Through My First AIRC Grants (MFAG) and Start-Up Grants, Fondazione AIRC per la ricerca sul cancro ETS fosters the development of new research projects under the leadership of talented young scientists with a strong commitment to cancer research, seeking the opportunity of becoming independent investigators in Italy. Both MFAG and Start-Up grants have a duration of five years, a period where Principal Investigators (PIs) are expected to mature into expert and fully independent group leaders, competitive for funding schemes meant for established investigators. However, at the final year
of funding, even the most mature projects may not be ready to be fully exploited as a solid base to apply in response to individual grant Calls for senior researchers.
The AIRC Bridge grant, which aims to support Start-Up and MFAG grantees at a critical juncture in their career, is up to € 100.000 for a one-year period, will start on January, 2 2024 and will be awarded once in a lifetime.
Principal Investigators (PIs), cannot have more than one active AIRC individual grant at the same time. Nevertheless, they can apply to this Call if their active grant is in its final year.
Only one application per applicant can be submitted within the 2023 AIRC Calls for individual grants.
The same research project cannot be presented by more than one applicant within the 2023 AIRC Calls.
To be eligible, applicants must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:
- Be holders of MFAG or Start-Up Grants in their final year of funding;
- Have at least 3 primary research papers as first/co-first, last/co-last or corresponding/cocorresponding author
Bridge Grant projects are encouraged to be carried out in the same Hosting Institution (HI) where the current MFAG or Start-Up project is being carried out.
PIs must meet criteria for substantial presence (at least 70% of their time each year) in the hosting institution during the funding period.
To apply for a Bridge Grant, eligible MFAG and Start-Up PIs will have to submit:
• A detailed Scientific Progress Report;
• An Extension Research Plan (max 3 pages).
Funded projects will officially start on 2nd January 2024 and terminate on 1st January 2025. The grant is up to € 100.000, for a one-year period.
AIRC supports 100% of the additional costs generated by a funded project.
Deadlines for applications (by 17:00 Central European Time, of the indicated dates);
Online submission March 7, 2023
Online submission with digital signature of the PI and Legal Representative March 21, 2023
Notification of results December 1, 2023
Start of grants January 2, 2024
Both the PI and the Legal Representative must digitally sign the application.