Start-Up Research Grants

The Start-Up Research Grants program is designed to help newly appointed researchers who are beginning their independent research careers and may not yet have initial results to substantiate their application. This program helps young scientists in the U.S. and Israel to establish cooperation, as part of the vision of the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation. Grants are awarded for two years to enable grantees to submit a standard application to the next competition in their area of research. Start-Up proposals are implemented within the framework of the regular BSF Research Grants program, requiring scientific excellence and a strong element of cooperation between Israeli and American scientists. At least one of the principal investigators should have attained their Ph.D., M.D. degree or equivalent no more than ten years prior to submitting the proposal. The program distinguishes between 'Senior PI' (established scientist) and 'Junior PI' (researcher in the first stages of independent career). Start-Up Grant applications compete for funding together with standard BSF Research Grant applications through the same submission and evaluation process. While the BSF has no special funds set aside for these grants, Start-Up applications traditionally have a higher rate of success compared with standard applications, with a recent success rate of 39%. Each principal investigator receives $90,000 over the two-year grant period.