The Human Frontier Science Program Foundation launches its research grant for the Award year 2017.

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) is a niche program that supports innovative basic research into fundamental biological problems with emphasis placed on novel and interdisciplinary approaches that involve scientific exchanges across national and disciplinary boundaries.

Aim: The HFSP  funds  novel  collaborations  that  bring scientists with  distinct  expertise  together to  focus  on problems  at  the

frontiers of  the  life  sciences. Topics  covered  range  from  molecular  and  cellular approaches  to  biological  functions  to  systems  neuroscience  including  cognitive  functions. 

Types of awards:

- Young Investigator's Program: It is  to  be  expected  that  outstanding  young  scientists,  in  the  initial  period  of  their independent careers, are in a particularly good position to formulate innovative and fertile research projects. Typically, “Young Investigators” will have completed one or two periods of postdoctoral training  and  be  appointed  to  staff  positions  that  allow  them  to  initiate  and  direct  their  own independent lines of research.

- Program Grants: Program  Grants  are  meant  to  allow  teams  of  independent  researchers  to  develop new lines of research through the collaboration.  Priority will be  given to  new, innovative  research projects  for  which  preliminary  results  might  not  necessarily  be  available.  Applications including independent investigators early in their careers are encouraged.

Eligibility criteria:

- For the Young Investigator's Program:

       i. They must be within 5 years  of  obtaining  an  independent  position.

               a) An independent position would typically be “Assistant        Professor”, “Lecturer” or equivalent. In some cases,  the                Young  Investigator should be a project leader directing  a research         group.

               b) Scientists  who  have  already  been  appointed  to  senior  positions  are  not  eligible  to  apply  for  the Young                Investigators’        program, even if they are formally within the 5-year  limit,  but  they  may apply for a Program Grant.

       ii.  They must have  obtained  their first  doctoral degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) not longer than 10 years before the deadline        for submission of the letter of intent.

“Postdocs” are not eligible to apply.

- For the Program Grants: all  members  of  a  Program  Grant  team  must  be  in  a  position  to initiate  and  direct  their  own  independent  lines  of  research.  They  must  have  responsibility  for  their own laboratories and show evidence of independence. “Postdocs” are not eligible to apply.

Budget:

- For a team of 2: $250,000/year

- For a team of 3: $350,000/year

- For a team of 4 or more: $450,000/year

For more information regarding this issue, please refere to the guidelines (5.2 Amount of award)

Duration: 3 years

Deadlines:

       - To obtain a reference number: March 21st, 2016.

       - To submit a LoI: March 31st, 2016.

       - Invitation to submit a full application: July 2016.

       - To submit a full application: mid-September 2016.

For more information about how to apply, please refere to the guidelines (8. How to apply)

Further information: HERE