The Ministry of University and Research has published the first Italian Science Fund call for proposals (in Italian).

In 2021 project proposals to develop fundamental research activities will be supported with 50 million euros.

The Call provides for two different funding schemes:

• Starting Grant: aimed at up-and-coming researchers (PIs Junior), with a PhD qualification, obtained no less than 2 years ago and no more than 10 years ago and with a potential for scientific independence to be highlighted in the proposals. For applicants with no PhD qualification, medical specialisation will be considered as a minimum requirement for eligibility to the procedure in the LS macro-sector. Selected projects will be awarded a capital grant corresponding to the total eligible costs of up to 1 million euros. The total funding value of the Starting Grant scheme is 20 million euros.
• Advanced Grant: aimed at well-known researchers in their field (PIs Senior), aged up to 65 years at the time of submission of the proposal. Researchers who have been active for more than 10 years, must be acknowledged as leaders in the research field related to their project proposal. Selected projects will be awarded a capital grant corresponding to the total eligible costs of up to 1.5 million euros. The total funding value of the Advanced Grant scheme will be 30 million euros.

The Call is open to researchers of any nationality, and the project proposals funded must last 5 years; for the purchase of equipment, within the LS (Life Sciences) and PE (Physical sciences and Engineering) Macro-sectors, it will be possible to request an additional contribution (up to 500.000 euros).

Funding applications will be assessed in two stages:

• The CNVR will carry out the first phase. Help from external experts with high scientific qualifications might be required.
• In the second phase, three anonymous and independent external revisers identified by the CNVR among highly qualified scientific experts will assess the project in its entirety.

Principal Investigators of projects exceeding the minimum thresholds outlined in the two phases will be invited for an interview in English by members of the CNVR assisted, if necessary, by experts.

PLEASE NOTE: SMALL CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE PROCEDURE. PLEASE READ "SLIDE WEBINAR" AND "SUMMARY SHEET" (BOTH IN ITALIAN) FOR MORE DETAILS. 

Applications in English must be submitted online, starting at 12 noon on October 26, 2021, and no later than 12 noon on December 27, 2021.

For further information, please mail the Ufficio Promozione e Servizi di Supporto per le Iniziative di Ricerca, Settore Bandi di ricerca nazionali e di Ateneo (Research Promotion and Support Services Office, University and National Calls Unit) at ufficioricerca@uniroma1.it.