Second Call generates 57 Proposals for SystemsX.ch projects

The Second Call for SystemsX.ch projects resulted in 57 proposals, 25 less than last year. The deadline was midnight January 15, 2009.

19 Research, Technology and Development (RTD) Project proposals from 8 different hosting institutions were submitted. For this Call, SystemsX.ch plans to fund about 5-6 RTD projects with up to CHF 28 Mio. The institutions of scientists supported are required to contribute the same amount, summing up to a total resource volume for research of about 50 and 60 million Swiss francs.

This round of research promotion focuses on the development of future-oriented technology for Systems Biology and on projects at the interface of bio-medical research as well as genomics.

In addition, 22 proposals for Interdisciplinary PhD Projects (IPhD) and 16 applications for Interdisciplinary Pilot Projects (IPP) were submitted. A variety of the SystemsX.ch partner institutions as well as the Systems Biology disciplines is represented.

Evaluated by SNF

Proposals for RTDs and IPhDs are evaluated by an international Review Panel of the Swiss National Science Foundation, whereas IPPs are subject to approval by the SystemsX.ch's Scientific Executive Board.

A preliminary decision about the approval of projects will be taken end of April/beginning of May 2009. Subsequently, the SystemsX.ch Board of Directors will meet to make final decisions on the RTD-projects based on the commitments about each institution's own contributions. The final approval of all RTD-, IPhD-, and IPP-projects will hence be given end of June. The approved projects are expected to start in the second half of the year 2009. (thm/AK)