Localização: Champalimaud Centre for The Unknown
Entidade Empregadora: Champalimaud Foundation
Posição: Unidades de Suporte à Investigação
Início da Candidatura: 12 Maio. 2026
Inaugural Call for Applications – 2026
A first-of-its-kind, fully-funded, 12-month immersive fellowship to identify, train and retain the next generation of Strategic Research Development talent.
Cohort
Up to 2 fellows
Duration
12 months, paid, immersive
Eligibility
PhD-level or equivalent; any discipline relevant to CF
Conversion
1 SRD position upon successful evaluation
About the SRD Academy
Celebrating ten years of Strategic Research Development at the Champalimaud Foundation (CF), the SRD Academy is launched as the new entry point to the SRD Team. It is a fully-funded, fully-immersive 12-month advanced fellowship designed to bring exceptional PhD-level talent into the practice of Strategic Research Development at one of Europe's leading private non-profit research institutions.
Up to two fellows will be selected in this inaugural call. Upon successful completion of the programme, one fellow will be offered the opportunity to integrate the SRD Team at CF as Research Funding Manager. Fellows who are not absorbed by the SRD Team conclude the programme as SRD Academy alumni and the team will assist in identifying suitable future opportunities.
From day one of the Academy, fellows are expected to hit the ground running as Junior Research Funding Managers in the making. This means playing a hands-on and dynamic role at the heart of research strategy: scouting and disseminating funding opportunities, actively supporting researchers throughout the full grant life cycle — from proposal preparation and budget costing to compliance and award setup — and serving as a trusted point of contact between the research community and funding entities. Fellows are also expected to contribute to the continuous evolution of the team itself, engaging at the interface of research, technology, and institutional support. The Academy is not an internship or an observation exercise — it is a real immersion into the profession, from the very first day.
What we offer
- A fully-funded fellowship for 12 months.
- Immersive, hands-on, in person training across the full Strategic Research Development cycle – pre-award, partnerships, intrapreneurship, evidence-based decision-making, philanthropy, team-work and leadership.
- Direct mentorship from the CF SRD Team and structured exposure to the wider CF community, with rotating ownership of active grants and partnerships.
- A clear conversion path: upon successful completion, one fellow is offered the possibility of integrating the SRD Team as Junior Research Funding Manager.
- Membership of the SRD Academy alumni network, with proven placements in academia, industry and the broader research ecosystem.
- On-site facilities and amenities including free access to the in-house gym, health insurance and Portuguese classes.
Programme outline
Roadmap mapped also to the EC Research Manager Competences (RM Comp) framework, with hands-on implementation from day one and a dedicated mentor throughout.
Module A. Foundations
RM Comp orientation; CF strategy and ethics; SRD playbook; funding opportunities identification and dissemination; observation across active grants and partnerships, with assigned mentor and team support from the outset.
Module B. Pre-award & Funding Landscape
Horizon Europe; National Funds, transatlantic foundations; philanthropy; proposal architecture; budget design.
Module C. Partnerships & Impact
Consortia coordination; international partnerships; IP basics; impact frameworks, in articulation with other CF teams as appropriate.
Module D. Independence & Specialisation
Fellow owns a dossier end-to-end with mentor sign-off; specialisation track envisioned with the Head of SRD; conversion review including a Career Development Path co-designed with mentor and evaluator.
Who we are looking for
- PhD holder (or equivalent research experience) in any discipline relevant to CF's mission — prior experience in research management is not required
- Excellent analytical reasoning and outstanding written communication (English and Portuguese)
- International orientation and demonstrated curiosity, with a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude and a strong sense of follow-through
- Values fit with CF's mission-driven, evidence-based culture: true team spirit, proactive ownership, intellectual honesty
How to apply
Applications must be submitted in English by 23:59 (UTC+1) on 25 May 2026, through the dedicated form, with the call reference CF SRD Academy 2026.
Required documents. One single pdf document with:
1. Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages).
2. PhD certificate or equivalent proof of doctoral status (a defence date letter is acceptable for candidates pending viva). Alternatively, a one-page document highlighting equivalent research experience.
3. A weblink to a max. 1 min video addressing the following points:
- Why you want to join the SRD Academy and, ultimately, the SRD Team at the Champalimaud Foundation.
- Your goals and expectations for the 12-month immersive fellowship and beyond.
- The main reason why you believe you are a good fit for this programme and for the SRD Team.
4. Two reference contacts (name, role, institution, email) — references will be contacted at shortlisting stage.
Key dates
25 May 2026 – Application deadline (23:59 WEST)
May/June 2026 – Shortlisting: possible written exercise, case interview
June 2026 – Selection decisions communicated
June/July 2026 – Inaugural cohort starts (date subject to confirmation)
Months 1–12 – 12-month immersive hands-on experience
End of Year 1 – Evaluation and selection to the SRD Team
Selection process
- Eligibility screening of submitted applications.
- Shortlisting based on CV, motivation video, and possible interview.
- Written exercise if needed.
- Final decision communicated to all applicants.
All dates are indicative and the inaugural cohort starting date of June/July 2026 is subject to confirmation. Candidates will be notified in due time of any adjustments.
Why this matters
The CF SRD Academy is, to our knowledge, the first cohort academy in Europe dedicated to hands-on, real-world immersive experience for PhD-holders into Strategic Research Development at a private non-profit research institute.
In the past decade, the CF SRD Team has built a track record at the interface of international fundraising, evidence-based decision-making and international collaborative partnerships. The SRD Academy formalises that practice into a structured pathway — one that we believe will set a new benchmark for how scientific services recruit and develop talent.
Contact for additional questions
Strategic Research Development team
Champalimaud Foundation - Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
[email protected]
