

Relations with the Scientific Mission
The Israeli Laboratories participating in the selected projects will receive a contract form. The contract form indicates the month on which the project will begin, along with the duration and the amount of the reciprocal financial participation. The contract will be signed by the Attaché for Science & Technology, an administrative responsible of the hosting university, and the welcoming professor.

The volunteers do not enjoy diplomatic immunity, but must remain neutral on political and professional issues. Moreover, they must spend a fraction of their working time (approx. 2 hours per week) conducting activities on behalf of the Embassy of France, primarily with the intention of developing links between French and Israeli scientific communities, or preparing reports connected to their own scientific activities. The volunteer can also register for courses at the Israeli University, provided that all academic requirements are present.

Application form
The call for proposals 2009-2010 is now opened. Candidates (volonteers) can apply the whole year ; among the proposals, a selection based on criteria of excellence is made by the Office for Science and Technology of the French Embassy in Israel. Here you can download the application form for VI (exclusively for supervisor). This form will be sent to French Universities as a call for candidature.

For more information

• CIVI – International Civil Volunteers Information Center: http://www.civiweb.com and the FAQ (in French)
• The French Embassy’s Scientific Cooperation Programs:
  Tel: +972 (0)3 796 80 42
  E-mail: science@ambfr-il.org