1. Program at a Glance
VITAL International Seed Collaboration Program is a seed-funding vehicle under the VITAL framework. This program funds short-term, intensive research stays at the National Biomedical Imaging Center (NBIC) of Peking University (PKU), where multimodal imaging, spatial omics, AI-driven modeling, and experimental validation converge in a single ecosystem.
The funded applicant will lead the project, working closely with an NBIC PI who serves as the local anchor and guide throughout the stay. Beyond funding, the program provides access to NBIC's advanced imaging, spatial omics, high-performance computing platforms, and AI modeling capabilities. For more details about NBIC, please see its website (https://nbic.pku.edu.cn/en/).
2. Research Tracks
Track 1 — Building Verifiable Digital Life Models
Trans-scale modeling of cells, organs, and organisms. Core requirement: a clear prediction-plus-validation strategy.
Track 2 — Enabling Observation and Validation Technologies
Multimodal imaging, spatial multi-omics, AI foundation models, and experimental perturbation and validation platforms.
3. What the Seed Program Provides
- Fellowship funding for an international round-trip airfare, living allowance, and research funds, proportional to stay length.
- NBIC platform access, including imaging, spatial omics, and computational facilities.
- Preliminary results to seed future joint grant applications and long-term international collaboration.
4. Funding Support
Calculated for a 3-month stay and adjusted proportionally to actual duration. Funding source: NBIC, Peking University.
| Category | Maximum Support |
|---|---|
| Category A — Young researchers (Assistant Professor and above) | USD 22,000 |
| Category B — Postdoctoral researchers / PhD students | USD 15,000 |
Budget Components (per 3-month stay, adjusted proportionally): international round-trip economy airfare, living allowance, and research funds (including facility usage fees and consumable costs).
Note: Amounts are indicative and will be finalized in the funded agreement. Total awards above include all components.
5. Eligibility
- Applicants must be PhD students, postdocs, or early-career researchers at overseas universities or research institutions.
- Postdoctoral and early-career researcher applicants must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent in a relevant field; PhD students must be currently enrolled and provide a supervisor's support letter.
- Generally under 45 years of age.
- Agree with at least one NBIC PI to jointly prepare and conduct the proposed research.
6. Selection Criteria
- Scientific significance and alignment with VITAL's goals.
- Potential contribution to verifiable digital life models.
- Feasibility of the collaboration plan.
- Potential for long-term international collaboration.
7. Application Timeline
| Round | Application Deadline | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| First Round | October 15, 2026 | By November 15, 2026 |
| Second Round | January 15, 2027 | By February 15, 2027 |
| Third Round | April 15, 2027 | By May 15, 2027 |
8. Application Materials
Please prepare and submit the following as a single PDF:
9. Submission
Submit all materials as a single PDF to gvital@pku.edu.cn.
10. Data Ownership and Intellectual Property
Data belong to the researchers and their collaborators. Data generated during the collaboration do not automatically become part of the NBIC or VITAL repositories; ownership and usage rights are governed by the cooperation agreement between the applicant and the host PI. All resulting publications must acknowledge support from this program.
11. Contact
For inquiries, please contact gvital@pku.edu.cn.