Research Exchanges

OSyM facilitates the training of the next generation of organismal biologists through short-term research exchanges. OSyM awards travel funds for young scientists who wish to incorporate systems-level engineering or mathematical approaches in organismal biology research.

Travel Grants

OSyM awards up to $5000 in travel funds on a competitive basis to young scientists (students, post-docs, and early to mid-career faculty) interested in building collaborations, learning new techniques or applying new methods of analysis (e.g., modeling) to their current research. Awardees are required to submit a report following the completion of the exchange.

How to Apply for Travel Grants

Applications for research exchanges must include the following:

  • Recent CV
  • Two-page proposal
  • Letter of support from director of hosting lab
  • Letter of support from current supervisor (for students and postdoctoral fellows only)
  • Project Budget

Proposals will be evaluated on scientific merit, ability to establish new collaborations among scientists and other researchers with diverse expertise (i.e., applied mathematicians, engineers, or physicists) who share an interest in solving new or ongoing problems in organismal biology.

Priority will be given to exchanges involving both organismal biology and a modeling, mathematical, or engineering systems-based approach, and to applicants from groups that are underrepresented in STEM fields.

Proposals should include a description of the exchange, rationale for the research, the timeline, feasibility of completing the proposed work, and a dissemination plan. References do not count toward the two-page limit.