In addition to the R&D call for early career researchers (ECR), for the first time in 2024, Instruct offers funding for projects in technology development (TechDev) on two specific topics up to a maximum of €30,000 per project.   

All proposals must include the use of technologies available at Instruct Centres or develop technologies that will benefit the aims of Instruct and become available at Instruct Centres. The evaluation of the proposal will consider the previous academic track record in methods and technology development of the applicant. Applicants will be asked to select one of the two topics below in the application form: 

Topic 1: Sample preparation  

Sample preparation technologies to improve methodologies for the synthesis of proteins, DNA or RNA for structural biology studies. Proposals could include but are not limited to new methods for introducing post-translational or post-transcriptional modifications or new tagging strategies enabling novel structural biology studies. 

Topic 2: Data management 

Management or analysis of data generated either by structural biology or computational methods that need to be represented by ensembles of biomolecular structures. Emphasis will be on proposals suggesting integration of data from different experimental sources or different time snapshots. Developed instrumentation or software tools need to become available at Instruct Centres. 

Application Process  

Only applications submitted online before the deadline on 15th March 2024 (14 CET) will be considered (https://instruct-eric.org/). Applicants must be registered Instruct users: for any questions contact us directly at support@instruct-eric.eu. Applicants must be resident in one of the Instruct member countries or working within an Instruct member intergovernmental organisation.  

Up to two pilot projects may be funded up to a maximum of €30,000.  The funds are expected to cover research expenses but not normally salaries.   

At the conclusion of a pilot study and within one year of the project start, the researcher must submit a progress report to the Instruct Executive Committee. On the basis of this report the researcher may exceptionally seek to extend the pilot study. The approval decision will rest with the Executive Committee.  

The study should be of limited scope and have well defined objectives. Ordinarily, a pilot study should be completed within one year. A short proposal is required for the initiation of a pilot study.  

Call Submission Guidelines

Call Submission Guidelines 

TechDev applications – Evaluation criteria:  

Proposals will be peer reviewed and reviewers’ comments on the proposal will be available to the applicant.   

Assessment criteria  

The criteria that Instruct will use to determine successful applications are: (score 0-3 and 0-5 respectively for the elements below: 0=low; 3=high (question 1); 5=high (questions 2-5))  

• Novelty: Is the proposed project innovative and/or novel either in subject area or approach? (score 0-3)  
• Feasibility: Is it likely that something useful will result from one year’s support? Note that high risk/high gain preliminary projects are welcome and will be scored high, while trivial but feasible projects will be scored low (score 0-5)  
• Impact: Is there likely to be a high impact on the specific field? (score 0-5)  
• Methodology development: Is there likely to be methodology development that fits the aims of Instruct? (0-5) 
• Applicant(s): Is the track record and expertise in methods and technology development of the applicant of high quality and relevant to delivering the project proposed? (score 0-5)   

Review and decision process:  

• 2 external reviewers will evaluate up to 4 proposals in a competitive manner. The initial scores will be evaluated by the R&D panel. 
• The applications will be reviewed by the R&D panel, forming a short-list based on the returned reviewer scores.  
• The panel will recommend awards up to €30,000 each.  

Application Conditions if Successful 

Before the Instruct financial officer transfers the funds to the awardee department, a letter from the applicant’s institution supporting the project as described in the proposal is required. The award is sent to the applicant’s department upon receiving an invoice from the department for 2/3 of the awarded funds. One third of the funds will be sent at the end of the project after receipt of a project report. The report should be received within six months of completion of the work: the report should include a short description of the work performed, use of the Instruct funds and any publications arising from the project. Additionally, all publications must include this acknowledgement "The authors acknowledge the support and the use of resources of Instruct-ERIC through the R&D pilot scheme APPID xxx." The applicant is also required to complete their profile on the Instruct website. We will use the photo and information in the profile to publish the result of this award on our website. In addition to the award, the applicant and their team are encouraged to apply for access to Instruct infrastructure, when/where appropriate, to undertake some of the proposed research (see our catalogue at https://instruct-eric.eu/platform-catalogue). For more information on the access process including the funding available, please go to https://instruct-eric.eu/access-costs-and-funding.