The FEBS Booster Fund supports early-career academic researchers who have a substantive position (i.e. Assistant Professor level or equivalent) in the FEBS area by providing funding for research equipment and consumables over a 1-year period. Before applying, read the Frequently Asked Questions listed below.

For which topics is a FEBS Booster Fund granted?
Only applications aimed at furthering the molecular life sciences are considered.

Can a scientist who is not a member of a FEBS Constituent Society apply for a Booster Fund?
No, only members of a FEBS Constituent Society are eligible to apply. Applications submitted without a letter from the appropriate FEBS Constituent Society confirming that the applicant is a member and indicating the date on which the applicant joined the Society, are automatically discarded.

How does one become a member of a FEBS Constituent Society?
The full list of FEBS Constituent Societies can be found here. To join a FEBS Constituent Society, please contact that Society directly. The Excellence Awards and Fellowships Committee has no influence on this matter. Potential applicants should therefore not contact the Committee about this.

What is a FEBS country?
A FEBS country is a country where there is a FEBS Constituent Society. The full list of these Societies can be found here.

Is it possible to apply for a FEBS Booster Fund for a lab in Australia, USA, etc.?
FEBS is a European Federation and the FEBS Booster Fund is exclusively for work to be carried out in countries where there is a FEBS Constituent Society – the full list of these countries can be found here. Countries such as Australia and the USA do not belong to the FEBS area and scientists wishing to work there cannot apply for a FEBS Booster Fund.

Is it possible for a member of a FEBS Constituent Society, not currently working in a FEBS country, to apply for a FEBS Booster Fund in the FEBS area?
No, this is not possible as the applicant must be employed in a salaried capacity by the Host Institution (Host Institution means university or a research centre) in a FEBS country – i.e. must be in a salaried capacity in the Host Institute for at least the duration of the Booster Fund.

Is there any restriction on the nationality of an applicant?
No, there is no restriction on the nationality of applicants.

Is it possible for a national of a given country to seek a FEBS Booster Fund to work in his/her country?
Yes, a national of a given country may seek a FEBS Booster Fund to work in his/her country.

If the proposed Host Institution is already hosting a FEBS Booster Fund recipient, is it possible to apply for a FEBS Booster Fund?
Yes, a potential candidate may apply for a FEBS Booster Fund even though the proposed Host Institution is already hosting a FEBS Booster Fund. However, FEBS will grant no more than one Booster Fund to any Host Institution per call.

Is it possible for a past recipient of a FEBS Long-Term Fellowship to apply for a FEBS Booster Fund, if the latter is to be used for work at the same Host Institution?
No. Past holders of a FEBS Long-Term Fellowship may apply to a FEBS Booster Fund only if the visit with the Long-Term Fellowship was carried out in a Host Institution different from that of the FEBS Booster Fund Project Proposal to FEBS.

Is it possible for a past recipient of a FEBS Short-Term Fellowship to apply for a FEBS Booster Fund, if the latter is to be used for work at the same host laboratory/department/institute?
Yes, this is possible provided that the visit with the Short-Term Fellowship was completed more than 24 months prior to the date of application for a FEBS Booster Fund.

Can the references to publications or the lists of representative papers of the applicant and host laboratory/department/institute be submitted separately to the outline of the proposed investigation (which is to be on no more than ten A4-sized pages of single-spaced text)?
No, the references to publications are to be included in the ten A4-sized pages giving the outline of the proposed investigation. This also applies to both lists of representative papers, from the applicant and of the host laboratory/department/institute. Please note the maximum file size of 1 MB, and the minimum top and bottom margins of 2 cm and 2.5 cm, respectively, and a font size not smaller to the equivalent of 10pt Times New Roman.

Can the outline of the proposed investigation include figures and diagrams?
Yes, the outline of the proposed investigation may include figures and diagrams if these illustrations help describe the project. In this case, the proposal must still consist of ten A4-sized pages of single-spaced text. Please note the maximum file size of 1 MB, and the minimum top and bottom margins of 2 cm and 2.5 cm, respectively, and a font size not smaller to the equivalent of 10pt Times New Roman.

Can papers submitted but not yet accepted for publication be included in the list of publications given in an applicant’s curriculum vitae?
Only published papers or papers deposited in bioRxiv or similar international preprint repositories may be mentioned in the applicant’s list of publications.

May applicants update their application after the closing date for applications?
No, applicants may not update their application after the closing date for applications. However, letters of acceptance for papers submitted to journals for review before the closing date will be taken into consideration.

Can a scientist receiving a grant from other sources be in parallel the recipient of a FEBS Booster Fund?
The scheme is not for supplementing ongoing research already covered by substantial research grants or other large awards. In particular, current or past FEBS Excellence Awards holders are not eligible to apply.

Can the FEBS Booster Fund be used to cover the researcher’s salary?
No, the FEBS Booster Fund is to be used exclusively to purchase equipment and/or consumables. It is expected that the researcher’s salary is already secured by the Host Institution or by another research grant. If, however, the scientist’s salary for his/her stay at the Host institution is not secured for the duration of the award, then a FEBS Booster Fund cannot be granted.

Does the Chairperson of the Excellence Awards and Fellowships Committee acknowledge receipt of an application for a Booster fund when it is received?
After submitting their application, candidates will receive an automated e-mail confirming successful submission.

How many FEBS Booster Funds are given per call?
The number of FEBS Booster Funds given per call will depend on the quality of applications and the allocated budget.