ISF: Breakthrough Research Program (MAPATS) for established researchers with 10 years or more from first academic appointment

Registration (MANDATORY) by - 26.10; ISF submission by 9.11

ISF has announced the renewal of MAPATS program, designed to provide large-scale support (up to 4M NIS over 5 years) for basic, high-quality, groundbreaking and high-risk/high-gain research, in all scientific fields.

Submission date is not known yet but will coincide with the Personal ISF Research Grant, expected in early November.

The success rate is estimated at 10% (compared to ~35% in standard personal ISF grant)

Eligibility:

• Researchers with academic experience of 10 years or more. Each proposal will be submitted by only one PI.

Main criteria:

• PI's research record (especially research activity in the last 10 years),
• Proposal quality and suitability (risk versus high benefit ...),
• Originality and innovation of the research proposal

Budget:

Up to 800K NIS per year for up to 5 years. The Equipment request may amount to 50% of the total budget.

Restrictions:

• It is NOT possible to submit proposals for the Personal Research Grants and the MAPATS program at the same time.  
• A researcher with an active Personal Grant will be allowed to apply for this program on a substantially different topic. If the application is approved, the balance of the active grant will be canceled.
• In case the active Personal Grant has additional PIs, a confirmation of consent (to the possibility of grant cancellation) must be attached to the proposal.
• The ISF has set a certain quota on the number of application from each academic institution, and therefore an Institutional Internal Submission Procedure is required.

Institutional Internal Submission Procedures (deadline 29.9):

Due to the restriction on the number of submissions from each institution, the Technion will conduct a preliminary selection process.  

Researchers wishing to apply for MAPATS grant should submit a preliminary proposal (in English), according to the following structure

1. Scientific abstract of the research program (one page)
2. Scientific questionnaire (up to 2 pages)

• What are you trying to do in the research? List the research objectives in simple language without professional terms
• How is it done today and what are the current limitations?
• What is the innovation in your approach and why do you think it will succeed?
• Who cares? If the research is successful, what change will it cause?
• What are the risks and benefits?
• At this stage of my career, am I a suitable researcher for international competition in this field?
• Why does my research proposal require such significant financial funding?
• Why am I the right person to do the research?

3. Resume Questionnaire (up to 2 pages): The following points should be listed with reference to the last 10 years only

• 10 publications as lead author (including number of citations)
• Invited lectures and organization of international conferences (please specify in which frame, location and date)
• Supervision of outstanding young researchers (name of the student, date of receipt of the doctorate, current activity)
• Major achievements, innovation and breakthroughs
• Prizes and grants

Full program details (as for 2021): https://www.isf.org.il/#/support-channels/50/10

The preliminary proposals should be sent by Wednesday, 28/9/2022 to: ra-tec@trdf.technion.ac.il