Human Frontier Science Program

The Human Frontier Science Program (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 from biomolecules to the interactions between organisms. 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.

Funding Opportunities

HFSP funds the following grants and fellowships:

Research Grants

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.

Emphasis is placed on novel collaborations that bring together scientists preferably from different disciplines (e.g. from chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering) to focus on problems in the life sciences.

Two types of Research Grant are available: Young Investigators' Grants and Program Grants

Young Investigators GrantsYoung Investigators' Grants are awarded to teams of researchers, all of whom are within the first five years after obtaining an independent laboratory (e.g. Assistant Professor, Lecturer or equivalent). Applications for Young Investigators' Grants will be reviewed in competition with each other independently of applications for Program Grants.
Program GrantsProgram Grants are 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. Up to $450,000 per grant per year may be applied for. Applications including independent investigators early in their careers are encouraged

To apply for a Research Grant applicants firstly need to submit a ‘Letter of Intent’. Applications will be screened and successful applicants invited to submit a full application.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

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. There are two types of Fellowships available:

Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) are for applicants with a Ph.D. in a biological discipline, who will 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)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.

Career Development Awards

Career Development Awards are for former HFSP Long-Term or Cross-Disciplinary Fellows who return to their home country or move to an HFSP member country that is different from the host country of their HFSP Fellowship. The award provides support for initiating the fellows' first independent laboratory.

The three-year award provides initial support during a critical period of career development. Host institutions are expected to contribute additional resources in support of the awardees and their independent research program.

How to Apply

  1. Contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au to notify the Research office of your intent to apply. Our office will let you know what internal deadlines apply and what internal submission procedures you need to follow (these may change depending on the Research program requirements)
  2. Register for an HFSP account
  3. Submit your application or Letter of Intent via the HSFP website

If you have any questions, or need assistance with the application processes please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au

Further Information