Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)

HFSP is an international program of research support, funding frontier research on the complex mechanisms of living organisms. Research is funded at all levels of biological complexity. The key elements of HFSP’s mission are: support for innovative, cutting edge research at the frontiers of life sciences, encouragement of high risk research, promotion of international collaboration in the spirit of science without borders and support for financial and intellectual independence for early career researchers. 3 categories of support are: Research Grants, Postdoctoral fellowships and Career Development Award. The selection is made by high level, expert international review committees. Research Grants enable scientists from different countries to collaborate on focused innovative projects that are expected to open new fields of investigation. Interdisciplinary collaborations are especially encouraged. Postdoctoral fellowships enable the most talented early career scientists to extend their scientific repertoire in laboratories abroad. HFSP fellowships are for 3 years. Fellows may choose to stay for up to 3 years in the host country or use the last year of their fellowship to return to their home country or to move to another HFSPO member country. Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) are for applicants with a Ph.D. in a biological discipline, who intend to broaden their expertise by proposing a project in the life sciences which is significantly different from their previous Ph.D. or postdoctoral work. Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) are for applicants with a Ph.D. from outside the life sciences (e.g. in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering or computer sciences), who have had limited exposure to biology during their previous training. Former HFSP Fellows who return to their home country or move to a third HFSP member country can apply for a Career Development Award to support their transition to independence. HFSP awardees are brought together in an annual meeting to help build a global network of like-minded scientists working on a broad range of subjects within the life sciences and to stimulate new collaborations.