R&D Pilot Project Awards

From time to time, Instruct publishes calls for small scale pilot research projects in integrated structural biology. Resources are allocated to support a limited number of pilot studies proposed by researchers from Instruct member countries. Pilot projects may be funded up to a maximum of €15,000. The funds are expected to cover research expenses but not normally salaries or overheads. The intent of this support is to help researchers develop external funding for projects, i.e. the expectation is that a pilot study will lead to a grant submission to national or international funding bodies.

Specifications for R&D Projects

The study should be of limited scope and have well defined objectives. Ordinarily, a pilot study should be completed within one year. Proposed projects should be consistent with the Instruct objectives of using an integrated approach to structural cell biology and accordingly must include the use of at least two service/technology in the Instruct access catalogue to undertake the research proposed.

A short proposal is required for the initiation of a pilot study. Proposals will be peer reviewed and funding decisions will be taken by the Instruct Executive Committee. Comments on the proposal will be available to the applicant. Proposals should have the approval of a Principal Researcher at the applicant’s Institution or Department.

At the conclusion of a pilot study and within one year of the project start, a researcher must submit a progress report to the Instruct Executive Committee. On the basis of this report a researcher may exceptionally seek to extend the pilot study. As before, the approval decision will rest with the Executive Committee.

Calls for R&D Projects

The R&D call for 2020 is now closed.

To receive notifications about future R&D Pilot Project calls, please register for Instruct-ERIC membership, whereby you will be added to our mailing list, and all set up to apply.

Recipients of past R&D Project Funding