Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) - Research Grants (Award year 2021): Young Investigators’ Grant - Letter of Intent (LOI)

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Background

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) is a unique 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. Singapore is a member country of Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), and therefore, eligible to participate in various HFSP Grant mechanisms, including the Research Grants, Postdoctoral Fellowships and Career Development Awards.

The Research Grants programme is currently open for applications. Two types of grants are available: (i) Young Investigators' Grant and (ii) Program Grant.

The aim of the programme is to promote, through international cooperation, basic research focused on the elucidation of the sophisticated and complex mechanisms of living organisms for the benefit of all humankind. The International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) attaches the highest importance to novelty, scientific merit, internationality, and interdisciplinary. Preliminary results are not required.

Note: HFSPO funds only basic research. Applied applications, including medical research typically funded by national medical research bodies, will be deemed ineligible. Please refer to Scientific scope section under the attachment "HFSP Research Grants Guidelines" for areas which will not be considered eligible.

Funding Details

1. Teams will receive up to USD $450,000 per year for the whole team (depending on the size of the team) for 2 – 4 member teams, with not more than one member from any one country, unless critical for the interdisciplinary nature of the project.

2. Each grant is awarded for a period of 3 years.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Principal applicant must be from one of the member countries but co-investigators may be located in any country.

2. Open for interdisciplinary and international teams of scientists who are all within 5 years of obtaining an independent position* and within 10 years of obtaining their PhDs but 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. Exceptions may be made for periods of parental leave, compulsory military service or absence for medical conditions.

3. "Postdocs" are not eligible to apply.
   * A scientist who has an established research theme with personnel (students and technicians) assigned to this theme may be considered independent. In such cases, written confirmation may be requested from the Head of Department that the applicant is able to carry out the research independently.

Submission

1. Please read the attached "HFSP Research Grants Guidelines" and the document "Writing a Letter of Intent" carefully to establish whether your project is clearly in tune with the requirements and emphasis of the research grant program.

2. Prior to submitting the Letter of Intent, the Principal Applicant must register and obtain a 2021 reference number (LIXXXXXX/2021) through the HFSP extranet site https://extranet.hfsp.org (internet accessible link) by 19 March 2020. The Principal Applicant will first have to set up a password (if not already in the HFSP database) that will give access to the online application form and further instructions concerning online submission (including the addition of the other team members).

3. Principal applicants already listed in the HFSP database (e.g. those re-applying from last year) must also obtain a 2021 reference number by 19 March 2020.

4. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent to apply for a grant.

5. The research team must designate one member as Principal Applicant. He/she must have his/her primary laboratory in a member country and will be responsible for final submission of the Letter of Intent.

6. The Principal Applicant must ensure that no team member is a Principal Applicant or Co-Applicant on another proposal.  

7. The Letter of Intent must be submitted by 30 March 2020, 6pm Singapore Standard Time*. The Principal Applicant will be notified by the beginning of July if the team is invited to submit a full application. The deadline for the full application will be mid-September 2020.
   
   * Submission time will be 6pm local time of the Principal Applicant.

Contact Person

HFSP contact

Email: grant@hfsp.org

Additional Information

Please refer to the following attachments or the HFSP website here (internet accessible link) for more information:

1. HFSP Research Grants Guidelines

2. Writing a letter of intent

3. Scientific elements needed for the letter of intent