SIFB PhD Award in Photobiology – 2026

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The Italian Association of Photobiology (Associazione Italiana di Fotobiologia – SIFB) announces a call for applications for the SIFB PhD Award in Photobiology – 2026 Edition, aimed at recognising the most promising PhD student in the field of photobiology.

Article 1 – Eligibility criteria

The call is open to PhD students who meet all the following requirements at the closing date of the call (February 20^th, 2026, at 6 pm CEST):

Proof of Enrolment in a PhD program relevant to photobiology. Indicative and non-exhaustive list of admissible topics: photodynamic therapy; photoactive and photoresponsive materials; photopharmacology; photodermatology; photosynthesis and related sciences; photoacoustics; and other relevant areas of photobiology.
Being regularly registered as a member of the Italian Association of Photobiology (SIFB) at the time of application.

Article 2 – Nature of the award

The award consists of a reimbursement of expenses up to a maximum amount of EUR 700 to support participation in the ESP Photobiology School, to be held in Bressanone (Italy) from 15 to 20 June 2026.

Article 3 – Evaluation criteria

Evaluation will be primarily based on academic merit and research potential:

Final grade of the Master’s degree.
Academic background and study pathway.
Quality, originality and relevance of the PhD research project.

Publications and conference participations will be considered an additional merit but are not mandatory or discriminatory.

Article 4 – Selection procedure

Applications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee appointed by the SIFB Executive Board. The Committee reserves the right to:

Shortlist candidates based on the submitted documentation.
Invite shortlisted candidates to an interview, to further assess motivation, scientific potential and coherence of the PhD project.

The Committee’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

The Committee may decide not to award the prize if no candidate is deemed sufficiently deserving.

Article 5 – Conditions for awarding the prize

The award is conditional upon actual participation in the ESP Photobiology School, submission of attendance certificate and expense documentation, and confirmed SIFB membership.

Article 6 – Application procedure

Applications must be submitted by email to info@sifb.it and include:

Signed application form (Annex A) in English.
Curriculum Vitae in English.
Master’s degree certificate with final grade.
Any additional supporting documents.

Article 7 – Notification of results

The outcome of the selection procedure will be communicated by email to all applicants. All candidates will be informed of the results of the evaluation, including whether their application has been shortlisted or not, no later than 13 March 2026. Where applicable, shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview, which will be held during the week from 16 to 20 March 2026. Interviews will be conducted remotely.

Article 8 – Privacy and data protection

Personal data provided by applicants shall be processed by the Italian Association of Photobiology (SIFB) in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR) and with the applicable national legislation. Personal data shall be collected and processed exclusively for the purposes of managing and administering the present selection procedure, including the assessment of eligibility requirements and the awarding of the prize, and shall be processed by both paper-based and electronic means.

The provision of personal data is mandatory for the purposes of participation in the selection procedure. Failure to provide the required data shall result in exclusion from the procedure. Applicants, as data subjects, may exercise their rights under Articles 15 to 22 of the GDPR, including the right of access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability, and the right to object to the processing of their personal data, in accordance with the conditions set out in the GDPR. The data controller is the Italian Association of Photobiology (SIFB), Via Francesco Marzolo, 5, 35131 Padua (PD), Italy.