Application information

Applications for the YSSP 2026 are closed. The next round of applications for the YSSP 2027 will open in October 2026.

Information webinars will be offered the following dates (all times CET, registration details available soon):

November 3 19:00-20:00 CET (intended for North and South American audience)

November 4 14:00-15:00 CET (intended for European and African audience)

November 10 10:00-11:00 CET (intended for Asian and Oceanic audience)

You can watch last years webinar to find out more about the YSSP and the application process.

We welcome applications from PhD students around the world. You should:

Be enrolled in a PhD program, ideally within one to two years of completing your degree.
Propose research that connects with IIASA’s research areas.
Be able to formulate research questions and work independently, with guidance from a mentor.
Be interested in interdisciplinary research and the wider relevance of your work.
Have sufficient proficiency in English to conduct research, discuss your work, and participate fully in the program.
Be available to participate full-time and in person for the full program period.

Do you meet the application requirements criteria?
Is your topic compatible with ongoing IIASA research?
Read about funding
Check the information requirements for application submission (see below)
The Research Proposal is the most important part of the application.
Identify which IIASA Research Group is most suitable (you can select two if approprate).
Look at recent YSSP projects.
Develop outline proposal ideas (ideas for your research project during YSSP).
Make contact with relevant Research Group. Share outline proposal ideas & find out more about the Group's current work areas.
Write proposal
Collate all information and finalise documents.
Upoad to Onlyfy. Please note that it is not possible to save your progress on Onlyfy. All information and documents must be submitted in one session.
Application deadline: January 2027, 23:00 CET

Personal Information

First Name
Last / Family Name
Birth date
Email
Gender
Citizenship(s)
Country of Residence
Are you currently enrolled in a PhD program?
Title/topic of your PhD thesis
Five key words related to your research
Does your research require laboratory facilities? Yes/No
PhD starting date (DD/MM/YYYY)
Expected PhD completion date (DD/MM/YYYY) Doctoral degree institution
Doctoral degree country
English proficiency level
Tell us about your Master's Degree – what did you major in? Share the title of your Master's thesis. What particularly interested you about this field of study? (max. 2500 characters)

Research Group choice

Research Proposal

Title of your proposed research
Abstract of your proposed research (max. 2500 characters)
Main research questions and objectives (max. 2500 characters)
Methods and approach (max. 2500 characters)
Do you already have your data, or are you in the process of obtaining it? If so, what are the requirements? (max. 2500 characters)
Innovative aspects (e.g., how is this research original with regards to concepts and methods?) (max. 2500 characters)
Expected Results and Risks for Success (max. 2500 characters)

Documents

Upload your CV, Motivation Letter and List of Publications as one single PDF file.

References

The research proposal should clearly define the 'project' you intend to work on during the 3 month YSSP.

The project should be compatible with IIASA's research
The project should be compatible with chosen Research Group's work.
Contact chosen Research Group to discuss project ideas and identify potential mentors.
Develop and refine project ideas (if possible, in collaboration with IIASA Research Group contact, potential mentor)
Project should be achievable within the 3 month YSSP.
The project may contribute directly to you PhD - for example laying the groundwork for a thesis chapter or research paper, or offer an opportunity to explore a new research direction.