Empowering young AI researchers

The ELSA Mobility Fund supports European collaboration, enriches research experiences, and promotes diversity. By fostering connections, providing financial assistance, and enabling knowledge sharing, we shape a future of safe and secure AI innovation.
ELSA supports the collaboration in the ELSA/ELLIS networks, enabling young researchers to work with top researchers at other institutions within the partner network. The PhD and early career Postdoc Mobility program is aimed at PhD students and postdocs in the network who want to initiate a collaboration with a Fellow or Member at another site. The Travel Grant covers travel costs of up to 3,000 EUR per head over the duration of their PhD or postdoc.

Rules
Duration of the visit Unlimited within September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2025
Eligible applicants Applicants must fulfill two out of three conditions:

  • All European AI PhDs/postdocs. Before submission, please check whether your sending institution is located in the EU or an EU associated country (see list).
  • The exchange is supported by at least one advisor in the ELSA network (either sending or hosting institution). Both advisors must be ELLIS Members while one of them must be an ELLIS Fellow/Scholar (http://ellis.eu/fellows) or Unit Faculty (http://ellis.eu/units)
  • You are travelling to an ELSA/ELLIS event or workshop.

Award 3,000 EUR per PhD/postdoc (if reimbursed by the central ELSA Mobility Administration at CISP A Helmholtz Center for Information Security)
Number of visits The upper reimbursement limit per applicant is 3,000 EUR in total (not per visit). If the reimbursement of the first visit does not exceed 3,000 EUR, the applicant can reapply until the total limit is reached.
Refundable costs Travel costs; accommodation under specific conditions.
Please note: As of 2022 air travel is restricted due to climate concerns and needs to be justified. We strongly encourage train travel.
All expenses need to be declared as actual costs, documented by original invoices, receipts and tickets (in the case of online bookings, the printout of the electronic reservation), and need to be in line with the Beneficiary's/Partner's usual practices. In case of PhDs/postdocs from outside of the ELSA Network, CISPA's travel practices stated in this document apply as well as the Horizon Europe rules.
Application / Reimbursement Steps

Step One:
To apply for a mobility grant, submit the application form to the central administration (elsa-travel@cispa.de). Submission deadline: Applications are possible year-round, but should be submitted no later than 1 month before the starting date of the visit, as they need to be reviewed and processed by the ELSA and university administration.

Step Two:
Immediately after the visit (no later than 20 days after the last day of the visit), the researcher must complete the request for reimbursement(part 2) and send scans of the signed original of this document and of the original receipts to CISPA at elsa-travel@cispa.de.