Subscribe to our newsletter Share Funding Awardees About Us Frontier Science Alumni You are here: Home About Us New membership About Us Strategic Outlook 2010-2016 History Annual Reports Governance New membership Reviews of HFSP Announcements HFSP Articles Press and media centre Contact HFSP Related organizations New membership The current members of the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization are the G7 nations, Australia, India, Republic of Korea, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, New Zealand and the non-G7 members of the European Union, who are represented by the European Commission. Guidelines for the participation of new members in the Human Frontier Science Program Download as PDF (350 KB) Introduction As to the participation of New Member countries in the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), a general consensus has been established in Item 4 of Article 4 of the Statutes of the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO), as follows: "On the basis of the principle that the opportunity to become a Management Supporting Party (MSP) be open to all interested countries, the Board of Trustees (BOT) decides on the acceptance of new Management Supporting Parties after considering such factors as: 1) the country's scientific capacity in basic research in the research areas of the Program ; and 2) the degree of support for the Program." New membership is welcomed to encourage a broader participation of scientists from countries with research programs in areas relative to the objectives of the HFSP and to provide a broader financial basis for the HFSP. In deciding on new membership, it is important to ensure the maintenance of the scientific quality of the Program, and especially the acknowledged excellence of its peer review system. In addition, the size of the BOT, the Council of Scientists (COS) and the review committees must be considered so as not to interfere with their effectiveness. Article 1. Membership terms 1. A country wishing to become a MSP may apply in accordance with the procedures described in Article 2. 2. New members approved for membership must make a full payment of their financial contribution calculated on the basis of the overall funding strategy for the HFSP as determined by the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) 3. Countries that do not themselves have sufficient scientific strength or that can not fulfil the financial conditions set out in this Article can form groups to meet the requirements for membership. The countries participating in a group must designate an organizational entity responsible for managing the group's commitments to HFSPO. The group should participate as a single MSP. Article 2. Procedures 1. Initial contact should be made with the Secretariat for information on procedure. 2. The interested party should indicate the governmental or intergovernmental organization that will be the point of contact for the HFSPO and responsible for the financial commitment. 3. The interested party will be informed of the outcome by the President of HFSPO who, on the new member's acceptance, will advise the party of the need to identify BOT representatives and nominate COS members in accordance with the Statutes of HFSPO. 4. A memorandum of understanding identifying the conditions as specified in Article 1, will be formally concluded between HFSPO and the identified governmental or intergovernmental entity and signed by both parties. Procedure for the consideration of membership by the Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees (BOT) will take the following procedure into consideration on application for membership: 1. If a country contacts a BOT member directly, the enquiry will be referred to the Secretariat. 2. The Secretariat will forward the enquiry to the BOT members for consideration of the merits of the case. At least two BOT members from different MSPs must be willing to take on the case for evaluation before it can be considered further. 3. If two BOT members agree to pursue the case, the representatives of the candidate country will assist in the development of a portfolio reflecting the country’s scientific merits. The portfolio might address the following: the level of private and governmental support of research and the level of activity of universities and institutes; the level of education in terms of the number of PhDs awarded and scientists involved in research; information on the international recognition of the country's scientists; the level of involvement in peer reviewed scientific programs; bibliometrics and other relevant criteria; readiness to assume financial commitments as determined by the IGC. 4. The two BOT members reviewing the nomination should consult with the COS for advice on the status of science in the candidate country by providing the information collected on its scientific merit. In carrying out the review, the Secretariat will provide assistance, as needed. 5. When the two BOT members judge the portfolio to be complete, they will present it at a BOT meeting for a vote by the BOT members. 6. Approval of membership requires a unanimous vote by the BOT. Venice Summit 1987 We welcome the initiative of the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) presented by Japan, which is aimed at promoting, through international cooperation, basic research on biological functions. We are grateful for the informal opportunities our scientists have had to take part in some of the discussions of the feasibility study undertaken by Japan. We note that this study will be continued, and we would be pleased to be kept informed about its progress. – Declaration of the G7 Summit, Venice, 1987 Find out more © 2010 Human Frontier Science Program Home Copyright Contact us Site map Design and technology by Reading Room Japanese sister site