Junior Orsi Fellowships
2025 Summer Research at Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School or MIT
Medical, Scientific or Economic students
All expenses covered
Applications for 2026 will open in September 2025
Join a prestigious network
Engage in top-tier research
Applications for 2026 open in
Research Groups
Below are our partnering Research Groups for which you can apply. They each hold high international prestige and are pioneers in their field. As Junior Orsi stands to advance medical innovation, each Junior Orsi Research Fellowship is connected to improving healthcare globally. We also encourage applicants to propose their own laboratory that aligns more closely with their specific interests. More specific information about the research groups will be given after application.
Neurobiology
Investigating the mechanisms of synaptic and circuit plasticity in the developing and mature mammalian central nervous system, particularly focusing on the thalamus’s role in sensory processing. Leveraging range of techniques, including electrophysiology, optical imaging, and genetic tools, to study how these mechanisms regulate synaptic circuits in the visual system.
Highly motivated and organized trainee with excellent interpersonal skills, strong quantitative skills and work ethic. Trainees will participate in in vitro or in vivo electrophysiology or optical imaging experiments, behavioral studies or connectomics. A strong academic background in math, physics and optics, computer science, engineering, neurobiology or biology is required. Experience with computer programming is highly preferred. Previous experience in animal surgeries, electrophysiology, image analysis or two-photon imaging are an added plus.
Cardiology
The laboratory studies the genetic determinants of blood cell ontogeny and disease, leveraging therapeutic genome editing.
Degrees: Medicine, Biology, Chemistry
Phase: starting Master’s Degree at least in Sep 2025.
Radiology
Developing novel devices for radiation therapy using XR, nanoparticles and image-guided radiation.
Degrees: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Phase of education: BSc ongoing/completed
Radiation Oncology
Modeling biology and dosimetry for radiopharmaceutical therapy and, in general, radiotherapy treatment.
Ideally the candidate should be proficient in programming, with some notions of image processing. Familiarity with anatomy and physiological processes is also preferred.
Degrees: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering
Phase of education: BSc ongoing/completed.
Immunology
Focus on the immune system’s response to infections and cancer, focusing on the mechanisms of cytotoxic T lymphocyte and NK cell-mediated killing, including novel pathways like pyroptosis. Uncovering key processes by which immune cells destroy pathogens and cancer cells, and how these pathways can be manipulated for therapeutic purposes. Developing RNA interference-based therapies to target specific genes in immune cells and cancer, advancing treatment strategies for various diseases.
Degrees: Medicine, Biology, Chemistry
Phase of education: BSc to be completed by June 2025 or further.
Propose your own lab!
We highly encourage applicants to propose their own laboratory that aligns more closely with their specific interests at Harvard or MIT. The proposed topic should be based around healthcare, but can come from any background such as economics, engineering, computer science, … The student should have his/her own agreement with this research group and show us confirmation before the 15th of November 2024.
Any student at a European university with an eligible degree in an eligible phase (see below).
Chemical Biology
Development of collagen mimetic peptides for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Scientific Degree
BSc ongoing or further
Timeline
Eligible Degrees
With the Junior Orsi Fellowships, we want to encourage all ambitious students with a passion for healthcare to innovate.
Medicine
Civil Engineering
Bio-medical engineering
Biological Engineering
Economics
Business Engineering
Law
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Pharmaceutical sciences
Kinesiotherapy
Dentistry
2nd year Bachelor students until last year Master students are welcome to apply. Students enrolled in a PhD, Master-after-Master or residency program are also eligible for the Fellowships!
For any questions, please e-mail fellowships@juniororsi.be
Fellowship Benefits
Application Process
Step 1
Fill in our Eligibility form (5 minutes). Based on this, eligible candidates will receive an e-mail with further instructions for your application within 2 weeks. Submit this form swiftly, as you want to receive the full information of application as soon as possible. This form closes on the 5th of November 2024. Our total number of submissions is capped, so don’t miss your chance!
Step 2
You can continue the application process by following the link provided in the e-mail. The process consists of multiple steps and objective evaluation.
Your application will be anonymised and reviewed by an established and independent board of highly professional consultants. Subsequently, authorities in the relevant field of healthcare will review your submission for further consideration. Ultimately, your profile will be assessed by the partnering research group for a final approval.
Step 3
The selected Junior Orsi Fellows will be announced on the 16th of February, 2025. They will be guided for further practical arrangements concerning the exchange.
Supporting societies
This initiative was made possible by the generous support of Orsi Academy, VPK Packaging Group, Duvel Moortgat, Jan & Martine De Clerck, Joris Brantegem (Chairman Zabra) .