Who is eligible for an IMPULZ project?
An eligible candidate must hold a PhD degree and must demonstrate sufficient research experience gained at a foreign research institute. Either s/he obtained a PhD degree or completed a long-term stay outside Slovakia, usually not shorter than 2 years. The candidate must demonstrate a capability to lead a proposed research team as well as an ability to obtain other competitive resources for research in the long term.
Does a candidate for an IMPULZ project have to work at any SAS institute?
At the time of application, NO. BUT a candidate must be a full-time employee of a SAS research institute during the project implementation. The application must include a corresponding declaration of the host SAS research institute.
Can a PhD candidate apply for an IMPULZ project?
NO, an eligible candidate must hold a PhD degree. However, a postdoctoral researcher can apply for a project, but the candidate must demonstrate independence from the thesis advisor by providing a list of publications which were not co-authored by the advisor. Moreover, the proposed topic of the project must be different from the topic of the candidate's thesis.
Is it possible to recruit researchers/PhD students/post-doctoral students who are already employed at the Institute of SAS and work on other projects as part of the IMPULZ project research team?
Members of the research team should primarily work on the IMPULZ project, otherwise their working hours must be reduced, or only part of the salary will be reimbursed from the IMPULZ project. If a member of the research team will be paid 100% from the project, it must be taken into account that s/he really works 100% on the IMPULZ project and cannot work on other projects at the same time.
How to apply for an IMPULZ project?
The applicant must submit the data and documents necessary for the assessment of the proposal via the electronic form on the Impulz website in the APPLICATION section (https://impulz.sav.sk/en/user/login) after creating a personal account. The application form will be made available for submitting data on the day the call is announced. After the deadline, the system shall be closed and it will no longer be possible to enter or change the entered data and documents. Please ensure all required documents are ready before submitting your application. Proposals that do not contain all the requirements specified in the IMPULZ Statute after the deadline shall not be assessed.
In what language is an IMPULZ project application submitted?
The application must be written in English, submitted via the online application system and addressing all the points stipulated in the Guide for Applicants.
What is the duration of an IMPULZ project?
A typical IMPULZ project is usually funded for 5 years. During the project implementation, a mid-term project evaluation will be carried out. Only in case of fulfilment of the pre-set conditions the project will continue to be financed.
What are the eligible costs of the IMPULZ project?
A selected project could ask for funding ranging from 60,000 to 160,000 EUR per year. The eligible project costs include personnel costs, travel costs, material costs, research infrastructure, publishing costs including Open Access, and services.
Is it possible to purchase new instruments/equipment and finance the depreciation of existing equipment used for research in the project from the research project funds?
Yes, it is possible to finance equipments from the project funds. Depreciation can be financed from overheads, which the host organization undertakes to co-finance.
What is the maximum salary of the IMPULZ project principal investigator?
The contribution to the principal investigator´s salary is 1.5 times the salary tariff No. 11 and the salary scale No. 14 of the valid Special Salary Scale for University Teachers and Research and Development Staff, which represents the amount of 3,721.- EUR (1,5*2,480.50 EUR) as of 1st January 2026. Please note that this amount is stated in the project in the form of so-called super gross wage, i.e. it is necessary to add additional 36,2% (as of 1st January 2024) for the compulsory levy fees of the employer. The maximum person-month rate is therefore EUR 5,068.
What if personal funds are unused?
Unspent funds for personal expenses can be used as goods and services and transfer. The project principal investigator can propose a maximum of 15% of the total personal costs as rewards for himself/herself and for employees who have demonstrably contributed to the project.
Can the IMPULZ project principal investigator receive an additional salary contribution from the SAS Institute where s/he will work?
Yes, s/he can. However, such an additional contribution to the salary is governed by a special agreement with the SAS Institute where the researcher will work.
Can the IMPULZ project principal investigator simultaneously draw funds from another SAS program?
No, s/he can't. Simultaneous funding from the IMPULZ, Štefan Schwarz Fund and/or compensatory allowance is not possible. The project investigator of another SAS program can apply for an IMPULZ project only in the last year of the current project implementation – so that in case of successful evaluation s/he will start the IMPULZ project only after finalizing the ongoing project from another SAS program.
When does a selected candidate for the IMPULZ project have to accept the offer and start implementing the project?
A selected candidate must start working for the selected SAS Institute within 6 months from the announcement of the evaluation results. If s/he does not do so, the SAS Presidium may stop financing the project.
Can a rejected candidate for the IMPULZ project appeal against the final decision of the Evaluation Committee and the SAS Presidium?
Yes, s/he can address an appeal to the SAS Presidium, which will send her/him its opinion within 30 days.
Does the IMPULZ project principal investigator have to apply for an ERC project?
The mid-term project evaluation will take into account also any prospects of project co-financing from other non-SAS resources – e.g. a Horizon Europe project proposal (with a special emphasis on the ERC grant scheme), or another prestigious foreign grant with a comparable funding to the ongoing IMPULZ project.
What are the three most important pieces of advice you would give to applicants preparing their first IMPULZ grant proposal?
1. Start preparing your application early and contact your prospective host institution as soon as possible. Discuss your project proposal and familiarize yourself with the host institution's conditions, including project support, English-speaking environment, laboratory facilities, research infrastructure, and collaboration opportunities. Develop your proposal jointly with your host institution.
2. If you are currently employed at an SAS institute, clearly demonstrate the added value of your stay abroad and explain how the knowledge, expertise, or collaborations gained will benefit the research environment at your home institute. Proposals that simply continue your current research without a clear element of novelty or added value are less likely to receive a high evaluation or funding.
3. Prepare your proposal as if it were an ERC application. IMPULZ is designed as a small ERC programme at the institutional level, and submitting an ERC proposal during the first half of the project is mandatory.
4. Read the Guide for Applicants carefully and follow all requirements, instructions, and templates.
From a scientific standpoint, how many published Q1 papers required for an applicant to participate in this grant submission? A strong technical background (proof via an accredited certificate) is also required to demonstrate capacity of fulfilling the promises of the grant?
This criterion is not quantified, as there is no fixed requirement for the number of Q1 publications. Each applicant's profile is assessed individually based on their CV. A researcher's capacity and overall profile are evaluated holistically, taking into account the complete picture rather than relying solely on the number of publications in high-impact journals. Include your key achievements, awards, memberships, and projects to demonstrate your research and leadership capacity.
What are the most common reasons why otherwise strong IMPULZ proposals are not funded?
Although the research proposal and work plan were strong, the evaluators may have considered the candidate's experience insufficient to deliver such an ambitious project or questioned its feasibility. Alternatively, they may have concluded that the research environment did not provide sufficient infrastructure, resources, or support for the successful implementation of the project.
Can applicants re-submit an unsuccessful proposal, and what improvements are typically expected?
Yes. However, the resubmitted proposal should not be identical to the last submitted proposal. It should be revised and strengthened in response to the comments and recommendations provided in the evaluation report.
How much is the success rate? Is there any limitations of applications per institute?
The success rate is approximately 11%, typically ranging from 6% to 15% depending on the number of applications received. There is no limit on the number of applications per institute, however, it depends on the institute's research capacity and ability to provide an appropriate research environment.
Could you please clarify whether the requirement regarding the duration of the stay abroad is assessed at the application stage or at the actual project start? I am currently on a two-year research fellowship abroad that is scheduled to finish in mid-September 2027. If selected, I would therefore need to postpone the start of the project until the end of my fellowship. Would I still be eligible to apply?
The duration of the stay abroad is assessed during the eligibility check. You may still submit your application, and if you provide a justified explanation and supporting documentation, your eligibility will be assessed on an individual basis. If your proposal is selected for funding, there is no need to postpone the project start, as projects are expected to begin from September 2027.
I am working in University of Lodz. My subject is Plant genetics. Am I eligible to apply for this Program?
Yes. However, if selected for funding, the Principal Investigator must be employed full-time at the SAS Host Institute for the entire duration of the project.
From the profiles of the previously selected candidates, I got to know that most of the selected candidates already had a lab or were established researchers. Being a current postdoc, do you also consider new candidates who want to start their career as scientists in Slovakia? Do we stand a chance against established PIs who would also be applying for this program?
Absolutely. It is important to note that early-career and experienced researchers are not evaluated against each other in this programme. Each applicant is assessed individually based on their own profile rather than in comparison with other applicants. The key consideration is whether the applicant has sufficient experience to successfully carry out the proposed research. For example, a researcher with 15 years plus of experience but only a few publications in low-impact journals may still be considered to have a relatively weak research profile.
What does it mean that the project is too ambitious? Especially when you back up the project idea with past results and experience where similar things were done in short time. Is it just the easiest way to say "we have too many applications and we move with better ideas forward."?
Ultimately, this is a matter of the evaluators' judgment. A project may be considered too ambitious when the evaluators have concerns about its feasibility. This may be due to several factors, such as the PI's level of experience, insufficient research infrastructure or institutional support, an unrealistic timeframe, or work packages that are not appropriately aligned with the project's objectives.
Can I apply if I am abroad and no longer a member in SAV?
YES
Who shall we contact in the host institute of interest?
You can contact a member of the research staff or the director of the institute. If you experience any difficulties reaching the appropriate person, we will be happy to assist you.
I have created knowledge program. It can be used for discovery in any sense. How can I connect to University program or somebody specialized in this field?
Please discuss this with your prospective SAS Host Institute, which can advise you on potential collaborations and relevant expertise within the field. Please note that the eligible Host Institute must be a research institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Slovak universities and other Slovak research institutions are not eligible to serve as Host Institutes.
Is experience in industry (R&D position in an international tech company) considered as research experience, or only purely academic positions are considered?
Yes. Please include all relevant research experience in your CV, in accordance with the CV template, including R&D positions in industry. Both academic and industrial research experience will be taken into account when assessing your research profile.
What should be the size of the research team? (numbers of people).
The programme does not specify a required research team size. It should be appropriate to the scope of the proposed project and the available budget. The composition of the research team may also change during the project, with researchers or PhD students involved only in specific work packages, as needed.
How does the research experience is considered? Is it from the time the applicant obtained his/her PhD or from the time the applicant has visible research publications in various publication channels?
The applicant must hold a PhD by the application submission deadline. Research experience is therefore typically assessed from the start of the PhD onwards. In the case of early-career researchers, applicants are also expected to demonstrate scientific independence from their PhD supervisor.
I'd like to ask about the committee's review phase for this year. If a critical report is expected at the end of the project evaluation, or what revisions and potential changes could be made for the future?
From this year´s call onwards, the evaluation process consists of an eligibility check followed by three evaluation stages. Applicants who do not progress to the next stage will receive their evaluation reports shortly after the respective stage has been completed.
Where we can find clear information about personnel costs for R1, R2, R3, Technicians, PhD students, etc.?
For the team members, salaries depend on:
- experience level,
- position,
- working time commitment,
- and the host institution's conditions.
Therefore, we strongly recommend discussing personnel costs with the future host institute. In general, researchers' salaries are calculated according to the current Special Salary Scale for University Teachers and Research and Development Staff
Are there any examples of common mistakes applicants should avoid when preparing their proposals?
- Do not submit your application before discussing your plans with your prospective host institution and obtaining their feedback.
- Avoid relying on AI to prepare your entire project proposal, as this may negatively affect the evaluation process.
- Use the required templates and submit all documents only in the required formats.
- Choose your project start date carefully, ensuring there is enough time for relocation and other practical arrangements, if applicable.
- Even in the humanities and social sciences, consider including plans to establish or develop a research team (for example, by supervising PhD students), as this can strengthen your proposal during the evaluation. The absence of a planned research team may be viewed as a weakness.