SFI President of Ireland Young Researcher Award Programme FAQs
1. How should the research body identify candidates who are adequately qualified for the President of Ireland Young Researcher award?
For this highly prestigious competition SFI expects the research body to seek the very best early career scientists who want to pursue research in Ireland.
2. Is the President of Ireland Young Researcher award directed primarily towards Irish graduates?
No. Through this award, SFI will identify the most promising of a new generation of top-tier cutting edge researchers in fields that are critical to Ireland's economic and social prosperity. SFI expects a diverse group of nominees, including Irish and foreign nationals, currently based anywhere in the world, who will conduct their research in Ireland.
3. What does SFI consider as the official date of a PhD/MD award?
The official date is defined as the year that the degree was conferred, i.e. the year printed on the official PhD/MD certificate. Verification of this official date by the awarding research body must be available upon request. The number of years since the degree is defined from the date of submission to SFI of the original Expression of Interest. That is, those wishing to apply in 2011 for the PIYRA programme, which requires candidates to be 3-8 years post PhD, must have been conferred with their degrees in the period 2003-2008.
4. Are permanent members of staff eligible for the President of Ireland Young Researcher award?
Yes. Both permanent and contract staff are eligible for nomination by a Research Body, provided all other eligibility criteria are fulfilled.
5. Can permanent academic staff request salary i.e. buyout of their time for the duration of the grant?
No. SFI does not contribute to the salary of permanent academic faculty staff within Irish Research Bodies who are in receipt of salaries from the Research Body. An independent non-academic /non-faculty contract researcher is eligible to apply for salary according to the SFI Grant Application Budget Policy.
6. Can supplementary information not solicited in the call be included with the proposal?
Only requested information should be submitted. Additional information may cause your application to be returned without review.
7. May a President of Ireland Young Researcher Award applicant apply in parallel for other SFI research awards?
No. Individuals may not submit an application (as PI or co-PI) to any of the following programmes whilst under active review under the PIYRA Programme: SFI PI, SFI PICA, SFI Research Professor Recruitment, SFI RFP, Stokes. Please refer to individual call documentation for additional information
8. Do PIYRA applicants have to have an existing relationship with the nominating research body?
This prestigious award is aimed at recruiting the best young scientists from around the world including Ireland. No pre-existing relationship is necessary.
9. What employment contract would a successful PIYRA awardee receive?
PIYRA awardees will be employees of the nominating Research Body. While any contract should be consistent with SFI's Terms & Conditions, employment contracts should be negotiated between the PIYRA applicant and the nominating Research Body.
10. Can a recipient of a Stokes Lectureship apply for a President of Ireland Young Researcher Award?
No. Applicants to the PIYRA programme must not have previously received an SFI award, including a Stokes lectureship (excludes Waltons, Young Women in Engineering Scholarship, UREKA supplement). As both the PIYRA and Stokes Lectureship programmes aim to recruit world class scientists to Irish universities, the recipient of a Stokes Lectureship is therefore not eligible to apply to the PIYRA programme.
11. Can the research body's contribution to the programme be in a form other than salary (for example, research costs)?
No. The research body must undertake to provide at least 50% of the successful applicant's salary over the course of their PIYRA. The research body may, however, elect to gradually increase their contribution over the course of the award, rather than contributing 50% each year.
These FAQs will be updated as queries are received.
