In astronomy the Horizon is the farthest point that you can see when looking forward. The Zenith is the highest point in the sky when looking upwards. For NGI, both Horizon and Zenith represent visionary research beyond present borders.
Objectives of the Horizon programme
The Horizon programme is set up as a breeding ground for talented researchers active in genomics and/or bioinformatics. It aims to:
- focus on the development of individual talented researchers
- support innovative research
- stimulate valorisation of research results
Horizon seeks to offer early career genomics and bioinformatics researchers attractive career prospects within academia and research institutions by stimulating and supporting them to set up or expand their own research area and research group.
Horizon aims to promote and coordinate outstanding and visionary fundamental research by offering researchers the freedom to realize their ideas and concepts beyond existing disciplines. The research supported by the Horizon programme is future-oriented. Researchers are given the opportunity to respond rapidly to new hypotheses or technologies.
In addition, the Horizon programme seeks to achieve valorisation of the results obtained in the research projects. Project leaders are therefore expected to adopt an active attitude towards valorisation.
First round of Zenith Projects
The Horizon programme is set up in 2 phases.
In the first phase, researchers were given the opportunity to show their talent during a short research project: the Breakthrough project. The objective of these projects is to explore innovative ideas and establish proof-of-concept. Three rounds of Breakthrough projects have been launched, with calls for proposals in 2008 and 2009. A total of 93 Breakthroug projects have been awarded. No further rounds of Breakthroug projects will we organized.
In the second phase, researchers with proven talent (either by means of a successful Breakthough projects or otherwise) may apply for a larger research project: the Zenith project. To be eligible for a Zenith project, a proof-of-concept is required. Zenith projects are aimed at elaborating a proven concept into a mature research line and supporting talented researchers to set up or expand their own research group.
What can be applied for?
Zenith projects offer funding for long-term research projects that are aimed at elaborating a proof of concept into a mature research line and will help talented researchers set up or expand their own research group. Eligibility for a Zenith project therefore depends on a proof of concept.
The duration of a Zenith project is at least 4 year and at most 5 years. A maximum regular budget of € 400.000 per Zenith project can be applied for. If the proposal includes research in the field of bioinformatics, the regular budget may be extended to a maximum total of € 500,000.
Submission
The submission deadline is 4 October 2010. Application forms can be downloaded from the ZonMw website and should be submitted through the ZonMw ProjectNet system. For further submission details, please download the call document.