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.

more details Current guidelines and application procedures

Applications for 2010 research grants are now closed. The deadline was March 31st 2009

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.
 
Registration deadline for 2010 fellowships: 27 August 2009.

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

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

Professor Akito Arima elected as new President of the HFSPO. Prof. Arima takes up his new office on April 1 2009. See Press Release

Announcement of 2009 Program and Young Investigator Grants, Long-Term and Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships and Career Development Awards. Lists of the new awardees are available HERE. See also Press release

The HFSPO Annual Report 07/08 is now available online.

ERNST-LUDWIG WINNACKER TO BE APPOINTED SECRETARY GENERAL OF HFSPO The Board of Trustees of the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker to serve as Secretary General of the Organization as from 1 July 2009. He will succeed Torsten Wiesel, who will leave HFSPO after more than 9 years of dynamic leadership. Professor Winnacker will join HFSPO from his current position as the first Secretary General of the European Research Council (ERC). . See Press Release

Read the HFSP Journal The HFSP Journal aims to foster communication between scientists publishing high quality, innovative interdisciplinary research at the interface between biology and the physical sciences. See the HFSP Journal web site.

The reports of the 2007 HFSP Awardees Meeting held in Twin Waters, Queensland, Australia is now available on the web together with reports of all earlier Awardees Meetings since 2001 HERE

Paths to Discovery - profiles of HFSP Awardees written by science writer Geoffrey Montgomery are now online HERE