The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation is known for its focus on Greek education, scientific research, social welfare and culture. The Foundation has been funding three categories of research projects since 2008. The purpose for the funding is the advancement of research activities in Greece within a wide range of scientific fields. Sponsoring research projects also allows Greek researchers to collaborate with international research foundations and universities.
The 12-month grants are open to research groups from all scientific fields and academic tiers. All scientific fields within the European Research Council’s classification categories are supported, allowing applicants to submit proposals in Social Sciences and Humanities; Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Information and Communication, Universe and Earth Sciences and Life Sciences.
Since funding its first 10 research projects in 2008, which included seven in the categories of Social Sciences and three in Physical and Engineering Science, the Foundation has continued to fund projects each year. 2009 saw 15 projects with 21 projects sponsored in 2010. Projects pertaining to Social Sciences and Humanities, Life Sciences and Physical and Engineering Sciences were funded in 2011. In 2012, 17 projects were funded in Physical and Engineering, Life Sciences and Social Sciences and Humanities. 2013 saw 18 projects sponsored, with funding equally distributed throughout all the scientific fields.
Candidates who apply for research project funding may only submit one proposal and may only participate in group. Project groups must have a least two members but no more than five, with one of these members acting as the group coordinator. Researchers do not have to be Greek citizens.
Until recently, researchers could be of any age, but beginning with the 2015 call for scientific projects, an additional category for funding known as the “Young Researchers’” allows separate teams of researchers who are 40 years of age or less.
Project evaluation criteria include idea originality, innovation of the proposed methodology and the credentials of the research team. The maximum funding by the Foundation is 25 projects, with grant amounts anywhere from €10.000-€12.000 per project, which includes all kinds of deductions, VAT and any other taxes and fees.
The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation was established by the family of the late John S. Latsis, to commemorate the man and continue his legacy of public service. A Supervisory Board of family members, managed by his son, Spiro John Latsis, oversees all programmes implemented by the Foundation.
