HFSPO welcomes Singapore as new contributing country to the Program

The Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) is pleased to welcome Singapore as a new contributing country to the Program. Singapore's entry into the HFSPO was decided at the Board of Trustees meeting on 18th March in Strasbourg, France. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by HFSPO President Prof. Nobutaka Hirokawa took place in Lugano, Switzerland, on 5 July 2014 and was completed by the signature of Prof. Teck Seng Low, Chief Executive Officer, National Research Foundation, Singapore, on 15 July 2014 in Singapore. HFSPO President, Prof. Nobutaka Hirokawa, welcomed Singapore as its 15th member on the occasion of the Program's 25th anniversary celebration in Lugano, Switzerland, commenting that "Singapore based scientists have already participated successfully in the grant and fellowship programs. We are happy that Singapore will now take an active role in the development of the Program."

Professor Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker, Secretary General of HFSPO was excited about the new prospect saying that "the Program has expanded considerably with the membership of Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and India. We are certain that the accession of Singapore to membership of HFSP will strengthen the global presence of our unique Organization and will honor the growing scientific strength of the Asia-Pacific region. The outstanding quality and support of life science research in Singapore will ensure that its scientists make major contributions to the science funded by HFSP."

Scientists from Singapore will be able to apply as Principal Investigators in the coming research grant award cycle at the end of 2014 and are encouraged to take full advantage of their new status by initiating international, interdisciplinary collaborations.

The Human Frontier Science Program Organization was founded in 1989 to support international research and training at the frontier of the life sciences. Until now, it has been supported by contributions from the G7 nations, together with Switzerland, Australia, India New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea and the European Union. With its collaborative research grants and postdoctoral fellowship programs, the program has approved over 4000 awards involving more than 6600 scientists from all over the world during the 25 years of its existence. The HFSPO supports research at the interface between life sciences and the natural sciences and engineering and places special emphasis on creating opportunities for young scientists.