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Childcare Support Grant Pilot Programme

Balancing work and family needs remains a challenge for young scientists. The need for childcare and the cost of it in the situation of scarce financial resources, or the absence of the caretaker often makes it difficult, especially for young female scientists and single parents, to participate in scientific conferences, workshops and other activities. This can have a negative impact on educational and networking opportunities and eventually on the scientific career progression on very promising scientists who have to make a difficult choice between their parental obligations and professional development.

ICTP is launching a pilot Childcare Grant initiative to enable researchers with young children to attend scientific conferences, schools and meetings, or other scientific activities organized by ICTP on its campus, and eventually contribute to their career success. The initiative will run from 1 April to 31 December 2026, extendable as required.

Who can apply

Visits to ICTP of less than 90 days.

Only participants with an ICTP invitation letter may apply for the grant.

The grant is limited to applicants who travel with children under the age of 18 to the scientific event.

Valid document showing the family status of the child/children is required.

 

Priority considerations:

Participants from developing countries.

Age of child/children

Stage of the scientific career of the parent.

 

Entitlements

The amount of the grant is 500 EUR per visit.

Number of grants per calendar year will be subject to funds availability.

 

Payment of the grants:

The awardees of the grant must upload the documentation certifying that the child/children is/are accompanying them during their visit to ICTP in Trieste (e.g. boarding passes, train tickets, ICTP Guesthouse registration) in the ICTP visitor management system in order for the grant to be processed.

 

Other considerations.

  • Grant recipients unable to use the grant should notify the Childcare Support Committee as soon as possible in order to release funds for another qualified applicant.
  • Health Insurance coverage is mandatory in Italy and grant awardees are required to bring their child's/children's health insurance policy with them and check the validity of the insurance in Italy. In case they are the nationals of a developing country, their accompanying child /children, upon arrival to ICTP, will be enrolled in an international health insurance scheme for the duration of the visit.
How to apply

Visiting scientists in need of childcare support should apply for the childcare grant normally within one week upon receipt of the acceptance letter/email for conferences, schools and workshops and not later than 3 months before the visit for other types of visits (such as STEP, Associates, Section visitors).

The application link in the visitor management portal becomes available once the visitor confirms his/her visit online.

The following information is required during the online application process: 1) name and age of the child/children; 2) justification/motivation for the request; 3) preliminary plan on how the funds will be used (e.g. airfare, childcare facility, babysitter, etc.).

Selection process

The Childcare Support Committee will review the applications, ensuring eligibility of applicants, assigning the priority order, and taking into consideration the fair distribution of grants between the organizational units in charge of events/activities.

The applicant should be informed about whether the grant was approved normally no later than 1 month before the scientific event.

ICTP_Childcare_Grant_2026_2.pdf
Short-term Visits
Scientists with young children
ICTP, Trieste
Up to 90 days
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
More Details