Roche announced that it is setting up a new international Roche Postdoc Fellowship programme (RPF). The aim of the programme is to support outstanding young scientists in cooperative R&D projects between Roche and academic institutions by providing grants for up to four years.

The purpose of RPF is to strengthen international scientific exchange and nurture the development of innovative specialist knowledge, new ideas and creative talent. Roche plans to award up to 100 postdoctoral fellowships in various scientific disciplines in the first two years of the programme, and in the long term to expand it into a broad-based international platform that promotes scientific excellence.

The Roche Research Foundation (RRF), a body that primarily awards doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships in Switzerland, will cease its activities at the end of 2008 and transfer its resources to a new, autonomous foundation that will promote young talent and research excellence in Roche's home country.

"Our intention is to channel the positive momentum generated by the RRF into the new, much broader Roche Postdoc Fellowship programme and continue its success there", explained Dr René Imhof, designated head of the new Roche Postdoc Fellowship programme. "We believe firmly that in setting up this programme we are making an important contribution to scientific excellence at international level and staying true to our principle of encouraging outstanding young talent and groundbreaking research".

Postdoctoral students supported by the RPF programme will receive scientific mentoring both from Roche and its academic partners.