Fund Details
Simons Investigators in the Mathematical Modeling of Living Systems (MMLS) 2019 - SEAS Competition
Nominations Available to Institution
2
Sponsor Deadline
10/31/2018

Brief Description:

The MMLS program aims to support theoretical approaches making important contributions to the life sciences and, thus, to foster a scientific culture of theory-experiment collaborations similar to that prevailing in physics. To encourage researchers to pursue this endeavor, the MMLS program will provide a long-term, stable base of support, enabling a focus on model-based approaches to important issues in the life sciences

Description:

The MMLS program aims to support theoretical approaches making important contributions to the life sciences and, thus, to foster a scientific culture of theory-experiment collaborations similar to that prevailing in physics. To encourage researchers to pursue this endeavor, the MMLS program will provide a long-term, stable base of support, enabling a focus on model-based approaches to important issues in the life sciences.

A broad spectrum of research areas within the life sciences will be considered, ranging from cellular-level issues of organization, regulation, signaling and morphogenic dynamics to the properties of organisms and ecology, as well as neuroscience and evolution; however, preference will be given to areas in which modeling approaches are less established and, for this reason, bioinformatics- and genomics-related proposals fall outside the scope of the program. In all cases, preference will be given to work developing deep theoretical ideas relevant to experiments, suggesting new questions and new classes of experiments, introducing important, new concepts, and explaining data.

Theory must connect with experiment, and candidates should articulate their own views about the nature of this connection, rather than accepting conventional wisdom; theory is more than data analysis.

An Investigator will receive research support in an amount initially set at $100,000 per year. An additional $10,000 per year will be provided to the Investigator’s department. The Investigator's institution will receive an additional 20 percent per year in indirect costs.

Application Information:

This is a limited submission funding opportunity. SEAS will hold an internal competition to select two nominees to be considered in the University-wide competition. SEAS applicants must submit an internal pre-proposal online by August 20, 2018 by 5:00PM. To begin an application, click APPLY at the top right corner of this page. 
 
All pre-proposals must contain the following:
  • Nomination letter (two-page limit) written and signed by the nominator (a relevant university official, for example, a department chair or dean) on letterhead, explaining the distinctive scientific contributions of the nominee and including discussion of a few important papers. The letter should be addressed to the Simons Foundation. Co-signed letters are acceptable within the page limit.
  • A letter of support from a senior scientist (two-page limit). The letter can be a co-signed letter from the nominee’s Ph.D. and postdoc advisors or can be from another scientist familiar with the nominee’s recent work and research goals. The letter should be signed on letterhead and indicate the nominee’s most significant research accomplishments and provide insight into the nominee’s research program and likely future scientific trajectory. The letter should be addressed to the Simons Foundation. Note that a second letter will be required if the candidate is selected to submit a full proposal to the Simons Foundation.
  • The nominee’s curriculum vitae, including email address, Ph.D. year, institution, advisor, postdoctoral institutions and advisors, positions held subsequent to award of doctorate and the nominee’s up-to-date publication list. 
  • A research statement prepared by the nominee that outlines the nominee's research vision and plans (two-page limit; references and figures do not need to be included in the page limit but should not exceed an additional page).
If selected as a Harvard nominee, further application instructions will be provided.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • An investigator must have a primary appointment as a faculty member at a United States or Canadian educational institution and the primary department affiliation must have a Ph.D. program.
  • An investigator must not previously have been a Simons Investigator.
  • At the time the award is made (August 1, 2019), an Investigator should be in the early stages of an academic career and must be within ten years of the start of his/her first faculty position. Exceptions may be made for time taken for maternity/paternity leave.

Search Filters:
Institution
  • Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
    Position
    • Assistant Professor
    • Associate Professor
    • Professor
      Type of Competition
      • Limited Submission
        Discipline
        • Basic Science
        • Engineering
        • Life Science
        • Multidisciplinary
        • Physical Science
        • Other
          Type of Award
          • Career Development
          • Early Career
          • Fellowship
          • Prize/Award
          • Research
            Begin Accepting Applications Date:
            7/16/2018
            Deadline Date (EST Time Zone):
            8/20/2018 5:00 PM