HFSP Research Grants support innovative basic research into fundamental biological problems with emphasis placed on novel and interdisciplinary approaches that involve scientific exchanges across national and disciplinary boundaries (see guidelines).

Participation of scientists from disciplines outside the traditional life sciences such as biophysics, chemistry, computational biology, computer science, engineering, mathematics, nanoscience or physics is recommended because such collaborations have opened up new approaches for understanding the complex structures and regulatory networks that characterize living organisms, their evolution and interactions.

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. Preliminary results are not required and applicants are expected to develop new lines of research through the research collaboration.

Two types of Grant are available:

Research Grants - Early Career*
All team members are expected to direct a research group (however small) and must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD or equivalent). They must be in a position to initiate and direct their own independent lines of research. The HFSP award is not intended to create scientific independence, this is a decision of the research institute prior to the application.

Research Grants - Program
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. Applications including independent investigators early in their careers are encouraged.

*Former Young Investigators

Both provide three years support for 2 - 4 member teams.

Deadlines

• Compulsory initiation of a Letter of Intent by obtaining a 7-digit LOI ID (1 XXX XXX) 18 March 2025
• Submission of a Letter of Intent: 27 March 2025
• Submission of Full Proposals: mid-September 2025, on invitation only

• Team members must lead a research group and hold a PhD.
• Projects must be collaborative and interdisciplinary.
• Applications for applied research, including medical research typically funded by national agencies, are not accepted.

In case of interest, please click on 'm'interessa' and we will contact you