Start-up Research Grant

The Start-Up Research Grant aims to support early-career researchers establishing independent research careers. Grants are awarded for two years, enabling applicants to submit future proposals. The program emphasizes scientific excellence and collaboration between Israeli and American scientists. Eligible junior principal investigators (PIs) must be within ten years of their PhD or MD completion. Notably, the grant does not cover PI salaries and requires adherence to BSF's application standards.

The Start-Up Grant Program is meant to help newly appointed researchers who are beginning their independent research careers and may not yet have initial results to substantiate their application. Grants are for two years, in order to enable the grantees to submit a standard application to the next competition in their area of research. It is implemented within the framework of the regular BSF Research Grants program, i.e., it must exhibit scientific excellence, have a strong element of cooperation between Israeli and American scientists, and fall within the areas of research supported in that year by the BSF. In addition, at least one of the principal investigators should have attained his/her Ph.D., M.D. degree or equivalent, no more than ten years prior to submitting his/her proposal.
Start-Up proposals are submitted in the same manner as applications for the BSF Research Grant Program, and undergo the standard BSF evaluation process.
Start-Up Grant applications compete for funding together with the standard BSF Research Grant applications. The BSF has no special funds set aside for these grants. Nevertheless, Start-Up applications traditionally have a higher rate of success as compared with standard applications.
Finally, if you are qualified to submit a start-up application, it does not mean that you are required to. You are certainly permitted to submit an application for a regular four year grant, and many young scientists choose to do so.

Eligibility

At the time the application is submitted, the junior PI may be no more than 10 years since the completion of his PhD/MD studies (earliest of the two).A typical start-up application is by a junior PI together with a senior one.The senior PI on a start-up application cannot be funded.Only up to two junior PIs may apply together for a start-up grant, one Israeli and one American, and they can apply with or without a senior scientist (who will not be funded).PIs, each will be eligible to receive $90,000

Ineligibility

The grant will not cover any part of the principal investigator's salary.An applicant for a Start-Up grant may not simultaneously submit another grant application to the BSF, or currently hold another grant from the BSF - other than NSF-BSF grants.A Start-Up grant is awarded for a distinct research endeavor and may not be used merely to supplement or broaden an ongoing project at the applicants' institutions.A senior PI who is collaborating with a junior PI on a start-up application is not eligible for any BSF support, except for travel money.