Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life Seeks Proposals for Investigator Awards
Established by the Simons Foundation to advance knowledge of the processes that led to the emergence of life, the Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life supports creative, innovative research on topics such as the astrophysical and planetary context of the origins of life, the development of prebiotic chemistry, the assembly of the first cells, the advent of Darwinian evolution, and the earliest signs of life on earth.
To that end, the collaboration will award grants of up to $186,000 over three years to support independent research on topics related to the origins of life at one or more laboratories or research institutions in any country. SCOL is committed to engaging the ideas and creativity of researchers around the world and provides opportunities for investigators to interact with their colleagues in different disciplines and programs. Simons Investigators will be expected to participate fully in SCOL events both online and in person (e.g., webinars, workshops, quarterly meetings and annual symposia). These opportunities are designed to both strengthen the collaboration and provide the most fruitful mechanism for bringing a growing origins-of-life community together. Applications from all origins-related disciplines are encouraged.
Applicants and key collaboratos must hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree and have a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or other research facility. Applications may be submitted by scientists in domestic and foreign nonprofit organizations; public and private institutions such as colleges, universities, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local government; and eligible agencies of the federal government.
First-stage proposals must be received no later than September 12, 2017. Upon review selected applicants will be invited to submit a second-stage proposal by December 1, 2017.
See the Simons Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application procedures.