The HFSP supports novel, innovative and interdisciplinary basic research focused on the complex mechanisms of living organisms; topics range from molecular and cellular approaches to systems and cognitive neuroscience. A clear emphasis is placed on novel collaborations that bring biologists together with scientists from fields such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science and engineering to focus on problems at the frontier of the life sciences.

Scientific Programs

Research Grants are awarded for novel collaborations involving extensive collaboration among teams of scientists working in different countries and in different disciplines.
Two types of grants are available: Young Investigator Grants and Program Grants.

The competition for 2011 grants is now closed.

more details Current guidelines and application procedures

Postdoctoral Fellowships are available for scientists who wish to work in foreign laboratories, with emphasis on individuals early in their careers who wish to obtain training in a different field of research. Fellows who return to their home countries are eligible to apply for a Career Development Award.

Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships: Cross-disciplinary fellowships are intended for postdoctoral fellows with a Ph.D. degree in the physical sciences, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and computer sciences who wish to receive training in biology.

The registration for 2011 long-term and cross-disciplinary fellowships is open now.

more details Current guidelines and application procedures

Please note that HFSP funding programs start at the postdoctoral level. No support is available for undergraduate or PhD students. In addition we do not provide travel grants for attending conferences.

Japanese site

The current guidebooks and Japanese translations of some HFSP materials can also be obtained from our companion site in Japan.

News

The 2009/2010 HFSP ANNUAL REPORT is available

A major external review has just been published of the HFSP programs. The study, by the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research and Evidence Ltd concludes that the HFSP programs are fulfilling their role of supporting early career scientists and international teams working at the frontiers of the life sciences. See MAIN STUDY and BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

The HFSPO is greatly saddened by the sudden death of Prof. Arturo Falaschi, who was a member of our Council of Scientists, chairing it for two years from 2000-2001. See obituary.

Congratulations to HFSP grant awardees Thomas Sudhof and James Rothman for receiving the 2010 KAVLI PRIZE FOR NEUROSCIENCE

Congratulations to HFSP awardees Paul M. Brakefield, Raymond Dolan, Angus Lamond and Wolf Reik for their election as Fellows of the Royal Society, and as Foreign Members awardees Edmund H. Fischer and Detlef Weigel, as well as HFSP Council of Scientists Member Pascale Cossart. For more info see HERE

The 2010 HFSP Awardees Meeting for awardees from years 2007-2009 will be in Kerala, India from Oct 31-Nov 3. Awardees from these years have been sent information and abstract forms. If you are in this group and have not received the invitation please look in your spam filter and, if all else fails, contact us.

We are excited about the start of the HFSP Alumni Network! The first meeting of HFSP alumni will take place in the Montreal Botanical Garden on July 29. The meeting will bring together former HFSP awardees from the Eastern Canada region. And look out later this year for a revamped HFSP web site with a special section for alumni.

The first HFSP Nakasone Award has been conferred upon Karl Deisseroth of Stanford University for his pioneering work in the application of microbial opsins as "optogenetic" tools in neurobiology. See PRESS RELEASE and OTHER INFO.

New increased stipends for HFSP Fellows! More information can be found HERE

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of HFSP, we have published a booklet with recollections and impressions from many people who have steered the Program through these years and from HFSP awardees. A PDF file of the booklet can be downloaded HERE