FAQs of GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program

• 1. What is the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program?

  GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program is a new 2024 initiative dedicated to supporting breakthroughs in life science research areas, including but not limited to gene and cell therapy development, antibody drug discovery, vaccine development, diagnostics, and plant sciences. The program is designed to empower researchers by providing grant funding earmarked explicitly for purchasing GenScript reagents and services.

• 2. What research areas are funded by the GenScript Life Science Research Grant?

  The grant offers financial support to researchers engaged in projects that can contribute significantly to critical areas of life science research, including but not limited to gene and cell therapy development, antibody drug discovery, vaccine development, diagnostics, and plant sciences.

• 3. Do I need to register at GenScript.com to apply for the GenScript Life Science Research Grant?

  Registration at GenScript.com is necessary to complete the grant application form through the dedicated portal at https://www.genscript.com/grantprogram-form.html. However, application forms are available for download, and completed applications may be directly submitted to [email protected].

• 4. How do I apply for the GenScript Life Science Research Grant?

  Applicants may directly apply by accessing the electronic application portal at https://www.genscript.com/grantprogram-form.html. Alternatively, applications may be submitted to [email protected].

• 5. Who should I contact for more information about the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program?

  All questions regarding the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program may be sent to [email protected].

• 6. Who should I contact if I have questions about my project’s budget?

  All questions regarding the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program and application may be sent to [email protected].

• 7. When are the GenScript Life Science Research Grant applications due in 2024?

  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. With “rolling” submission dates, the first and last days of the submission period are defined. Therefore, applications are accepted any day within each submission period.

• 8. What happens with my application if I miss an application period?

  Grant proposals submitted beyond one application period may be reviewed during the subsequent application review period. However, all applications must be submitted before Nov 15.

• 9. Who should I contact to update my application information?

  All questions regarding the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program and application process may be sent to [email protected].

• 10. How is my application evaluated?

  Proposals submitted for funding through the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program will be evaluated confidentially by an internal panel of experts. Several criteria will be considered during the review process, including scientific merit, innovation, potential for impact, timeline of proposed work, and planned utilization of GenScript reagents and services.

• 11. Who evaluates my application for the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program?

  GenScript has designated an internal committee dedicated to the grant evaluation process. All grant applications will be reviewed in a fully confidential manner.

• 12. Can I provide supporting materials for my GenScript Life Science Research Grant application?

  Supporting materials are recommended but not required for the application.

• 13. What is the “Research Proposal” under optional supporting materials?

  The “Research Proposal” is an optional file that may be uploaded as part of your application. For example, to share more insight into the research scope or to provide supporting preliminary data. You don’t need to submit a separate proposal.

• 14. What type of supporting materials may be included with my application?

  Supporting materials may include a Research Proposal (PDF), a Curriculum Vitae (CV) for each team member (PDF), an Itemized Budget Request (PDF), or any additional relevant documents.

• 15. Who can apply for the GenScript Life Science Research Grant?

  The program is open to researchers globally. There are no restrictions based on geographic location, and international applicants are encouraged to apply. Eligible entities include academic/research institutions, universities, biotechnology companies, and other organizations engaged in life sciences research. Any local, state, provincial, and officials or employees thereof, are not eligible to participate. Healthcare organizations, including hospitals, healthcare professionals, and employees thereof, may not qualify. We advise you to consult your institution and share the program's description to verify if you can participate.

  The ultimate decision on eligibility for participating and receiving an award through the Life Science Research Grant Program can only be made by the applicant’s institution. GenScript can not determine your eligibility status for this program and is unable to provide a final statement on eligibility.

• 16. Can I use my award for salaries or services and reagents from other companies?

  This grant is designed to provide funding explicitly designated for purchasing GenScript reagents and services. Funds are not available to cover indirect costs, such as salaries, or to buy products from other companies.

• 17. How long is the review process for the GenScript Life Science Research Fund?

  Award announcements are expected to occur within six (6) weeks of each submission deadline.

• 18. What are the funding levels for the GenScript Life Science Research Fund?

  The maximum budget for each project is set at USD 100,000.00. Only a few applications will be considered for maximum funding. Various grant funding levels will also be considered, including 5,000-10,000, 10,000-50,000, and 50,000-100,000 USD. Applicants may request a specific funding level, however, GenScript reserves all rights to the final decision on the funding amount awarded as part of the LSRG program.

  When planning your project proposal, keep in mind that awarded LSRG funds exclusively cover GenScript services and reagents, which need to be procured within 6 months. Additionally, proposed experiments must be completed within 1 year. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals aligned with their operating conditions, including manpower, which would ensure the successful completion of projects.

  LSRG funds are ideal for supporting specific aims within the scope of a larger and more encompassing project, which may be currently limited by insufficient funding and a lack of in-house advanced technologies or expertise. For applicants unfamiliar with GenScript reagents and services, a regional account manager may be reached to request cost information to facilitate the development of your budget breakdown.

• 19. Where can I find application instructions?

  The “Grant Application Form” PDF containing all necessary information is available on the Programs web page (https://www.genscript.com/grantprogram.html) under the section: “Learn More about the Application Process.”

• 20. Once the award is granted, when is a project required to start?

  Projects are expected to commence promptly, within six months after receiving grant funding from GenScript.

• 21. How long do I have to complete my project?

  Research activities should generally take place over 12 months or less.

• 22. Who owns the IP from work funded by the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program?

  The awardee owns all rights to IP made in the performance of Services under the LSR Grant Program.

• 23. What does the “Contract” as the last step of the application workflow involve?

  To finalize the application procedure, the GenScript team will present a "collaboration agreement" for review by the grant recipients. Awardees will be asked to consent to allow GenScript and its partners to disseminate details about their research projects and affiliations for promotion and marketing purposes. This will be in coordination with the investigators and according to publication schedules. Moreover, the contract will specify additional measures to recognize GenScript's contributions in diverse forums publicly. Some examples include public posters or oral presentations, potential publications that employ data generated from the proposed project, co-author publications, webinars, and sponsored talks at international conferences.

• 24. Are postdoctoral fellows or scholars eligible to apply to the Life Science Research Grant Program?

  Postdoctoral fellows and investigators transitioning to independent laboratories can apply directly to the Life Science Research Grant; however, applications must include their current principal investigator, mentor, or supervisor as part of the research team. Including a PI in the application process ensures:

  1) Agreement on how awarded funds are used towards GenScript Reagents and Services

  2) Compliance with the Life Science Research Grant Program conditions of participation in post-award marketing activities to publicly recognize GenScript's contributions in diverse forums

• 25. What does “only one application may be submitted per entity” mean?

  The entity refers to the laboratory or group under the direction of a specific principal investigator or involving the same investigator in a group. Multiple independent principal investigators from the same institution may apply to the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program.

• 26. How do I decide the funding level for my project budget?

  Because the Life Science Research Grant is designed to provide funding through GneScript’s advanced services, investigators not familiar with GenScript reagents and services are encouraged to visit www.genscript.com and the various dedicated “Reagent Services” webpages, which provide insight on available platforms and technologies. These pages enable investigators to request quotes for specific services and facilitate connecting with GenScript’s expert technical teams. GenScript, a global biotech company, has regional representatives who can help navigate the selection of services and corresponding costs: https://www.genscript.com/contact.html.

  LSRG funds are ideal for supporting specific aims within the scope of a larger and more encompassing project, which may be currently limited by insufficient funding and a lack of in-house advanced technologies or expertise.

• 27. Do LSRG applications and funded proposals remain confidential, and have the grant reviewers signed confidentiality agreements?

  GenScript LSRG applications are processed and reviewed by an internal committee. While reviewers do not sign a specific LSRG program confidentiality agreement, all of our applicants' information is protected by the employee information security rules that require them to keep project information confidential stringently.

• 28. Is the tax on services or material costs covered within the budget of the LSRG award?

  The costs associated with taxes for services and reagents are covered by the funds provided through the LSRG program. However, keep in mind that awarded amounts may not necessarily match the level of funding requested. During the evaluation of the specific proposals and based on the established priorities of the LSRG program, GenScript's internal review committee has the final decision on the level of funding provided for selected proposals.

• 29. Is a collaborator needed to submit an LSRG application, or is a list of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and others involved in the project sufficient?

  Having external collaborators is not a requirement for applying to the LSRG program but must be listed if such partners are involved in the submitted proposal. Including lab members involved in the project is sufficient for the program’s application.

• 30. Can LSRG applicants review the 'collaboration agreement' before submitting an application to the program?

  The collaboration agreement will not be shared with applicants. Once funding decisions are made, the agreement will be made available to the award recipients. The agreement gives investigators a lot of flexibility to decide how much they will engage in marketing activities with GenScript (e.g., webinars, presentations at events, developing case studies, etc.).

• 31. We are confused about the following statement: “Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.”

  Because this is a global opportunity, the language adopted in the application materials intends to be inclusive and would not necessarily apply to everyone. For instance, compliance with US (state and federal) law would not apply to EU or APAC applicants.

• 32. Does the following statement, “right to use the participant’s name,” refer to the institution's name?”

  Using the laboratory or group's name rather than the institution's name in GenScript marketing materials after awards are distributed is an option, as some institutions have specific restrictions. All details and limitations are clarified with each awardee once contracts and agreements are discussed post-award.

• 33. Are LSRG awards provided as a credit, meaning no funds are provided to awardees directly?”

  The grant will provide a specific credit level toward services at GenScript. No funds will be transferred to awardees directly.

• 34. Are shipping costs for delivery of reagents covered by the LSRG awards?

  Shipping costs are not generally covered by LSRG award funding.

• 35. My institution is a tax-exempt organization, will I incur on tax payments with the LSRG award?

  For tax exempt organizations, such as non-profits, sales tax will not be included in quotes for services covered by LSRG funds.

• 36. What catalog products and instruments are eligible for LSRG?

  Catalog Product reagents and consumables including CytoSinct cell isolation Nanobeads, Columns and Separator, Enceed T cell Activation Reagent, antibody reagents, protein products including cytokines and growth factors, PCR reagents, and electrophoresis gels are eligible for the LSRG grant. Instruments including AmMag Quatro Maxi-Plasmid Purification and Mini-Plasmid Purification, AmMag SA Plus Semi-Automated System, eBlot, eStain, eZwest, electrophoresis gel tank, and Catalog Stable Cell Lines are not eligible for the LSRG grant. For more information, please contact [email protected].