Discovering the Future
2022
ADVANCE Research Grants Program
Unprecedented platform to bring the top-notch expertise in the targeted STEM-related fields in Armenia
Open Call for Annual Evaluation Committee Members within the ADVANCE Data Science project
Call Ended
PARTNERS
General Information
About the program

The ADVANCE Research Grants set ground for development of scientific directions in STEM-related fields in Armenia. This pioneering platform invites distinguished scientists from all around the world to lead new teams comprised of ambitious Armenian researchers. The experience and network these emerging Armenian researchers gain in the program boosts their professional growth, enables effective global collaboration, and significantly increases research output in target fields. The comprehensive financial and logistical support provided by FAST and its partners works toward putting Armenia on the map of cutting-edge scientific research worldwide.

10
PIs engaged
58
local researchers funded
11
courses/workshops organized

We provide 2 to 4-year grants to the research groups formed in Armenia around a project proposed and led by a distinguished scientist from abroad called an international Principal Investigator (PI).

Aiming to foster inter-institutional and interdisciplinary connections, we put together diverse and multi-faceted research groups, where there is a lot to learn from each other. We encourage qualified and motivated researchers from any institution in Armenia and beyond to apply. Please note that researchers holding administrative positions in the government and/or top management or leadership positions at academic institutions are welcome to apply but are not eligible for monetary compensation. Eligibility for travel of such team members can be considered if justified by the project needs. You can find out more about our projects and open calls in the “Research Projects” section.

The research is conducted primarily in Armenia. The PIs both visit Armenia and supervise the group’s work remotely. The PIs also teach at local universities, helping to nurture aspiring researchers in relevant fields of study.

Granting scheme

The grant includes the following budget lines:

  • PI’s travel expenses and coverage of expenses during their visit to Armenia,
  • Salaries for the local researchers, International travel costs for the local researchers’ participation in the conferences, collaborative research activities abroad, or other capacity-building events,
  • Laboratory materials, consumables,
  • Publications in journals and, if applicable, patenting costs.
Grant Amount

$65,000 - 125,000 per project per year

  • Remuneration for the local researchers and students - 500 to 1200 USD monthly
  • International travel, Capacity building activities - 15,000 USD
  • Laboratory supporting materials - up to 25,000 USD
  • International Principal Investigator’s travel expenses and honorarium - honorarium of 3,000 USD per visit (twice a year)

Evaluation Procedure

Every application goes through an eligibility check by the FAST team, and then is evaluated by an independent Committee composed of a committee lead, and peer reviewers specializing in a corresponding subject area. The Committee receives the application package from FAST, thoroughly gets familiarized with it, then conducts peer interview with the candidate and registers the scores in the evaluation form in accordance with the assessment rubric.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE EVALUATION GUIDELINE

Participants
Dr. David A. Goukassian
Principal Investigator (PI) Radiobiology
Dr. Arsen Arakelyan
Co-Principle Investigator Space Radiobiology
Mrs. Gohar Tsakanova
Senior Researcher Space Radiobiology
Ms. Ani Stepanyan
Senior Researcher Space Radiobiology
Mr. Siras Hakobyan
Senior Researcher Space Radiobiology
Mr. Suren Davitavyan
Junior Researcher Space Radiobiology
Ms. Gisane Khachatryan
Junior Researcher Space Radiobiology
Ms. Tamara Surenyan
Junior Researcher Space Radiobiology
Ms. Ania Baghoomian
Research Intern Space Radiobiology
Dr. Michael Ruzhansky
Principal Investigator (PI) Mathematical Analysis
Dr. Zhirayr Avetisyan
Senior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Belgium
Dr. Zahra Keyshams
Senior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Iran
Dr. Monire Mikaeili
Senior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Iran
Mr. Gor Chalyan
Junior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Armenia
Mr. Aram Nazaryan
Junior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Armenia
Ms. Mery Galstyan
Research Intern Mathematical Analysis
Armenia
Ms. Alesya Ghandilyan
Research Intern Mathematical Analysis
Dr. Nelson Baloian
Principal Investigator (PI) Data Science
Mr. Ashot Harutyunyan
Senior Researcher Data Science
Mr. Arnak Poghosyan
Senior Researcher Data Science
Ms. Aneta Baloyan
Junior Researcher Data Science
Mr. Karen Petrosyan
Junior Researcher Data Science
Ms. Maral Chahverdyan
Junior Researcher Data Science
Mr. Edgar Davtyan
Research Intern Data Science
Mr. Aram Adamyan
Research Intern Data Science
Mr. Alexander Aramyan
Research Intern Data Science
Dr. Hans Binder
Principal Investigator (PI) Vine Bioinformatics
Dr. Kristine Margaryan
Senior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Mr. Tomas Konecny
Senior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Dr. Maria Nikoghosyan
Senior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Ms. Emma Hovhannisyan
Junior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Mr. Levon Galstyan
Junior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Ms. Anush Baloyan
Junior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Ms. Hripsime Gasoyan
Junior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Dr. Ruben Abagyan
Principal Investigator (PI) Drug Discovery
Dr. Zaruhi Karabekian
Senior Researcher Drug Discovery
Mr. Hovakim Grabski
Senior Researcher Drug Discovery
Ms. Goharik Sevoyan
Junior Researcher Drug Discovery
Ms. Siranuysh Grabska
Junior Researcher Drug Discovery
Dr. Alexander Mukasyan
Principal Investigator (PI) Materials Science
Dr. Aram Manukyan
Senior Researcher Materials Science
Dr. Astghik Kuzanyan
Senior Researcher Materials Science
Mr. Harutyun Gyulasaryan
Junior Researcher Materials Science
Ms. Armenuhi Sargsyan
Junior Researcher Materials Science
Mr. Davit Hambardzumyan
Junior Researcher Materials Science
Dr. Sos Agaian
Principal Investigator (PI) Computer Vision
Dr. Anna Hovakimyan
Senior Researcher Computer Vision
Mr. Hayk Gasparyan
Senior Researcher Computer Vision
Mr. Hrach Ayunts
Senior Researcher Computer Vision
Mr. Sargis Hovhannisyan
Senior Researcher Computer Vision
Ms. Anush Khachatryan
Junior Researcher Computer Vision
Mr. Ejmin Vartoumian
Junior Researcher Computer Vision
Mr. Narek Sardaryan
Junior Researcher Computer Vision
Ms. Tatevik Davtyan
Research Intern Computer Vision
Dr. Garabed Antranikian
Principal Investigator (PI), Biotechnology Project
Dr. Anna Poladyan
Senior Researcher Biotechnology Project
Dr. Hovik Panosyan
Expert Biotechnology Project
Dr. Sargis Aghayan
Senior Researcher Biotechnology Project
Dr. Karen Trchunyan
Senior Researcher Biotechnology Project
Dr. Ani Paloyan
Senior Researcher Biotechnology Project
Ms. Ella Minasyan
Junior Researcher Biotechnology Project
Ms. Diana Ghevondyan
Junior Researcher Biotechnology Project
Dr. Arnak Dalalyan
Principal Investigator (PI) Generation AI program advisor
Dr. Arshak Minasyan
Senior Researcher Machine Learning Project
Dr. Sona Hunanyan
Senior Researcher Machine Learning Project
Mr. Tigran Galstyan
Junior Researcher Machine Learning Project
Ms. Elen Vardanyan
Junior Researcher Machine Learning
Publications