§ 209-S — James D

§ 209-s. James D. Watson investigator program. 1. The James D. Watson\ninvestigator program is hereby created to recognize outstanding early\ncareer scientists who demonstrate the potential for leadership at the\nfrontiers of knowledge in the life sciences and demonstrate an\nentrepreneurial spirit to help foster economic development in New York\nstate into the future.\n 2. This program shall be administered by the executive director. Funds\nshall be awarded to the institution at which the investigator is\nemployed on behalf of the recipient.\n 3. Within available funds, each award granted under the James D.\nWatson investigator program shall equal two hundred thousand dollars\nover a two year period. Selection of such awards shall be made pursuant\nto an application process to be conducted no more than once annually.\nEligible recipients of such awards shall include researchers at\nacademic, public, or not-for-profit private research institutions\nlocated within New York state. Such awards shall be provided for the\npurpose of supporting the research activities of such researcher not\notherwise supported by the research institution. Such awards may be used\nfor the salaries of such investigators, the salaries of support research\npersonnel and for the purchase of equipment used directly in the pursuit\nof research not otherwise provided by the research program at such\ninstitution.\n 4. Eligible applicants for grants issued under this program shall be\nfull-time staff members who are United States citizens or legal\npermanent residents, have been awarded their doctoral degrees, and have\nless than five years of post-doctoral experience, and are conducting\nresearch in the life sciences or in enabling sciences as defined in this\narticle. All applicants must demonstrate expertise in the life sciences\nor in the enabling science discipline as stated in their application.\nPreference shall be given to researchers who demonstrate a willingness\nand ability to develop their research into economic development\nopportunities in New York state.\n 5. No academic, public, or not-for-profit private research institution\nshall receive more than one award per year. No more than three-fifths of\navailable awards in any year shall be granted to employees of public,\nnot-for-profit, private or academic research institutions within the\nmetropolitan commuter transportation district.\n