Bioscience Technology Platform Grants
Call for applications
Provision of support to research career development in biocenters
Background: In the memorandum “Restructuring and Development of Biosciences in Finland” research career development is recognized as one of the key areas requiring support from Biocenter Finland funds. The transition from the first principal investigator (group leader) position (such as the five-year Academy Research Fellow position) to a position that requires financial commitment from the organization and permits a successful principal investigator to continue his/her work is seen as the greatest challenge in research career development in Finland.
Based on the recommendations in the memorandum, Biocenter Finland proposes to address this issue by its program for personalized support to research career development in biosciences. The second purpose of the program is to strengthen the infrastructures and technology platforms of Biocenter Finland.
Description of the programme:
Two types of research career schemes can be funded.
(1) Biocenter Finland can support talented young principal investigators with excellent track records whose fixed-term appointments (e.g. Academy Research Fellows or equivalent positions) are coming to their end. The partner biocenters are invited to identify and propose qualifying individuals to the Board of Biocenter Finland for shared funding of the principal investigator’s salary for a period up to December 2012. Typically, Biocenter Finland can cover up to 50% of the individual’s salary for the appointment period. As the focus of Biocenter Finland funding schemes is on infrastructure networks and technology platforms, it is important that individuals to be funded can clearly demonstrate this aspect in their current and future career. The applicant biocenter should also clearly describe how the candidate’s proposed research will integrate to the existing technology platforms receiving funding from Biocenter Finland or help establish a new emerging technology area, and confirm that the rest of the investigator’s salary is secured from other sources.
(2) Funding can also be applied for recruitment of scientists living abroad to bring expertise in novel technologies to Finland in key areas where gaps in expertise currently exist. In these cases, 50-100% coverage of the person’s salary and a relevant start-up package for the first 2 years may be provided. To ensure that the required working environment is available, also these proposals should be submitted by the partner biocenters.
Schedule: Biocenter Finland can currently commit to funding of research career development up to Dec 31, 2012 only. The requested funding period can start on 1st November, 2010, or any time thereafter. The call is open immediately, and the application deadline is August 31st, 2010.
Instructions for applicants: Biocenter is the official applicant, and each application should be signed both by the director of the biocenter and the person for whom the funding is intended. If you are interested in this funding scheme, please first contact the director of the appropriate biocenter (see the list of biocentershttp://www.biocenter.fi/index2.html ).
Include the following documents:
1) The application should include a signed cover letter (one page maximum) stating the period of funding, the percentage applied from Biocenter Finland, and the estimated total salary. The letter should also confirm that the rest of the investigator’s salary is secured from the biocenter or other sources.
2) A statement from the host biocenter describing how the candidate’s proposed research will integrate to the existing technology platforms receiving funding from Biocenter Finland or help establish a new emerging technology area (max. 1 page).
3) Curriculum vitae of the applicant (max 3 pages), which clearly shows how the applicant fulfills the criteria for this funding program.
4) List of publications (include max. 25 publications, which can also include patents or patent applications).
5) Research plan of the applicant (max. 5 pages). Include the documents described above, in the order specified, combined into a single pdf file.
The applications are to be submitted to bf-biocenter (at) helsinki.fi, by August 31st, 2010, before midnight.
