Discovering the Future
2022
ADVANCE Research Grants
Unprecedented platform to bring the top-notch expertise in the targeted STEM-related fields in Armenia
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.

9
PIs engaged
58
local researchers funded
15
courses/workshops organized

We provide 3 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 conduct credit-based and non-formal courses at local universities, helping 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,
  • Grants 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

  • Grants for the local researchers and students - 300 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. Michael Ruzhansky
Principal Investigator (PI) Mathematical Analysis
Dr. Zhirayr Avetisyan
Co-Principal Investigator Mathematical Analysis
Dr. Zahra Keyshams
Senior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Dr. Monire Mikaeili
Senior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Mr. Aram Nazaryan
Junior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Mr. Gor Chalyan
Junior Researcher Mathematical Analysis
Ms. Mery Galstyan
Research Intern Mathematical Analysis
Dr. David A. Goukassian
Principal Investigator (PI) Space Radiobiology
Dr. Arsen Arakelyan
Co-Principle Investigator 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 Sirunyan
Junior Researcher Space Radiobiology
Ms. Ania Baghoomian
Research Intern Space Radiobiology
Dr. Nelson Baloian
Principal Investigator (PI) Data Science
Mr. Ashot Harutyunyan
Senior Researcher Data Science
Mr. Arnak Poghosyan
Senior Researcher Data Science
Mr. Karen Petrosyan
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
Advisor Vine Bioinformatics
Mr. Tomas Konecny
Senior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Dr. Maria Nikoghosyan
Senior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Ms. Emma Hovhannisyan
Junior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Ms. Anush Baloyan
Junior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Ms. Armine Asatryan
Junior Researcher Vine Bioinformatics
Dr. Ruben Abagyan
Principal Investigator (PI) Drug Discovery, Women Innovators (WIN)
Dr. Zaruhi Karabekian
Senior Researcher Drug Discovery
Mr. Hovakim Grabski
Senior Researcher Drug Discovery
Ms. Gohar Sevoyan
Junior Researcher Drug Discovery
Ms. Siranuysh Grabska
Junior Researcher Drug Discovery
Mr. Daniel Polianczyk
Junior Researcher Drug Discovery
Mr. Hayk Aghekyan
Research Intern Drug Discovery
Dr. Alexander Mukasyan
Principal Investigator (PI) Materials Science
Dr. Aram Manukyan
Senior Researcher Materials Science
Dr. Astghik Kuzanyan
Senior Researcher Materials Science
Dr. Armenuhi Sargsyan
Senior Researcher Materials Science
Mr. Khachatur Kirakosyan
Junior Researcher Materials Science
Mr. Harutyun Gyulasaryan
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. Hrach Ayunts
Senior Researcher Computer Vision
Mr. Narek Sardaryan
Junior Researcher Computer Vision
Mr. Davit Shadunts
Junior researcher Computer Vision
Ms. Tatevik Davtyan
Junior Researcher Computer Vision
Ms. Anna Ohanyan
Research Intern Computer Vision
Mr. Sargis Grigoryan
Junior Researcher Computer Vision
Dr. Garabed Antranikian
Principal Investigator (PI), Biotechnology Project
Dr. Anna Poladyan
Senior Researcher Biotechnology Project
Dr. Hovik Panosyan
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
Ms. Rima Avetisyan
Junior Researcher Biotechnology
Ms. Mane Tadevosyan
Junior Researcher Biotechnology
Mr. Lev Khoyetsyan
Junior Researcher Biotechnology
Dr. Arnak Dalalyan
Principal Investigator (PI) Generation AI program advisor
Dr. Sona Hunanyan
Senior Researcher Machine Learning Project
Mr. Tigran Galstyan
Senior Researcher Machine Learning Project
Ms. Elen Vardanyan
Junior Researcher Machine Learning
Mr. Vahan Arsenyan
Junior researcher Machine Learning
Publications