James D. Watson Investigator Program

Program Purpose
The James D. Watson Investigator Program serves, through professional recognition and development, to facilitate New York's ability to retain its top young scientific talent.

Program Highlights
The James D. Watson Investigator Program makes awards to investigators who perform research in the life sciences or in other life science enabling disciplines such as engineering, material science, chemistry, computer science, electronics, physics, bioinformatics, nanotechnologies, and applications of microelectronics and micro-electromechanical devices.

Eligibility
The Candidate must demonstrate a willingness and ability to develop his or her research directed toward applied applications into economic development opportunities in New York State.

  • The Candidate must be conducting research directed toward applied applications in the Life Sciences or Enabling Sciences.
  • The Candidate must be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident.
  • The Candidate must have received a doctoral degree within the last 5 years; degree age is determined by the date on the Candidate's diploma. In an instance where a Candidate holds multiple doctoral degrees, the most recent degree will be considered.
  • The Candidate must be a full-time employee of the Applicant Institution. A Candidate employed as a postdoctoral fellow, postdoctoral associate, clinical resident, or clinical fellow is considered a full-time employee if the Applicant has classified his or her position as full-time.
  • Applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet the Matching Funds requirements for the two-year funding period. An Award Recipient must provide all Matching Funds demonstrated in its Proposal in the ensuing contract.
  • An Applicant may submit one Proposal. Each campus of the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) systems is considered a separate entity and, therefore, is eligible to respond provided all other eligibility requirements are met.
  • If an Applicant is in breach of any existing NYSTAR contract, which may include but not be limited to reporting requirements, NYSTAR has the discretion to rule the Applicant ineligible.

Application Process
No program funding opportunity is available at this time. Please continue to monitor this site for announcements of new funding.

Contact Information
For more information, contact the NYSTAR staff via NYSTARSupport@esd.ny.gov or call us at (518) 292-5700.