	OPCW	_Secretariat
International Cooperation and Assistance Division
S/289/2002
14 January 2002
Original: ENGLISH
(Unofficial electronic version)

Note by the Secretariat

INTERNSHIP SUPPORT PROGRAMME

1. Purpose of programme

1.1 The Secretariat wishes to inform Member States of the revised criteria for applicants who wish to apply for financial support for the Internship Support Programme, implemented by the International Cooperation and Assistance Division. This programme, which is effective as of 1 January 2002, will supersede all previous forms of support provided by the Secretariat for internships and fellowships at scientific institutions/laboratories in Member States.

1.2 Article XI of the Chemical Weapons Convention (hereinafter the “Convention”) seeks to foster international cooperation in the field of chemical activities not prohibited by the Convention. More specifically, this Article focuses on the promotion of the fullest possible exchange of chemicals, equipment, and of scientific and technical information relating to the development and application of chemistry for industrial, agricultural, research, medical, pharmaceutical, and other peaceful purposes. One form of exchange enables scientists and engineers working in research institutions, or in publicly-funded laboratories, or in recognised universities in Member States which are either developing, or which have economies in transition, to work for a limited period of time in a more advanced laboratory or facility in another Member State. This programme is on an internship basis only, so as to not only facilitate the sharing of scientific and technical information, but also to further professional growth. The length of the internship will normally not exceed three months, which, in exceptional cases, could be extended for a maximum of six months. Such an exchange would be bilateral in nature, and it would be expected that the scientific links established between the two research institutions would continue after the internship itself has ended. Before any intern requests financial support from the Secretariat, he/she must ensure that all administrative arrangements between the institution in which the intern is employed, and the institution to which he/she will be sent, have been confirmed; this includes ensuring that the prospective intern is proficient in the working language of the institution where the internship will be conducted.

2. Scope of the programme

This programme is aimed at supporting internships which would fulfil the objectives set out in Article XI of the Convention. Without precluding the possibility of funding for internships in other fields of chemistry, the areas of study for the internships that are eligible for grants from the Secretariat “for the development and promotion of scientific and technical knowledge in the field of chemistry for industrial, agricultural, research, medical, pharmaceutical or other peaceful purposes” would, in accordance with subparagraph 2(c) of Article XI, include the following:

(a) training in analytical methodologies and validation techniques for toxic chemicals;

(b) techniques in handling and using toxic chemicals;

(d) medical treatment and prophylactics for exposure to toxic chemicals;

(e) verification techniques and methods relevant to the implementation of the Convention; and

(f) any other application of chemistry for purposes not prohibited under the Convention.

3. Funding for the programme

3.1 Funding would normally include either one or both of the following:

(a) a travel grant for the intern; and

(b) an internship allowance, in accordance with the prevailing United Nations norms for fellowships in the country/city where the internship is to take place.

3.2 Funding Procedure: The travel grant is intended to cover the journey to and from the prospective intern’s normal place of work to the institution where he/she will be carrying out the internship, by the most economical route. Air tickets for such journeys will be provided directly by the Secretariat. The internship allowance will be paid in three instalments, the first two of which will be paid through the institution offering the internship. The first instalment of 50% will be paid at the beginning of the internship, and another 30% will be paid midway through the internship. The final instalment of 20% will be paid directly to the intern after he/she has completed the internship, and has submitted a detailed report to the Secretariat on the results achieved.

4. Conditions and Procedures

4.1 Duration: Internships normally last no longer than three months; in exceptional cases, an internship may be extended for a maximum of six months.

4.2 Eligibility: This programme is open to junior or middle-level scientists who:

(a) are citizens of Member States which are either developing, or which have economies in transition;

(b) must be working in a research institution, or in a publicly-funded laboratory, or in a recognised university laboratory in his/her home country; and

4.3 Application procedures: Applications may be submitted to the International Cooperation and Assistance Division at any time; applicants should use the form annexed to this document. The following formalities are to be completed before the application is submitted:

(a) the application is to be endorsed by the institution which presently employs the intern;

(b) a letter of acceptance from the institution which is to receive the intern, is to be enclosed with the application; and

(c) the completed application form is to be submitted either through the relevant National Authority, or through the Permanent Representation to the OPCW.

4.4 Selection procedure: A final selection of the interns to be supported will be decided on the basis of recommendations of an internal committee to be appointed by the Director-General.

4.5 Report: Upon completing the internship, the intern will submit a detailed report to the Secretariat on the results achieved, the benefits derived from the intern’s professional perspective, and the benefits that would accrue to his/her institution, and to his/her country. The report should also indicate how the intern proposes to use the knowledge gained from the internship for the overall development and peaceful application of chemistry for purposes not prohibited under the Convention. The comments of the intern’s supervisor at the institution where the internship took place should also be enclosed.

4.6 The Secretariat reserves the right to consult with and/or receive an additional endorsement from the National Authority, or the Permanent Representation to the OPCW, of the country where the internship is scheduled to take place. Further information may be obtained from the International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW, Johan de Wittlaan 32, NL-2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands; Fax: + 31‑ (0)70 - 306 3535; E‑mail: intcoop@opcw.org.

Annex (English only) :

Internship Support Programme Application Form

Annex

Internship Support Programme

APPLICATION FORM

(i) This form is to be used to apply for direct OPCW support. Before completing the form, please read the guidelines presented in the accompanying Note by the Secretariat to confirm your eligibility for financial support for the programme.

(ii) Applications may be considered at any time.

(iii) The primary applicant should complete sections 1 - 4 of this form, and send it to either the respective National Authority, or the Permanent Representation to the OPCW in The Hague, with a request to complete section 5.

(iv) The National Authority, or to the Permanent Representation to the OPCW, should then submit the completed form to the International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW, Johan de Wittlaan 32, NL-2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands.

1. Personal information

1.1 Name___________________________________________________________

(Please underline family name)

1.2 Address

Home __________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Work ___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

1.3 Telephone no._____________________________________________________

Home Work

1.4 Fax no.___________________________________________________________

1.5 E-mail___________________________________________________________

1.6 Date of birth______________________________________________________

(dd/mm/yy):

1.7 Country of citizenship _____________________________________________

1.8 Passport no. ______________________________________________________

Date of issue ____________________________________________________

Valid until _____________________________________________________

1.9 Bank account no.___________________________________________________

Bank name ______________________________________________________

Swift code ______________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

(The final instalment of the internship allowance will be transferred to this account)

1.10 Profession________________________________________________________

1.11 Present position____________________________________________________

State title of previous post(s) held with dates

1.12 Brief description of your present/ongoing work __________________________

________________________________________________________________

1. 13 Have you received financial of other support from OCPW for any activity during the past 36 months? Yes ¸ No ¸

If yes, please describe______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

1.13 If you have applied for any other support from the OPCW, please describe

________________________________________________________________

2. The Internship

2.1 Title of project____________________________________________________

2.2 Name of institution where internship will be undertaken ________________________________________________________________

2.3 Address _________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

2.4 Contact details of the institution Phone_______________________

Fax_________________________

E-mail ______________________

2.5 Name of supervisor________________________________________________

2.6 Duration of internship ______________________________________________

From to

2.7 Bank account no. of the institution where internship is to be held ____________

Bank name ______________________________________________________

Swift code ______________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

(the advance internship allowance will be paid into this account for transfer to the intern)

2.8 Briefly state how your proposed internship will benefit your present work, your institution, and your country _________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

2.9 Please attach a copy of your detailed internship proposal.

3. Supporting documentation

Applications will not be accepted without all of the following:

(i) statement from the receiving institution that the intern has been accepted;

(ii) statement from the intern’s present supervisor confirming he/she will be granted leave to assume the internship;

(iii) photocopies of relevant pages from the intern’s passport; and

(iv) an updated curriculum vitae of the intern.

4. Signature of applicant Date

5. Recommendation from the relevant National Authority

__________________________________________________________________

6. Signature with seal/stamp of the Date

authorised representative

of the National Authority

or of the Permanent Representation

to the OPCW

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