Human Frontier Science Programm
www.hfsp.org
Areas Supported
The aim of the HFSP is to support basic research focused on complex mechanisms of living organisms; fields supported range from molecular and cellular approaches to biological functions to systems and cognitive neuroscience. Research Grants are now designed to bring together scientists from fields such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, bioinformatics, nanoscience, engineering and biology to open up new approaches to understanding complex biological systems. Fellowship Programs are aimed specifically to support young scientists who wish to change their field of research either within the life sciences or across major disciplines.
HFSP previously supported 2 scientific programs focused on neuroscience and molecular biology. With the dissolving of boundaries separating traditional biological fields, and the need to involve disciplines outside biology in life science research, these separate programs have been unified into a single scientific program. A single committee now reviews all grant applications, while a second committee reviews all long-term fellowship applications. Both committees are composed of internationally-leading scientists.
Research in methodology in the above areas, or the study of analogs or models of biological activity, is also eligible for support.
Projects which involve only high-throughput approaches to data collection (e.g. large-scale, systematic genome mapping or sequencing) are not eligible to receive HFSP funding. However, this does not exclude functional studies based upon use of such data.
Research grants are provided for teams of scientists from different countries who wish to combine their expertise in innovative approaches to questions that could not be answered by individual laboratories. Emphasis is placed on novel collaborations that bring together scientists preferably from different disciplines (e.g. from chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering) to focus on problems in the life sciences.
The research teams must be international. The principal applicant must be from one of the eligible countries (www.hfsp.org/about/AboutCountries.php).
However, other participating scientists and laboratories may be situated anywhere in the world.
Applicants must submit a letter of intent to apply for a research grant via the HFSP web site with a deadline at the end of March, and after review, selected teams will be invited to submit a full application.
Two types of Research Grant are available: Young Investigators' Grants and Program Grants.
Young Investigators' Grants aare awarded to teams of researchers, all of whom are within the first five years after obtaining an independent laboratory (e.g. Assistant Professor, Lecturer or equivalent). Applications for Young Investigators' Grants will be reviewed in competition with each other independently of applications for Program Grants.
Program Grants are awarded to teams of independent researchers at any stage of their careers. The research team is expected to develop new lines of research through the collaboration. Up to $450,000 per grant per year may be applied for. Applications including independent investigators early in their careers are encouraged.
