The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) conducted a competition for PhD students and young professionals in the framework of the Targeted Initiative entitled “CBRN Export Control on Dual-Use Materials and Intangible Technologies in Central Asia” - sponsored by the EU Commission, and entitled “SPECIAL RESEARCH FUND 2018. CALL FOR DOCTORAL GRANTS”, the purpose of which was to encourage young scientists to increase their body of knowledge on strategic trade control.  The research topic will be related to the developments and trends of CBRN non-proliferation; strategic trade control; or national and international trade control systems. 

The Doctoral Research Grant was open to postgraduate students (regardless of citizenship) in social sciences holding a Master‘s degree from a University located in one of the Partner Countries of the Target Initiative (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Mongolia).   Applicants were required to be registered in a Ph.D. program in a university located in the European Union (EU), as well as to identify two supervisors to oversee their studies.  One supervisor was required to have an academic position in the EU university where he/she would be enrolled and the other would hold an academic position in a university in one of the Partner countries.

The ISTC received a number of excellent applications and via a competitive selection process, a highly qualified doctoral student was selected. The selected candidate will be invited to Brussels to receive his/her grant award at a ceremony to be conducted during the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Iniative’s Sixth International Meeting of the National Focal Points scheduled to take place from the 18^th to the 21^st of June, 2018.