The Italian Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation (FFC Ricerca) funds research projects that have the ultimate aim to improve the health status of persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to providing a breakthrough in understanding of the molecular basis of the disease.
This call is in the memory of prof. Gianni Mastella, pediatrician and key scientist in CF research and co-founder of FFC Ricerca. Two funding options are available:
- the “Gianni Mastella Starting Grant – GMSG” is addressed at investigators operating in the field of CF to continue their scientific career in the study of the basic defect of the disease or in the development of therapeutic approaches to improve the life of people with CF.
- the “Gianni Mastella Research Fellowship – GMRF” is addressed at young researchers who want to start their career in CF research in a laboratory already active in the field.
FFC Ricerca anticipates to finance 1 GMSG and 1 GMRF, depending on the type and quality of the applications and the availability of funds.
Relevant features of this call
- Gianni Mastella Starting Grant – GMSG:
o the maximum budget allowed is 180.000 euros for the entire project;
o the budget will cover:
▪ the cost of the PI’s salary, set at 31.000 euros maximum per year for a total of 93.000 euros for the entire period,
▪ the cost to conduct the research activity set at a maximum of 87.000 euros for the entire period.
o the candidate must be 40 years old or younger (see Eligibility criteria below);
o the PhD or MD degree is mandatory;
o the candidate must have at least 3 publications as first/last/corresponding author in original papers published in international peer-reviewed journals;
o the applicant must provide a recommendation letter by the chief of the lab in which his/her mentorship to the applicant is assured;
- Gianni Mastella Research Fellowship – GMRF:
o the candidate must be 33 years old or younger (see Eligibility criteria below);
o the maximum budget allowed is 100.000 euros for the entire project;
o the budget will cover:
▪ the cost of the research fellowship, set at 25.000 euros per year for a total of 75.000 euros for the entire period,
▪ the cost to conduct the research activity set at 25.000 euros for the entire period.
o the PhD or MD degree is NOT mandatory;
o the candidate must have at least 1 publication in the field of cystic fibrosis,
o the applicant must provide a recommendation letter by the chief of the lab in which his/her tutorship to the applicant is assured;
- Common features:
o deadline for submitting applications: 2nd February 2026;
o only monocentric projects are allowed;
o the duration of the projects is set at 36 months;
o a training period in an External Research Institution (ERI) is encouraged (see Project duration and training period below);
o the candidate must produce a document certifying the willingness of the host institution and, if applicable, of the external research center to conduct the research;
o the funding grant starts on 1 September 2026.
Applications must be written in detail and submitted only through the dedicated online platform https://forms.fibrosicisticaricerca.it/en/