Visiting researchers programme and global south fellowship

About the programme

Purpose

The Visiting Researchers Programme at CARE offers international and interdisciplinary scholars or practitioners the opportunity to work on independent research projects within a collegial academic environment. The aim of the programme is to create a lively community of animal law and animal rights scholars and practitioners and to provide a space for intellectual exchange, peer feedback, and mutual support. It seeks to foster networking opportunities and long-term academic connections across disciplines and geographical regions, while strengthening CARE’s role as an international hub for animal law scholarship.

Eligible Candidates

The programme is open to early career researchers (a master’s degree is required), including PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, as well as senior researchers and professors. In addition, legal practitioners and professionals with strong academic interests are eligible to apply. 

Applicants should have a primary focus on legal studies, animal law, or closely related disciplines such as philosophy or political science. Interdisciplinary projects are welcome, provided they strongly align with CARE’s research profile. 

Duration

Visiting research stays may range from a minimum of one month to a maximum of one academic year. 

What CARE Expects of Visiting Researchers

During their research stay, Visiting Researchers are expected to work towards a publishable scholarly output, such as a journal article, book chapter, PhD chapter, or comparable academic contribution. All resulting publications must acknowledge CARE.

Visiting Researchers are expected to actively engage with the CARE team and other Visiting Researchers. They are therefore expected to be based in or around Winterthur during their stay and to work regularly from CARE’s office premises during their stay to foster an active intellectual community, facilitate the exchange of ideas, and contribute to CARE’s academic activities and events.

Upon completion of the research stay, all Visiting Researchers are required to submit a brief written summary of their stay. This summary should outline the research activities undertaken, the output achieved or planned, and the added value that CARE provided for their work. 

What CARE Offers to Visiting Researchers

During their stay, Visiting Researchers are integrated into CARE as affiliated members of the team. CARE provides office space in Winterthur, as well as access to the ZHAW library and electronic resources (depending on the duration of stay). 

Visiting Researchers are actively involved in CARE’s academic life, including regular discussion rounds, workshops, and other scholarly events. They are offered the opportunity to present their work at CARE’s academic workshops and engage in academic exchange with CARE’s director and team members. 

For research stays of sufficient duration (generally more than one month), CARE offers more structured opportunities for feedback on ongoing research. This may take the form of an internal presentation and discussion or written feedback on draft work, depending on the needs of the Visiting Researcher and the stage of their project. Where appropriate, CARE may also facilitate connections with relevant external scholars or institutions. 

Funding Opportunities

Visiting Researchers are generally self-funded. Applicants may consider applying for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, which support international researchers with PhD scholarships or research fellowships (please note the relevant application deadlines). For more information, see Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships at a Glance. 

CARE may also support and, where appropriate, coordinate applications to external funding programmes such as the SNSF Scientific Exchanges scheme, which can cover travel and living expenses for research stays up to six months. As applications must be submitted by the Swiss host institution, applicants should contact CARE early on (at least six months in advance) if they wish to apply for such funding. Applications are handled in coordination with CARE. 

To facilitate academic opportunities for underrepresented scholars, CARE may offer financial assistance to scholars based in the Global South who do not have the institutional or personal means to finance a research stay. For more information, contact us at care.irw@zhaw.ch.

Practical information

Visa and Residence Requirements 

Depending on nationality (EU/EFTA or non-EU/EFTA) and the planned duration of stay, different entry and residence requirements may apply. Visiting Researchers are therefore kindly asked to contact CARE as early as possible to clarify the applicable requirements and initiate the necessary procedures.

Where visa or residence permit procedures are required, CARE will coordinate the process with the relevant mobility office at ZHAW. To ensure that the process runs smoothly, Visiting Researchers are kindly asked not to contact the migration authorities directly.

Housing

CARE’s Visiting Researchers Programme does not provide housing. Visiting Researchers are asked to arrange their own accommodation, ideally several months prior to arrival. The CARE team is happy to provide guidance and support where possible. Further information on housing in and around Winterthur is available on the ZHAW website. 

How to apply

If you are interested in a visiting research stay at CARE, please submit the following documents (English or German): 

• Letter of motivation, outlining, inter alia, the applicant’s interest in a research stay at CARE, how their research project aligns with CARE’s research priorities, and how a research stay at CARE may benefit their academic development 
• Curriculum vitae (max. 4 pages)
• Research proposal, outlining the project or scholarly work to be pursued during the stay at CARE (max. 2 pages)
• Academic writing sample (in English or German)

Applications for visiting research stays are accepted on a rolling basis. Please submit your application to care.irw@zhaw.ch.

Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of the planned stay. As a general guideline, at least six months in advance for non-EU/EFTAnationals and three months for EU/EFTA nationals.

For any questions regarding the programme or application process, please contact care.irw@zhaw.ch.