The Human Frontier Science Program is an international program of research support implemented by the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) based in Strasbourg, France. Its aims are to promote intercontinental collaboration and training in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research focused on the life sciences. HFSPO receives financial support from the governments or research councils of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, UK, USA, as well as from the European Union.  

The Human Frontier Science Program is unique, supporting international collaboration to undertake innovative, risky, basic research at the frontier of the life sciences. From 1990 to 2014, 23 HFSP awardees have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize.

There are two categories of grant: Young Investigator Grants for groups of young scientists establishing their research groups, and Program Grants for scientists at any stage of their careers. Applicants went through a rigorous year-long selection procedure in a global competition. In 2015, 10 Young Investigator Grants and 21 Program Grants were awarded from a total of over 1000 letters of intent. Being among the successful candidates in such a highly competitive field, the application of Dr. Shin-Ru Shih’s collaborative team was ranked 2 among 21 awards made from 61 full applications for Program Grants.