Synapsis Foundation - Career Development Awards and Principal Investigator Grants

Principal Investigator Grants: Support of innovative projects of established research teams

Career Development Awards: Support advanced postdoctoral researchers at Swiss Universities and Research Institutions seeking to establish themselves as independent researchers in the field of neurodegenerative disorders
Deadlines

• Letter of Intent: The submission deadline is 5 May 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
• Full Proposal: The submission deadline is 10 July 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Career Development Awards:

Eligibility

Phase 1 – Postdoctoral Research Phase

• Applicants must be advanced postdoctoral scientists conducting research in a host laboratory at a public research facility in Switzerland.
• Applicants should have worked 3-5 years as postdoctoral researchers at the time of application.

Phase 2 – Junior Faculty Phase

• Approval of the progress report and research plan by the Scientific Advisory Board of the Synapsis Foundation.
• Requirement to move to a new institution or department.
• Employment as an independent faculty member (assistant professor or higher level) or group leader.
• The funding for the faculty/group leader position must be secured by institutional funds or other grants.
• The independent position can be at any institution in EMBO member countries.

Funding and Duration

• Maximum funding is CHF 100,000 per year for up to four years, covering both phase 1 and phase 2.
• Phase 1 supports up to two years for postdoctoral research with the same annual funding cap.
• Phase 2 also allows for up to CHF 100,000 per year in funding for the junior faculty phase.

Timeline

• Letter of Intent Review: After the 5 May 2024 deadline, the Scientific Advisory Board reviews the letters and selects the most promising projects.
• Full Proposal Submission: Following a positive preliminary review, applicants are invited to submit a full proposal by 10 July 2024.
• Evaluation: The Scientific Advisory Board, supported by external reviewers, evaluates full proposals based on originality, innovation, and other criteria.
• Funding Decision Announcement: Decisions are announced before 20 December 2024.

Principal Investigator Grants:

Deadline

• Letter of Intent: Submission deadline is 5 May 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
• Full Proposal: Submission deadline is 10 July 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Eligibility

• Principal investigators at Swiss universities or research institutions are eligible.
• Applicants must not have received Synapsis Foundation funding for at least one year at the time of submission.
• Proposals that have been previously rejected can only be submitted once more, with a detailed explanation of the changes.

Funding and Duration

• Projects can receive up to CHF 300,000 for up to 3 years (e.g., CHF 100,000 per year for a three-year project).
• Indirect or overhead costs cannot be charged on these awards.

Timeline

• Letter of Intent Review: After the 5 May 2024 deadline, the Scientific Advisory Board reviews the letters and selects the most promising projects.
• Full Proposal Submission: Following a positive review, applicants are invited to submit a full proposal by 10 July 2024.
• Evaluation: Proposals are evaluated by the Scientific Advisory Board and external reviewers, focusing on originality, innovation, scientific quality, feasibility, and the applicant's past performance.
• Funding Decision Announcement: Decisions are announced by 20 December 2024.

Contact
Lisa Parolini
Further information
Synapsis Foundation Website