GUIDELINES The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF)
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German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development
הקרן הגרמנית ישראלית למחקר ופיתוח מדעיים
Deutsch-Israelische Stiftung fuer Wissenschaftliche Forschung und Entwicklung
The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific
Research and Development (GIF)
GUIDELINES
Main Office: 16c King George St., P.O.Box 7008, Jerusalem 91070, Israel
Tel: 972-2-6233814 | Fax: 972-2-6233769 | E-Mail: admin@gif.org.il | Web: www.gif.org.il
Liaison Office: GIF Verbindungsbuero c/o Helmholtz-Zentrum Muenchen, Postfach 1129, 85758 Oberschleissheim, Germany
Tel: 0049-89-3187-3106 | E-Mail: s.weberring@gif.org.il
Introduction by the GIF Director
Table of Contents
1 Introduction by the GIF Director ........................................................................................5
2 Applicants .........................................................................................................................8
2.1 General Introduction .............................................................................................. 8
2.2 Submission Cycles ................................................................................................ 10
2.2.1 GIF Regular Program ................................................................................... 10
2.2.2 GIF Young Scientists’ Program ...................................................................... 10
2.2.3 Important Dates ......................................................................................... 10
2.3 GIF Programs ....................................................................................................... 12
2.3.1 GIF Regular Program ................................................................................... 12
2.3.2 GIF Young Scientists’ Program ...................................................................... 13
2.3.3 GSCP - GIF Sustainability Collaboration Program ............................................ 14
2.3.4 GYSM – GIF Young Scientists’ Meetings......................................................... 15
2.4 Eligibility of Institutions (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program) ....................... 18
2.5 Eligibility of Investigators (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program) ..................... 21
2.5.1 General ...................................................................................................... 21
2.5.2 GIF Regular Program ................................................................................... 21
2.5.3 GIF Young Scientists’ Program ...................................................................... 22
2.6 Scientific Review Process (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program) ..................... 23
2.6.1 GIF’s three layer process of evaluation.......................................................... 23
2.6.2 Criteria for review ....................................................................................... 25
2.6.3 Review process’ feedback ............................................................................ 26
2.7 Required Information and Documents for Submission (GIF Regular and Young
Scientists’ Program) ............................................................................................. 28
2.8 Budget (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program) ............................................... 30
2.9 Research Authority Approval (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program) ............... 32
2.10 Institutional Administrative Endorsement (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’
Program) ............................................................................................................. 33
2.11 Note on Bioethical Certificates of Approval (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’
Program) ..................................................................................................................34
2.12 Resubmission of a proposal (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program).................. 36
2.12.1Proposal Resubmission in GIF Young Scientists' Program ................................ 36
2.13 Submission for a Continuation of an Ongoing Grant (GIF Regular Program) ............... 37
November 2018 2Introduction by the GIF Director
2.14 Electronic Submission (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program) .......................... 38
2.15 Notification on Funding Decisions (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)......... 39
3 Grantees (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)...................................................... 40
3.1 General Information............................................................................................. 41
3.1.1 Grant Notification ....................................................................................... 41
3.1.2 Research Grant Agreements and Documents Required Before Starting. ........... 41
3.1.3 Obligations of the PIs .................................................................................. 43
3.1.4 Records and Inspection ............................................................................... 44
3.2 Payments ............................................................................................................ 46
3.2.1 Payment Sequence, Conditions, and Dates .................................................... 46
3.3 Financial Reports ................................................................................................. 50
3.3.1 Annual and Final Financial Reports ............................................................... 50
3.3.2 Budget Changes .......................................................................................... 53
3.3.3 Delays in Reporting ..................................................................................... 54
3.4 Scientific Reports ................................................................................................. 55
3.4.1 GIF Regular Program – Annual Scientific Progress Reports / Final Scientific
Report ............................................................................................................55
3.4.2 GIF Young Scientists’ Program – Final Scientific Report ................................... 56
3.4.3 Notes on Final Scientific Report for both GIF Programs................................... 57
3.5 Work Plan ........................................................................................................... 58
3.6 Extension of Grants (No Cost Extension) ................................................................ 59
3.6.1 Note on Parental Leave (for GIF Young Scientists’ Program only) .................... 59
3.7 Changes in Status of PIs ........................................................................................ 61
3.7.1 Change of Institutional Affiliation of a PI ....................................................... 61
3.7.2 Sabbatical Leave .............................................................................................62
3.7.3 Withdrawal From a Project (GIF Regular Program only) .................................. 63
3.7.4 Dispute between the Principal Investigators (GIF Regular Program only) ......... 64
3.7.5 Additional Investigator (GIF Regular Program only)........................................ 64
3.7.6 Case of Death (GIF Regular Program only) ..................................................... 64
3.8 Publications and Acknowledgements ..................................................................... 65
3.9 Parallel Funding ................................................................................................... 66
3.10 Patents and Copyrights ......................................................................................... 67
3.11 Bioethical Certificates of Approval ......................................................................... 68
November 2018 3Introduction by the GIF Director
3.11.1GIF Regular Program .......................................................................................68
3.11.2GIF Young Scientists’ Program ...................................................................... 69
3.12 GIF Forms for Download and GIF Logo ................................................................... 70
4 Appendices .....................................................................................................................71
Grant Agreement Regular Program p. 1/2 .............................................................. 71
A. GIF Grant Agreements .......................................................................................... 71
1. Grant Agreement for GIF Regular Program .................................................... 71
Grant Agreement Regular Program p. 2/2 .............................................................. 72
Grant Agreement Young Scientists’ Program p. 1/2 ................................................. 73
2. Grant Agreement for Young Scientists’ Program ............................................ 73
Grant Agreement Young Scientists’ Program p. 2/2 ................................................. 74
B. GIF Budget Codes ................................................................................................. 75
1. Budget Codes GIF Regular Program .............................................................. 75
2. Budget Codes GIF Young Scientists’ Program ................................................. 82
November 2018 4Introduction by the GIF Director
1 Introduction by the GIF Director
Dear Scientists,
The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF) was
established in 1986 by an agreement between the Ministers of Science of the Federal
Republic of Germany and the State of Israel, as an additional instrument
complementing the continuous fruitful ties in scientific and technological cooperation
between the two countries.
Both parties recognize that mutual cooperation in scientific research will strengthen
the bonds of friendship and understanding between the German and Israeli peoples
and advance the state of scientific research and development to the benefit of both
countries. The GIF is highly successful in achieving those goals.
The uniqueness of GIF’s approach is the joint participation and equal responsibility of
both Ministries in financing, management and decision making.
The GIF Board of Governors directing the Foundation consists of an equal number of
German and Israeli distinguished scientists, each an expert in their scientific field, and
is headed by both Ministers of Science.
The GIF administration is headed by a Director appointed by the GIF Board of
Governors, who is responsible for the smooth operating of the Foundation and for its
staffing.
The Foundation has been established as a legal entity by the Israeli Knesset and the
German Bundestag.
GIF's objective is to promote and fund basic and applied scientific research projects of
joint groups from the two countries for peaceful purposes. In addition, the GIF also
offers a special program for scientists doing their first steps in the academia.
November 2018 5Introduction by the GIF Director
Samples of the current GIF Grant Agreements (amended version approved by the GIF
Board of Governors on 18 June, 2014) can be found in appendices A1 (GIF Regular
Program) and A2 (GIF Young Scientists’ Program).
In the Guidelines, you will find all information on the regulations and requirements for
submitting a proposal to the GIF and for active Grants.
Please note: The GIF Guidelines are amended and updated from time to time. Please
visit our website for the most current information. In case of doubt, please contact us
at admin@gif.org.il.
Please note that GIF may reject proposals for administrative reasons if the PIs do not
comply with GIF Guidelines, giving reasonable notice.
Please also note that GIF is entitled to terminate a Grant agreement if the PIs do not
comply with GIF Guidelines, giving a reasonable notice to the applicants about it.
Grantees are not entitled to terminate this Agreement or abandon the research
project without prior written consent from the GIF.
Applicants should be aware that the foundation is able to fund only a relatively small
number of new projects every year. The average success rate for the past 5 years has
been about 20%.
The official language of the Foundation is English. Applications may be submitted in
German, Hebrew or English, but English is preferred to avoid delays due to the need to
translate the proposal and send it to the Principal Investigators for confirmation before
international scientific evaluation can begin. If the delay is such that the evaluation
process cannot be completed until the next GIF Board meeting, the proposal will only
be reviewed two years later when the next appropriate submission cycle in its subject
area comes around. Applicants should also keep in mind that competent scientific
translations are extremely hard to obtain and a poor translation seriously
compromises the chances of a proposal.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@gif.org.il.
November 2018 6Introduction by the GIF Director
I wish you much success in your academic work.
Tali Rosenbaum
Director
November 2018 7Applicants
2 Applicants
2.1 General Introduction
Dear Applicant,
The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development has
established itself over the last almost three decades as one of the most influential
foundations for funding joint academic research between Germany and Israel. It is
highly appreciated by scientists all over the world. This is reflected not only in the high
submission rate and quality of proposals, but also by the fact that leading scientists
throughout the world provide the GIF Scientific Board with expert reviews, ensuring
the high quality of proposals funded. Among our Grantees you can find Nobel
Laureates and other winners of prestigious prizes.
In this section, you will find the guidelines for researchers who want to submit a
proposal to the GIF. Should any questions remain open, please do not hesitate to
contact us at submission@gif.org.il .
Scientists from GIF eligible institutions (see chapter 2.4) who fulfill the eligibility
criteria for GIF investigators (see chapter 2.5) may apply in the appropriate submission
cycles for the GIF Regular Program and Young Scientists’ Program (see chapter 2.2).
Please note the restrictions on submission and resubmission in chapters 2.5 (Eligibility
of Investigators) and 2.12 (Resubmission).
If you are interested in a collaboration project with a partner from the other country,
but have been unable to find a counterpart, we will be happy to assist. Please contact
us by email to science@gif.org.il , add an abstract, key words, a short bio and shortly
describe what you are looking for in your potential partner.
As a rule, each applicant can be a Principal Investigator (PI) in only one proposal at a
time. Applicants to the GIF Regular Program, however, can apply as Cooperating
Investigator (CI) in other proposals as well. For more information please see chapter
2.3 (GIF Programs).
November 2018 8Applicants
GIF will not fund more than one Grant per PI simultaneously. You may, however, apply
for a continuation Grant on the last year of an ongoing Grant. Before starting a new
Grant (even if it is a continuation Grant) you must fulfill all your obligations in the
current Grant. There are no exceptions to this rule.
One last remark: while our funding options are limited, we do hope that even
applicants whose proposal was not granted will find a way to continue to collaborate
with the scientists from the other country.
I wish you much success for your proposal to GIF.
Tali Rosenbaum
Director
November 2018 9Applicants
2.2 Submission Cycles
As per decision by the GIF Board of Governors at their annual meeting 2016, the GIF
has updated the submission cycles in both GIF Programs as follows, starting with the
submission cycle 2016.
For information about both programs, please see chapter 2.3.
2.2.1 GIF Regular Program
Proposals in the GIF Regular Program are accepted in the following submission cycles:
Cycle I (2016, 2019 etc.): Medicine and Social Sciences
Cycle II (2017, 2020 etc.): Life Sciences and Humanities
Cycle III (2018, 2021 etc.): Exact Sciences and Engineering/Technology
Interdisciplinary proposals:
In case of interdisciplinary proposals, the main criteria to define whether a proposal is
suitable for a certain submission cycle is the main research question. You may choose
the submission year you deem most appropriate; please note, however, that the final
decision to accept a proposal for a certain submission cycle rests with the GIF Advisory
Committees. When in doubt whether your proposal fits a given cycle, please send an
email with an abstract to science@gif.org.il.
2.2.2 GIF Young Scientists’ Program
Proposals in the GIF Young Scientists’ Program are accepted in the following
submission cycles:
Cycle I (even years – 2016, 2018, etc.): Exact Sciences, Engineering, and Social
Sciences
Cycle II (uneven years – 2017, 2019, etc.): Medicine, Life Sciences, and Humanities
2.2.3 Important Dates
• The GIF website will be open for submission of proposals from the first week of
August each year, and will be closed during last week of October. The final dates
November 2018 10Applicants
for each submission cycle are published on the GIF homepage www.gif.org.il.
Decisions by the GIF Board are taken by the end of June of the year following the
submission. All applicants are informed then.
• Applicants whose proposal was not approved for funding will receive the reviewers’
comments in July of the year following the submission.
• Starting date of new Grants: 1st January of the year following approval by the GIF
Board.
November 2018 11Applicants
2.3 GIF Programs
2.3.1 GIF Regular Program
The GIF Regular Program supports cooperative research projects conducted jointly by
German and Israeli scientists. Each proposal should include at least one team from
each country. The proposal should be designed for a duration of up to 3 years and shall
concern science and technology for peaceful purposes only.
Applicants (PIs and CIs) must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or MD) or an equivalent
degree and be recognized staff members in an eligible institution.
GIF projects must involve active collaboration between the teams. Their joint research
program must be presented as a single coherent proposal in which the roles and tasks
of all prospective groups are clearly defined. Cooperation may take the form of:
• Interdependent projects conducted in different laboratories (which may involve
different sources of additional funding).
• Sharing of research facilities, materials, equipment and/or services.
• Exchange of scientific knowledge and technological know-how.
• Exchange of junior and senior research personnel.
• Joint responsibility for scientific reporting and publications.
• Joint planning of research and evaluation of results.
• Mutual visits at the partners’ lab/institution are a mandatory part of the program.
Since active collaboration is a prerequisite for proposal, the applicants should
complete all cooperative arrangements required prior to submission.
Priority will be given to teams who collaborate for the first time. Continuations of
ongoing Grants is not be excluded; however, they will have to prove an excellent,
fruitful collaboration and outstanding scientific merit.
Both basic and applied research projects in all scientific fields will be considered
equally with no predetermined quotas.
November 2018 12Applicants
There is no limit to the number of PIs in a GIF proposal.
If more than one Principal Investigator (PI) per institution participate in the same
proposal, GIF advises that one joint budget for all PIs from the same institution is
submitted.
Investigators may be defined as CIs (Cooperating Investigators). CIs may be affiliated
to one of the PIs' institutions or to different ones; they can contribute to the project as
technical experts, advisors or consultants, heading a service lab etc. They have no
administrative or financial responsibilities. Retired academic staff may be included in a
project as CIs.
Each researcher can apply as PI in only one proposal at a time. S/He has,
however, the option to be included as CI in other proposals.
2.3.2 GIF Young Scientists’ Program
The GIF Young Scientists’ Program aims to encourage young scientists and help them
establish first contacts with potential counterparts in Israel or Germany. The Grant
duration is one year. The program supports researchers within 8 years after
completing their Ph.D., M.D., or an equivalent degree (at the starting date of the
Grant), and will give these scientists an opportunity to present themselves and their
research activities in the other country
The GIF Young Scientists’ Program is aimed to scientists without research partner. The
applicants should not have any working relations yet with scientists in the other
country. This program offers a platform to facilitate first contacts between younger
scientists with potential collaborators in the other country, which may later on lead to
a joint proposal within the GIF Regular Program based on this project.
For this purpose, travel to the partner country during the 12 months’ Grant period is
mandatory. The mandatory minimum duration of visit is 7 full working days. An
extended visit of 2 weeks is recommended.
November 2018 13Applicants
GIF projects shall concern science and technology for peaceful purposes only.
Both basic and applied research projects in all areas will be considered equally with no
predetermined quotas.
Each applicant to the GIF Young Scientists' Program can submit only one
proposal at a time. GIF will not consider and/or fund simultaneously more than one
proposal per applicant and/or Grantee. Each applicant can apply ONLY two times to
this program.
2.3.3 GSCP - GIF Sustainability Collaboration Program
In order to enhance future collaboration between GIF’s former Grantees the GIF Board
of Governors has approved the GSCP – GIF Sustainability Cooperation Program for
funding follow-up activities of former GIF Grantees, such as travel for exchange
meetings following a GIF Regular Grant or GIF Young Scientists’ Grant.
Program Description
The GIF Sustainability Cooperation Program (GSCP) will cover the flights,
accommodation for up to 5 overnights during working days and a per diem of up to
EURO 50 per day per person for maximum 5 local working days .
No other expenses will be reimbursed .
The GSCP cannot be used for participation in conferences, scientific meetings or
workshops .
Eligibility
Former GIF Grantees (PIs) and members of their labs/research groups up to two years
after the end date of the GIF Grant .
The GSCP can be used by each PI’s group once only.
The program can be used for meetings conducted in Israel and Germany only.
November 2018 14Applicants
Conditions
The maximum duration of the visit will be up to one week (up to five working days).
The minimal duration of the visit is a net of two working days.
The starting day of the trip can be on the last day of the weekend.
Reservations of the flight tickets and the hotel accommodation will be done by GIF
travel agent only.
The funds can be used for maximum 2 members per lab/research group, including the
PI.
Procedure
The application form (available for download from the GIF website at
http://www.gif.org.il/pages/grantees/forms.aspx ) must arrive at the GIF offices 60
days prior to the actual planned meeting.
The PIs have to fill in the designated form describing the planned follow up activities .
A joint written report describing the details of the meetings conducted is mandatory. It
should arrive at GIF offices up to 14 days after the meeting .
The per diem will be forwarded to the PI/lab member directly by the GIF after the
report was received at the GIF offices.
2.3.4 GYSM – GIF Young Scientists’ Meetings
The aim of the GYSM is to create a platform for younger scholars from both countries
who are doing their first steps in the academia to meet, become acquainted with each
other’s work, learn about funding opportunities, and get the chance to discuss their
ideas with established scientists in their field of research.
Program Description
GIF offers 3 scientific workshops of 3 full days per year, which will take place
alternatingly in Israel and Germany, led by a scientific organizing committee of
prominent scientists from the two countries.
November 2018 15Applicants
Each workshop will be open to up to 30 participants in equal parts from Israel and
Germany.
The program of each GYSM will include working sessions in the morning and
afternoon, plus keynote lectures by established scientists in the evenings.
The detailed program will be coordinated by the scientific organizing committee of
each workshop.
Between the morning and afternoon sessions, the program offers free time for further
personal exchange between the participants.
Travel, accommodation, and meals of the participants will be covered by GIF.
Complimentary tour (for workshops in Israel only):
For workshops taking place in Israel, a complimentary joint 2 day tour of the country is
planned, in order to offer the participants personal impressions and insights into
Israel’s culture and academia.
GYSM Eligibility and Conditions
The GYSM are open to doctoral students in the last stages of obtaining their degree,
and researchers up to 5 years after receiving their PhD, MD, or equivalent degree.
Preference is given to participants who have no prior active funded research
cooperation with scientists in the other country.
There are no limitations for numbers of resubmission to the program.
Participation for the full duration of the workshop is mandatory.
Additional specific criteria for each workshop will be defined by the scientific
organizing committee, and will be published under GIF’s Call for Proposals webpage
http://www.gif.org.il/pages/gif-programs/call-for-proposal.aspx
Selection of participants for GYSM workshops
As the number of participants in each workshop is limited, GIF will not be able to
accept all applicants.
November 2018 16Applicants
It is at the discretion of the members of the scientific organizing committee of each
workshop to select the most appropriate candidates for a synergetic and productive
workshop program.
The decisions of the scientific organizing committee are final and no appeal is possible.
Call for proposals and application form
For the upcoming GYSM call and application form, please see here:
http://www.gif.org.il/pages/gif-programs/call-for-proposal.aspx .
November 2018 17Applicants
2.4 Eligibility of Institutions (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)
According to the 1994 GIF Rules of Procedure set by the GIF Board of Governors, only
Israeli and German scientists from non-profit scientific organizations in the two
countries as detailed below are eligible to submit research proposals to the GIF.
Industrial enterprises (or other research institutions) registered in Israel or Germany
can indirectly participate in GIF Grants as subcontractor , with a separate budget
agreed upon and signed by the parties prior to GIF support; the money to the
subcontractor transferred by the PIs' .
The final decision on the eligibility of any given institution rests with GIF. In cases of
doubt, GIF will be entitled to request written proof that an institution is a recognized
non-profit research entity.
Special note for Israeli applicants: According to the GIF Founding Agreement
of 1986 signed by the Ministers of Science of the Federal Republic of Germany and the
State of Israel, "Projects sponsored by the Foundation in Israel shall be conducted only
within the geographic areas which were under the jurisdiction of the State of Israel
prior to June 5, 1967.”
GIF eligible institutions in both countries are limited to the following:
1. Institutions of Higher Learning:
In Israel:
• All universities and academic colleges accredited by the Planning Budgeting
Committee within The Council for Higher Education (VATAT) as institutions of
higher learning.
In Germany:
• All universities and "Fachhochschulen" who are regular members of the
"Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK)".
November 2018 18Applicants
2. Government Research Institutions and Research Corporations
In Israel:
• All government-owned research institutions and research institutions
affiliated to one of the Government's Chief Scientists' offices.
In Germany:
• All government-owned research institutions.
• All research centers who are members of the HGF (Hermann von Helmholtz-
Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungszentren).
• All members of the WGL (Wissenschaftsgemeinschaft W.G. Leibniz).
3. Public Research Institutions and Research Corporations
In Israel:
• All public research institutions which receive a regular subsidy from the
government, which constitutes an integral part of their annual budget. This
subsidy must appear in the annually published national budget of the State
of Israel.
In Germany:
• All Max-Planck and all Fraunhofer Institutes.
• Research institutes fully owned by one or several German "Laender".
• Consortia involving several of the institutions mentioned under paragraph 1-
3 above, which can yet be defined as non-profit research organizations.
4. Public Hospitals
In Israel:
• All government or publically owned hospitals. The definition of "public"
being that public money is being budgeted to the hospital on an annual
basis, and that representatives of the public are on its board of directors.
November 2018 19Applicants
In Germany:
• All public hospitals recognized as non-profit organizations.
5. EMBL, Heidelberg
• Both German and Israeli scientists temporarily employed at the EMBL may
apply to GIF together with a partner from the opposite country. Since EMBL
is a European Institution, the citizenship of the applicants is the decisive
factor in this case. They may NOT be both employed at the EMBL at the
same time!
November 2018 20Applicants
2.5 Eligibility of Investigators (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)
2.5.1 General
Scientists applying of a GIF Grant must hold a doctoral degree. They must be affiliated
to a GIF eligible institution with a tenure track position or a contract covering the
whole duration of the prospective Grant.
The final decision on the eligibility of any given investigator rests with GIF.
2.5.2 GIF Regular Program
The requirements for academic degree and institutional affiliation apply to both
Principal Investigators (PIs) and Cooperating Investigators (CIs).
Professors emeriti must submit a letter of approval from their institution
together with their proposal, stating that they have a lab at their disposal for the
duration of the prospective grant..
Israeli researchers holding a position at a German institution or German researchers
holding a position at an Israeli institution who wish to submit a proposal in the GIF
Regular Program with a partner from an institution in their home country must have a
contract providing for their position at the German (Israeli) institution until the
prospective finishing date of the Grant. If the joint proposal is approved, the
researcher must submit a corresponding written confirmation by the institution before
the starting date of the Grant.
Current Grantees will be accepted as PIs in a new proposal only if their current project
will be terminated by the prospective starting date of the new Grant, as GIF permits
only one Grant for each PI at a time.
An applicant (PI) may change between the alternating application cycles.
In cases where an applicant for the GIF Regular Program is a current Grantee in the GIF
Young Scientists' Program whose Young Scientists' Grant has not started yet, GIF will
be compelled to revoke the approval of the GIF Young Scientists’ Grant, considering
November 2018 21Applicants
that the purpose of the Young Scientists’ program is to create first contacts in the
other country, whereas a submission to the GIF Regular Program implies contacts
already being established.
Teams of researchers may submit only twice in succession regardless if
their proposal was granted or not.
2.5.3 GIF Young Scientists’ Program
Applicants must be recognized staff members of a GIF-eligible institution.
The GIF Young Scientists’ Grant is not a fellowship Program, and is not intended to
supplement or to be combined with a post-doctoral fellowship from another source.
MDs on an academic tenure track may also apply during their internship period.
The period passed since applicants received their Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree
may not exceed 8 years at the starting date of the Grant.
Applicants should not have any prior working relations with scientists in
the other country; this includes both funded research projects and other forms of
scientific cooperation
Applicants who have previously submitted to the GIF Regular Program as Principal
(PI) or Cooperating (CI) Investigator will not be accepted.
November 2018 22Applicants
2.6 Scientific Review Process (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)
2.6.1 GIF’s three layer process of evaluation
The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development has
established itself over the last two decades as one of the most influential scientific
foundations for funding joint academic research. It is highly appreciated by scientists
all over the world. This is reflected not only in the high submission rate and quality of
proposals, but also by the fact that leading scientists throughout the world provide the
GIF Scientific Board with expert reviews, ensuring the high quality of proposals funded.
Our Grantees include Nobel Laureates and other winners of prestigious prizes.
During the peer review process, many of the proposals submitted are evaluated as
outstanding or excellent. The final funding decisions follow the thoroughly and
carefully considered ranking of the proposals as described below. The number of
Grants allocated each year is determined by the availability of funds, which to our
regret usually does not permit us to fund all outstanding and excellent proposals.
Applicants in such cases are encouraged to resubmit the proposal (for details about
resubmission criteria, please see the chapter “Resubmission”.)
In the evaluation process, GIF employs three scientific layers to ensure that the most
deserving proposals in each cycle are funded. The layers are: reviewers, the scientific
advisory committees and the scientific Board members.
In order to match the most suitable reviewers to each proposal, all proposals are
categorized into scientific fields and are assigned to scientific committees. Each
committee consists of scientific advisors who have broad expertise in the required
scientific area.
GIF’s Scientific Advisors are members of the German and Israeli scientific communities,
appointed upon recommendation by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and
the Israel Science Foundation (ISF).
According to decision by the GIF Board of Governors, the GIF Scientific Advisory
Committees are entitled to recommend to the GIF Scientific Board Members not to
November 2018 23Applicants
accept a proposal for further processing, based on the scientific merit, novelty and
originality of the proposal in comparison with the other proposals within the relevant
Scientific Committee .
Any recommendation not to accept a proposal for further processing will be based on
the unanimous agreement of all the members of the relevant Scientific Advisory
Committee.
The final decision regarding the proposals not recommended for further processing
will be taken by GIF's Scientific Board Members (November of the year of submission.)
Applicants whose proposals were excluded from further processing will receive an
email informing them about the decision.
For all proposals accepted for further processing, GIF’s Scientific Advisors recommend
expert referees from Germany, Israel, and other countries for detailed peer review of
each proposal.
According to a decision by the GIF Board of Governors,
• Each proposal in the GIF Regular Program should be evaluated by at least 3
reviewers.
• Each proposal in the GIF Young Scientists’ Program should be evaluated by at
least 2 reviewers.
The GIF scientific administration sends the proposal to as many reviewers as needed to
meet the requirement of the Board.
Please note: GIF Advisors are entitled to exclude proposals from participating in the
peer review process based on clearly justified formal or scientific reasons, which will
be transmitted to the applicants in a letter informing them of the Advisors' decision.
GIF advisors work in full transparency within the committee. If a conflict of interest
arises, the relevant advisor immediately reports about it and a different advisor steps
in. This is the common practice in GIF as in many other scientific funding agencies.
November 2018 24Applicants
GIF always honors the requests of applicants NOT TO SEND their proposal to
certain referees. However, it is up to the Scientific Advisors to instruct the GIF whether
to approach the reviewers that were suggested by the applicants.
Upon completion of the peer review process, the members of the GIF Advisory
Committees analyze the referees' evaluations and rank all proposals in their respective
field according to scientific merit. At the final stage of the committee work layer, all
advisors in the committee jointly prepare their final suggestions for ranking of all the
proposals. These final recommendations by all committees are submitted to the GIF
Scientific Board Members (for the list of current GIF Board Members, please see
http://www.gif.org.il/pages/about/board-of-governors.aspx ). The suggestions serve
the Scientific Board Members in taking their final decisions.
Decision-making by the GIF Board of Governors is not a simple matter. Taking the
decision about the ranking consumes a lot of thoughtfulness and deliberations, while
taking into considerations all factors involved.
After deliberations at their annual meeting, the GIF Board of Governors make their
decisions. The GIF Board of Governors decisions are final
GIF is committed to prompt evaluation of submitted proposals. Our submission and
review processes are fully electronic. GIF treats the full process starting with the
submitted proposals through the peer review process as confidential. The identities of
reviewers and the scientific advisors are not released.
2.6.2 Criteria for review
The Research proposals submitted to the GIF are evaluated according to the following
criteria (please note that there some differences between the programs):
1. Originality & innovation.
2. Importance & implications.
3. Adequacy of methods.
November 2018 25Applicants
4. Suitability of investigators scientific background to the project.
5. Mode of cooperation between the teams (GIF Regular Program) /Feasibility for
future cooperation (GIF Young Scientists' Program).
6. Budget
• Adequacy of the overall budget
• Adequacy of salaries
• Budget Equipment (if applicable): Is the specified equipment, in all its parts,
essential for the project?
7. Summary (strengths / weaknesses) of the proposal.
Samples of the evaluation form in the GIF Regular Program and in the GIF
Young Scientists’ Program can be downloaded from the GIF website at
http://www.gif.org.il/pages/applicants/scientific-review.aspx
2.6.3 Review process’ feedback
Shortly after the annual Board of Governors meeting, in the 4th week of June, a letter
with the Board of Governors decision (approved or disapproved) is sent to all
applicants. Within a month after the annual Board Meeting, usually in the second
week of July, GIF sends the reviewers' comments (Part A of the review) to all PIs whose
proposal was not approved for funding.
As mentioned above, our peer review process is confidential and identities of
reviewers are not released.
As mentioned above, unfortunately, usually the situation is such that the
foundation has more deserving proposals than available resources. On rare occasions
we receive complaint letters from applicants who feel that since their proposal
received good reviews, it should have been awarded a Grant. Although we sympathize
with them, we kindly ask you to keep in mind while reading the reviewers remarks that
November 2018 26Applicants
the two upper layers of the GIF’s evaluation process, the Scientific Advisory Committee
and also the Scientific Members of the GIF Board of Governors had all the material
(that includes all full proposals, all full reviews, all full grading, rankings and
justifications by the Scientific Advisory Committee) before them when making the
recommendations and while taking the decisions. This includes also a final ranking of
preference for proposals graded as outstanding or excellent.
The decisions of the GIF Board of Governors are final.
November 2018 27Applicants
2.7 Required Information and Documents for Submission (GIF Regular and
Young Scientists’ Program)
The information and documents listed below are required for completing your GIF
proposal.
• Personal Details
• CV
• List of publications of the past 5 years relevant to the proposal.
• Project Abstract
• Project Detailed Description:
For the GIF Regular Program: Background and preliminary results, objectives and
merits of the proposed research, detailed description of the joint research
(including methods and plan of operation), qualifications of the investigators and
the facilities at their disposal, mode of cooperation.
Please note: If a proof of concept is needed for the joint research, it should be
explicitly mentioned in the detailed description. In case the project is approved for
funding, positive proof of concept is prerequisite to the continuation of the Grant
after the first 18 months.
For the GIF Young Scientists’ Program: Background and preliminary results,
objectives, work plan, methods, expected outcome, planned travel to the partner
country.
• Bibliography
• Budget (see chapter “Budget”)
• Project Time schedule (for Regular Program ONLY)
• Letters of Cooperation by the Principal Investigators (PIs) (for GIF Regular Program
ONLY)
Names of potential contacts in the other country to be visited within the project to
present results of the research (for GIF Young Scientists’ Program ONLY)
November 2018 28Applicants
• Bioethical Certificates of Approval where necessary (see chapter “Note on
Bioethical Certificates of Approval”)
• One hardcopy of the proposal with Administrative Endorsement (see chapter
“Administrative Endorsement”)
For detailed instructions on the GIF online submission, please check our step-
by-step manuals “How to fill in your online proposal” for the GIF Regular Program /
GIF Young Scientists’ Program on the GIF website at http://www.gif.org.il/Pages/gif-
programs/getting-started.aspx.
The details presented in the manual “How to fill in your online proposal”
which are effective in the year of application and are a binding part of the Guidelines
to be acknowledged and accepted by GIF applicants.
November 2018 29Applicants
2.8 Budget (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)
As per decision of the GIF Board of Governors in June 2016, the ceiling for requested
budget has been removed, and has been replaced by an average budget.
The average budget for a Grant in the GIF Regular Program (up to 3 years) is EUR
40,000 - EUR 80,000 per year (total for all PIs).
The average budget for a 1-year Grant in the GIF Young Scientists’ Program is EUR
20,000.
The budget will be approved according to the nature and scientific merit of the
proposal.
Therefore, a well justified budget should be part of the research proposal.
GIF differentiates between Theoretical and Experimental research proposals.
Further special attention is given to the novelty and originality of the proposal.
Use of the GIF Grant budget is limited to the items as specified in the information on
Budget Codes for the GIF Regular Program (see Appendix B1) and GIF Young Scientists’
Program (see Appendix B2).
Please note the GIF’s following general regulations:
1. General:
• GIF does not cover administrative overhead.
2. Salaries:
• Principal Investigators (PIs) and Cooperating Investigators (CIs) may not receive
any salary from the Grant budget.
• For researchers employed on the project, no full fellowships/scholarships may be
awarded, only fellowship for specific tasks directly related to the research plan.
• The total work time of researchers employed part-time on a GIF Grant as well as
by their institution may not exceed 100%.
• Salary payments will be based on the local regulations of each country.
November 2018 30Applicants
3. Foreign Travel in GIF Grants is restricted to travel between Germany and Israel.
4. Expenditures for workshops or symposia organized by the PIs / participation in
other conferences can be included only if:
• The event takes place in Israel or Germany and only for participants from Israel/
Germany.
• The subject is directly related to the GIF-supported project.
• The researcher(s) give a presentation.
• The program of the meeting showing its relevance to the GIF Grant, anticipated
cost, and presentation of the Grant work by the PIs at the meeting is provided to
GIF in advance.
5. Equipment:
• Purchase of equipment (over EUR 3,000 per item) is limited to the following time
frame within the original project period:
GIF Regular Program:
♦ 1-year grant: within the first 3 months
♦ 2-year grant: within the first 12 months
♦ 3-year grant: within the first 18 months.
GIF Young Scientists’ Program: within the first 3 months.
In the GIF Regular Program, cost sharing by the PI’s institution is required for
equipment over EUR 15,000.
In the GIF Young Scientists’ Program, the total budget for equipment is limited to
EUR 5,000.
• Purchase of computers/laptops is limited to 1 per group at a maximum price of
EUR 1,200 each.
6. Professional Literature:
• Purchase of professional literature is limited to EUR 500 per year per PI (GIF
Regular Program) / EUR 500 total (GIF Young Scientists’ Program).
November 2018 31Applicants
2.9 Research Authority Approval (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)
Applicants need to obtain an approval from their Research Authority in order to
submit the proposal to the GIF. You will not be able to submit the proposal to the GIF
without Research Authority approval.
The electronic submission system is designed to send an automatic request to the
relevant Research Authority for each applicant (PI/CI). If you are not approved by your
Research Authority within a reasonable time, we advise you to contact your Research
Authority directly. The best way to check it is by clicking on the "monitor my progress"
in your electronic submission.
For German PIs: For this purpose, services of Research Authority are given by GIF
Liaison Office, when needed please contact: s.weberring@gif.org.il
For Israeli PIs: Please contact the Research Authority of your institution. For your
convenience a list of the relevant contacts can be found here:
http://www.gif.org.il/Pages/Research-Authorities-Israel.aspx . Please note that the list
may not be fully complete.
The approval (by the Research Authority or the GIF Liaison Office) must be given
before completing the electronic submission of the proposal to GIF (see chapter
“Electronic Submission”).
The approval can be obtained at any time after opening the proposal.
You can continue to fill in the proposal while approval by the Research Authority (or
the GIF Liaison Office) is pending; however, as it is a mandatory request, you will not
be able to submit the proposal to the GIF without their approval.
In the GIF Regular Program, Research Authority or GIF Liaison Office Approval is
required for both Principal Investigators (PIs) and Cooperating Investigators (CIs). If
you engage a CI in your proposal, please let them know that such an approval is
needed.
November 2018 32Applicants
2.10 Institutional Administrative Endorsement (GIF Regular and Young
Scientists’ Program)
One hard copy (signed and stamped by the authorized body of your Institution) has to
be sent to the GIF Offices.
The hard copy must bear the signature of all the PI(s) as well as the Administrative
endorsement i.e. signature and stamp of all PIs’ institution(s) on the cover page of the
proposal hardcopy, by which is confirmed that the administration of the institution
that you are affiliated to is informed about the planned research project and approves
that the project is carried out and administered by the institution if funded.
The signed proposal must be received at the GIF offices by November 20th (year of
submission). Otherwise, the proposal may not be evaluated and be delayed to the next
relevant submission cycle.
We do understand that sometimes due to external reasons the signed proposal does
not reach our offices on time and there are some delays. In order to ensure including
your proposal in the evaluation process we suggest that A scan of the proposal cover
page only with all signatures will be sent by mail to submission@gif.org.il within the
due date [i.e. no later than November 20th (year of submission)] before sending the
full proposal by regular mail. GIF will confirm receipt of the scanned cover page by
email - please remember to check your inbox to make sure that you have received this
confirmation.
If you do not hold a confirmation letter from the GIF for accepting the
proposal by regular mail OR for accepting the scanned first signed page of the full
proposal it means that the GIF did not receive your proposal OR the mail.
Please send the hardcopy of the full proposal with all original signatures and institution
stamps via AIRMAIL to:
GIF Main Office
P.O. Box 7008
Jerusalem 91070
ISRAEL
November 2018 33Applicants
2.11 Note on Bioethical Certificates of Approval (GIF Regular and Young
Scientists’ Program)
You must indicate in your research proposal if any of the ethical approvals listed is
needed to conduct your research.
In case your proposal will be approved for funding the following applies:
It is an obligation of the Grantees to assure that GIF-supported research is conducted
in accordance with the highest ethical standards and all applicable laws and
regulations. The research must be carried out in a manner that minimizes detrimental
effects on humans, animals, plants, and the environment.
To be approved by the GIF, all research proposals must fully comply with the Helsinki
Committee standards and/or all rules, regulations, and ethical codes which have been
enacted by the governments and/or empowered authorities in Germany and Israel.
It is the primary responsibility of the researchers to assure compliance with restrictions
in Israel and Germany and to obtain all necessary permits prior to the implementation
of a GIF Grant. The GIF will not be held responsible or legally liable in the event of non-
compliance and/or negligence and/or any kind of violation of such regulations.
PIs whose projects involve research on human stem cells will have to ensure that all
project partners comply with the regulations in force in both countries. Since these
regulations are still under discussion, applicants will have to keep themselves informed
and submit the required documentation in full before the approved Grant can be
implemented. Without the necessary approval, the GIF Grant cannot start.
For experiments on animals, the agreement of the relevant institution's official
commission on animal experimentation, pertinent to the proposal, must be submitted.
Applicants who are planning to conduct clinical trials of any kind must describe these
tests in detail and include the appropriate permits in the proposal.
November 2018 34Applicants
The relevant bioethical approvals must be marked in the electronic
submission of the proposal. In case the proposal is approved, (an) up to date
approval/s must be provided in English, on the stationery of the relevant authorities
(see chapter 3.11 for Grantees section of the Guidelines.)
November 2018 35Applicants
2.12 Resubmission of a proposal (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)
Researchers whose proposal was not accepted for funding have the option to submit
an amended and updated proposal in the next appropriate submission cycle.
If you decide to resubmit your proposal to the GIF, the proposal number of the
previous submission is to be included in the new proposal.
Please note that each proposal can be resubmitted only once.
2.12.1 Proposal Resubmission in GIF Young Scientists' Program
Proposals in the GIF Young Scientists' Program may be resubmitted only on the
condition that
1. The applicant still fulfills the submission criteria for the Young Scientists’
Program of no more than 8 years after PhD diploma at the starting date of
the project.
2. The applicant did not submit a proposal previously to the GIF Regular
Program.
Applicants may submit only twice to the GIF Young Scientists’ Program.
November 2018 36Applicants
2.13 Submission for a Continuation of an Ongoing Grant (GIF Regular Program)
Continuation proposals can be submitted in the GIF Regular Program only. If the
team choses to submit a continuation proposal they should notify GIF during the
ongoing grant, and also indicate in the proposal that the proposal is a continuation of
an ongoing grant. For proposal submitted for continuation of an ongoing Grant, the
scientific advisor and the GIF Scientific Board members will receive, in addition to the
reviewers' evaluation, the latest joint scientific report of the current active Grant.
This scientific report should be received by GIF to science@gif.org.il no later than 30th
January the year after the continuation proposal was submitted. Otherwise, the
continuation proposal may not be considered and may be postponed to the next
relevant submission cycle.
November 2018 37Applicants
2.14 Electronic Submission (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’ Program)
Proposals to the GIF are submitted ONLY electronically via a secured website.
In order to open your GIF proposal, you first need to register on the GIF submission
website and create a new proposal.
The step-by-step Proposal Manual on how to register and how to fill in
your online proposal for the GIF Regular Program / GIF Young Scientists’ Program can
be downloaded at http://www.gif.org.il/Pages/gif-programs/getting-started.aspx
System requirements for the GIF proposal website:
For PC users: For MAC users:
Operating system: WIN 7, WIN 8.1 WIN Vista Operating system: MAC OS X
Browser: IE 7+, Firefox, Chrome Browser: 3+
Actions: Add the site to the Trusted Sites list Resolution: 1024*768
and allow pop-ups for this site
November 2018 38Applicants
2.15 Notification on Funding Decisions (GIF Regular and Young Scientists’
Program)
Shortly after the annual Board of Governors meeting usually taking place in the end of
June/beginning of July, a letter with the final decision (approved or disapproved) is
sent to all applicants. For the Israelis scientists a copy is sent also to their research
authorities.
The decisions of the GIF Board of Governors are final and no appeal is
possible.
Within a month after the annual Board Meeting, usually in the second week of July,
GIF automatically sends the reviewers' comments (Part A of the review) to all PIs
whose proposal was not approved for funding.
Our peer review process is confidential and the identities of the
reviewers and the advisors are kept as such.
November 2018 39You can also read
