Alex Philippidis Senior News Editor Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

Some Potential Sources of Funding for Your Project

The shortage of funding for young researchers has long been akin to the weather: Everyone talks about it, but very little is done about it. Yet the scramble for funding is among factors that have discouraged young researchers from pursuing careers in science.

“They are finding themselves in a situation that is the least supportive of that vision in 50 years,” NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., told the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee on March 3. “They look ahead of them and see the more senior scientists struggling to keep their labs going and suffering rejection after rejection of grants that previously would have been supported. And they wonder, 'Do we really want to sign up for that?' And many of them, regrettably, are making the decision to walk away.”

Earlier this year, research advocates and others took heart when the president of Johns Hopkins University, Ronald J. Daniels, raised attention to the issue by sounding a proverbial alarm.

In a commentary published January 13 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Daniels warned that a generation of future leaders and mentors will be lost absent policy changes to keep younger researchers in academia.

Daniels cited statistics showing a declining share of principal investigators with a leading NIH grant who are 36 years old or younger—from 18% in 1983, to just 3% in 2010. The average age when a scientist with a medical degree gets his or her first such grant has risen—from just under 38 years old in 1980 to more than 45 in 2013. Among Daniels’ footnotes were a 2013 GEN Exclusive report detailing how young researchers were coping with the NIH funding squeeze by seeking alternative sources for their research dollars.

Several alternative sources can be found below in GEN’s list of 35 grant programs that direct funds to younger researchers—up from 25 programs in GEN’s 2014 List. The list is unranked and listed in the alphabetical order of the sponsoring organizations, based on information furnished by these organizations on their websites and other publicly available material.

Each program is listed by its name, amount of funding available and types of costs covered, eligibility requirements of applicants, purpose of the grant program, status of recent activity, and a link or links with more detailed program information. The grant programs listed are among programs as established from Internet searches or publicly available online lists of younger researcher grant opportunities, but do not constitute a list of all programs for younger researchers.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)

Young Investigator Grants

Maximum $50,000 in total costs will be awarded to applicants annually. Budget items may include salary, fringe, travel, supplies, and small pieces of equipment (less than $5,000). A detailed budget and justification is required using the form provide on the ALSF website. A maximum of two years of funding may be requested. Funds from ALSF may not be used for indirect costs. ALSF adheres to the NIH salary cap for the current year. Young Investigators Grants are not eligible for renewal.

Eligibility: Applicants should be at the early stages of their research careers; Applicants may have their M.D., Ph.D. or dual M.D., Ph.D. and must not have achieved an appointment higher than assistant professor. In addition, M.D. (D.O.) or M.D., Ph.D. applicants must either be finished the third year of an accredited fellowship program at the time funding will start or must be no more than six years after finishing a three-year fellowship at the time the award would start (i.e., the fellowship ended in 2009 or later).

Applicant must be no more than 12 years after receiving the most recent professional degree (M.D., D.O., MBBS or equivalent) at the time the funding would start. Preference will be given to applicants not more than 12 years since receiving the earliest professional degree. M.D. applicants who did not do a three-year fellowship must have three years of research experience after M.D. was awarded and be no more than 12 years after receiving the M.D. at the time the funding would start. Ph.D. applicants must be within six years from the granting of the Ph.D. at the time the funding would start, i.e., those with Ph.D. received in 2009 are eligible to apply for a 2015 grant. Postdocs are encouraged to apply but must also be within the six year time frame. The applicant must not currently hold an independent NIH grant (R or P Award). Applicant may currently have a NIH K Award. A research mentor must be identified (a track record in pediatric oncology research is preferred). The application must document his/her involvement in experimental design and execution. A detailed plan for training activities is expected.

Purpose: Designed as start-up funds for new scientists at the end of their fellowship training or early in their research career. Demonstration of outstanding mentorship and demonstration of a career plan that shows commitment to pediatric cancer investigation are critical components of a successful application.

Activity status: Deadline was December 15, 2014. Notification of those awards is set to occur in May, with project start/end dates of July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2017.

More information: www.alexslemonade.org/files/yia_guidelines.pdf

Alzheimer’s Association

New Investigator Research Grant (NIRG)

$100,000 (direct and indirect costs) for up to two years. Requests in any given year may not exceed $60,000 (direct and indirect costs). Indirect costs are capped at 10% (rent for laboratory/office space is expected to be covered by indirect costs paid to the institution).

Eligibility: Applicants must be Assistant Professors or above at their respective institution. For individuals who are at non-academic institutions, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association at [email protected] to verify your eligibility. Eligibility to apply for this grant competition is restricted to investigators who have less than 10 years of research experience after receipt of their terminal degree. The 10-year period applies to the date of submission of the grant application. Adjustments for career interruptions can be made. Applicant must contact the Alzheimer’s Association regarding any possible exception ([email protected]). These would include, but are not limited to, family leave, military service, and major illness or injury. It is the responsibility of the applicant to point out and document such interruptions within their application.

Applications will be accepted from postdoctoral fellows and other junior faculty members (for example: Instructor, Research Associate Scientist, etc.) who can provide a letter of employment verification indicating they will have a full-time faculty position of an Assistant Professor and above by the award date should the proposal be in funding range and funded.

Purpose: The program, formerly known as the Pilot Research Grant Program, is designed to provide newly independent investigators with funding that will allow them to develop preliminary or pilot data, to test procedures and to develop hypotheses. The intent is to support early-career development that will lay the groundwork for future research grant applications to the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and other funding agencies and groups, including future proposals to the Alzheimer's Association.

Activity status: Letters of intent were required to be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on March 6, 2015. Deadline for applications is 5:00 PM ET on May 1, 2015. Funding will be awarded by August 30, 2015.

More information: www.alz.org/research/downloads/2015-NIRG.pdf

 

New Investigator Research Grant to Promote Diversity (NIRGD)

$100,000 (direct and indirect costs) for up to two years. Requests in any given year may not exceed $60,000 (direct and indirect costs). Indirect costs are capped at 10% (rent for laboratory/office space is expected to be covered by indirect costs paid to the institution).

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are faculty members who have been determined to be underrepresented faculty in biomedical and behavioral research on a national or institutional basis. The Alzheimer’s Association will require documentation to support the faculty member’s underrepresented status at their institution. Applicants in the United States will be subject to the definitions as stated by the NIH. Applicants must submit a letter printed on the hiring institution letterhead stating that they have been determined by their institution to be underrepresented in the above areas at the time of Letter of Intent (LOI) for verification. The letter must be signed by an authorized institutional official (i.e., Grants and Contracts officer).

Applicants must be Assistant Professors or above at their respective institution. For individuals who are at non-academic institutions, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association at [email protected] to verify your eligibility. Eligibility to apply for this grant competition is restricted to investigators who have less than 10 years of research experience after receipt of their terminal degree. The 10-year period applies to the date of submission of the grant application. Adjustments for career interruptions can be made. Applicant must contact the Alzheimer’s Association regarding any possible exception ([email protected]). These would include, but are not limited to, family leave, military service, and major illness or injury. It is the responsibility of the applicant to point out and document such interruptions within their application.

Applications will be accepted from postdoctoral fellows and other junior faculty members (for example: Instructor, Research Associate Scientist, etc.) who can provide a letter of employment verification indicating they will have a full-time faculty position of an Assistant Professor and above by the award date should the proposal be in funding range and funded.

Purpose: Designed to provide underrepresented new investigators with funding that will allow them to develop preliminary or pilot data, to test procedures, and to develop hypotheses. The intent is to support early-career development that will lay the groundwork for future research grant applications to the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and other funding agencies and groups, including future proposals to the Alzheimer's Association.

Activity status: Letters of intent were required to be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on March 6, 2015. Deadline for applications is 5:00 PM ET on May 1, 2015. Funding will be awarded by August 30, 2015.

More information: www.alz.org/research/downloads/2015-NIRGD.pdf 

American Cancer Society

Research Scholar Grants

Up to $165,000 per year (direct costs), plus 20% allowable indirect costs, for up to four years. Grants typically cover the cost of items such as salaries, consumable supplies, and other miscellaneous items required to conduct the proposed research.

Eligibility: Applicants must be independent, self-directed researchers within six years of their first academic appointment. The only eligibility exception is in the Priority Focus on Health Equity Research in the Cancer Control and Prevention Research Program, which is restricted to: research studies in psychosocial, behavioral, health policy, or health services, which address cancer health equity and disparities. Applicants must be self-directed researchers for whom their institution must provide space and other resources customary for independent investigators. The application must convey the commitment of the institution to the applicant and the proposed research activities. There are no citizenship requirements.

Purpose: Intended to provide the resources for investigator-initiated research in a variety of cancer-relevant areas.

Activity status: Deadline was April 1 (electronic) or April 2 (paper). Next deadline is October 15 (electronic) or October 16 (paper). Grant application materials become available January 1 and July 1.

More information: www.cancer.org/research/applyforaresearchgrant/granttypes/research-scholar-grants

 

Mentored Research Scholar Grants

Awards are for up to five years and for up to $135,000 per year (direct costs), plus 8% allowable indirect costs. A maximum of $10,000 per year for the mentor(s) (regardless of the number of mentors) is included in the $135,000.

Eligibility: Applicants must at the time of application be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.

Purpose: Provides support for mentored research and training to full-time junior faculty, typically within the initial four years of their first independent appointment. The goal is for the beginning investigators to become independent researchers as either clinician scientists or cancer control and prevention researchers.

Activity status: Deadline was April 1 (electronic) or April 2 (paper). Next deadline is October 15 (electronic) or October 16 (paper). Grant application materials become available January 1 and July 1.

More information: www.cancer.org/research/applyforaresearchgrant/granttypes/mentored-research-scholar-grants

American Diabetes Association

Junior Faculty Development Award (JFD)

Maximum funding: Up to $138,000 per year for up to four years, including 10% allowable indirect costs. PI's salary support cannot exceed $75,000 per year. Additionally, applicants can request up to $10,000 per year toward the repayment of the principal on loans for a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D., PharmD, DPM, or D.O.).

Eligibility: Applicants must be full-time independent faculty with less than 10 years of research experience since their terminal degree who do not have previous or current NIH support (R00, R01, U01, or equivalent). Applicants may not hold concurrent awards of similar intent (NIH K awards, foundation or non-profit career development awards), however they can have completed previous NIH K or other career development funding. Applicants must dedicate at least 75% total effort to research activities.

Purpose: Support early investigators as they establish independence as diabetes researchers.

Activity status: Application deadline is April 15, 2015 for April 1, 2016 funding

More information: professional.diabetes.org/Diabetes_Research.aspx?typ=18&cid=93971#JF_Award

 

Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (PDF) and Minority Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (PMF)

Maximum funding: Awards are between $42,000-$55,272/year for up to three years, plus yearly $5,000 training and $5,000 fringe benefit allowances.

Eligibility: Ph.D., M.D., PharmD, D.O., DPM (or equivalent) with confirmed postdoctoral position by award start date. Applicants with more than 10 years research experience beyond conferral of their doctoral degree are not eligible for this award.

Purpose: Provide research support for high quality training in disciplines and topics relevant to diabetes in an environment conducive to beginning a career in diabetes research.

Activity status: Application deadline is April 15, 2015 for April 1, 2016 funding

More information: professional.diabetes.org/Diabetes_Research.aspx?typ=18&cid=93972#PMF

American Federation for Aging Research

AFAR Research Grants for Junior Faculty

Up to $100,000 for a one- to two-year award to junior faculty (M.D.s and Ph.D.s) to conduct research that will serve as the basis for longer term research efforts. AFAR-supported investigators study a broad range of biomedical and clinical topics including the causes of cellular senescence, the role of estrogen in the development of osteoporosis, the genetic factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, the effects of nutrition and exercise on the aging process, and much more.

Examples of potentially fundable areas of research include, but are not limited to: aging and immune function, stem cell aging, inflammation, genetic control of longevity, invertebrate or vertebrate animal models, cardiovascular aging, aging and cellular stress response, metabolic and endocrine changes, age-related changes in cell proliferation, caloric restriction and aging, DNA repair and control of gene expression, biology of the menopause, aging and apoptosis, biodemographic analysis of aging, comparative gerontology, and evolutionary biological aspects of the biology of aging. Two other categories of projects are also cited as examples—neurobiology and neuropathology of aging, and mechanisms of dementia. However, applicants proposing a project in Alzheimer's disease or healthy brain aging research are advised to apply for the New Investigator Awards in Alzheimer's Disease (See below).

Eligibility: Applicants must be independent investigators with independent research space as described in a form completed by their Dean or Department Chair, and must be no more than 10 years beyond start of postdoctoral research training as of July 1, 2015. Exceptions to the ten year rule may be requested for unusual circumstances by emailing an NIH-style biosketch to AFAR at [email protected] at least one week prior to the deadline date.

The AFAR Research Grant for Junior Faculty Program does not provide support for: Postdoctoral fellows in the laboratory of a senior investigator; Investigators who have received major extramural funding for research in any area (such as an R01 or NSF equivalent grant) prior to and including the start date of this award; senior faculty, i.e., at the rank of associate professor level or higher; former AFAR Research Grant for Junior Faculty recipients; federal employees; applicants for the 2015 Glenn/AFAR Breakthrough in Gerontology (BIG) award; and applicants who are conducting research at a for-profit institution, or at an institution outside of the United States

Purpose: Assist in the development of the careers of junior investigators committed to pursuing careers in the field of aging research. AFAR supports research projects concerned with understanding the basic mechanisms of aging. Projects investigating age-related diseases are also supported, especially if approached from the point of view of how basic aging processes may lead to these outcomes. Projects concerning mechanisms underlying common geriatric functional disorders are also encouraged, as long as these include connections to fundamental problems in the biology of aging. Projects that deal strictly with clinical problems such as the diagnosis and treatment of disease, health outcomes, or the social context of aging are not eligible.

Activity status: Letters of Intent were required to be filed by the deadline of December 15, 2014, at 5 pm ET.

More information: www.afar.org/research/funding/afar-research-grants

 

New Investigator Award in Alzheimer’s Research

Up to three grants of $100,000 each are anticipated to be awarded in 2015. Applicants may propose to use the award over the course of one or two years as justified by the proposed research. Up to 8% of funds may be budgeted for overhead or indirect costs (not to exceed $7,407). Funding will begin July 1, 2015.

Projects in basic and translational research related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) that are clinically relevant, will be considered. For one of the awards, priority may be given to an investigator with a research project that has high translational potential. Examples of promising areas of research include, but are not limited to: Genetic and environmental risk/protective factors; cellular and molecular pathways; cardiovascular and cerebrovascular factors; neuro-inflammation; neuroimaging and other biomarkers; cellular, animal and in silico models; diagnostic and prognostic markers; exercise, nutrition, and dietary factors; and drug discovery and other therapeutics. In addition, proposals will be accepted that relate to the basic mechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) aging, such as learning and memory, the biology and pathobiology of synapses, and neurogenesis, neural and glial progenitors.

Eligibility: Applicants must be independent investigators with independent research space as described in a form completed by their Dean or Department Chair, and must be no more than 10 years beyond start of postdoctoral research training as of July 1, 2015. Exceptions to the 10- year rule may be requested for unusual circumstances by emailing an NIH-style biosketch to AFAR at [email protected] at least one week prior to the submission deadline. The proposed research must be conducted at any type of not-for-profit setting in the U.S. or Israel.

Awards do not provide support for postdoctoral fellows in the laboratory of a senior investigator, investigators who have already received major extramural funding (such as an R01 or NSF equivalent grant) prior to and up until the start date of the award, senior faculty, i.e., at the rank of Associate Professor level or higher, federal employees, and applicants who are conducting research at a for-profit institution, or at an institution outside of the U.S. or Israel.

Purpose: Funded by The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, the major goal of this partnership program is to support important research in areas in which more scientific investigation is needed to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The program also serves to encourage junior investigators in the United States and Israel to pursue research and academic careers in the neurosciences, and Alzheimer's disease in particular.

Activity status: Letters of Intent were required to be filed by the deadline of December 15, 2014, at 5 pm ET.

More information: www.afar.org/research/funding/new-investigator-awards

American Heart Association

Beginning Grant-In-Aid

SouthWest affiliate: Maximum $70,000 a year over two years, for a total award amount of $140,000, including up to $35,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits of the principal investigator. Collaborating investigator(s) and others with faculty appointments may not receive salary from these funds. Also pays 10% of indirect costs ($6,364) and project-related expenses, such as salaries of technical personnel, consultative services, supplies, equipment, computer/electronics, travel, volunteer subject costs, and publication costs, within the following limits: Travel—$3,000 per year; Computer purchase—SouthWest affiliate has no limit for purchase of computer equipment/electronics.  

Western States affiliate: Maximum $70,000 a year over two years, for a total award amount of $140,000, including up to$35,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits of the principal investigator. Collaborating investigator(s) and others with faculty appointments may not receive salary from these funds. Also pays 10% of indirect costs ($6,364) and project-related expenses, such as salaries of technical personnel, consultative services, supplies, equipment, computer/electronics, travel, volunteer subject costs, and publication costs, within the following limits: Travel—$3,000 per year; Computer purchase—Western States affiliate has no limit for purchase of computer equipment/electronics.  

Eligibility: At the time of application, the applicant must hold an M.D., Ph.D., D.O., D.V.M. or equivalent post-baccalaureate doctoral degree initiating an independent research career; At the time of award activation, applicants must hold a faculty/staff rank up to and including assistant professor (or equivalent), but may not have more than seven years of experience at the assistant professor level (or equivalent) for SouthWest and Western States affiliates.

Purpose: promote the independent status of promising beginning scientists

Activity status: Application deadline is July 24, 5 pm CDT for both SouthWest Affiliate and Western States Affiliate. Award activation date is Jan. 1, 2016.

More information: my.americanheart.org/professional/Research/FundingOpportunities/SupportingInformation/Winter-2015—-Beginning-Grant-in-Aid_UCM_443303_Article.jsp


Mentored Clinical and Population Research Award

Founders affiliate: $75,000 maximum annual award over two years, for a total award amount of $150,000, including up to $34,091 per year for salary and fringe benefits of the principal investigator, collaborating investigator(s) and others with faculty appointments, including an allowance of up to $5,000 for the sponsor. Maximum annual award includes $6,818 for indirect expenses; institution may supplement stipend. Also pays Project-related expenses, such as salaries of technical personnel, consultative services, supplies, equipment, computer/electronics, travel, volunteer subject costs, publication costs, within the following limits: Travel—$3,000 per year; International travel must have prior AHA approval. Computer purchase—Founders Affiliate allows $5,000 for computer equipment/electronics. Printing/Publications—$2,000 per year.

National office: $77,000 maximum annual award  over two years, for a total award amount of $154,000, including up to $35,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits of the principal investigator, collaborating investigator(s) and others with faculty appointments including an allowance of up to $5,000 for the sponsor; institution may supplement stipend. Also pays 10% of indirect costs ($7,000) and Project-related expenses, such as salaries of technical personnel, consultative services, supplies, equipment, computer/electronics, travel,  volunteer subject costs, publication costs, within the following limits: Travel—$3,000 per year; international travel must have prior AHA approval. Computer purchase—National allows $5,000 for computer equipment/electronics.

SouthWest and Western States affiliates: $70,000 maximum annual award over two years, for a total award amount of $140,000, including up to $35,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits of the principal investigator, collaborating investigator(s), and other participants with faculty appointments, including an allowance of up to $5,000 for the sponsor. Also pays 10% of indirect expenses ($6,364; institution may supplement stipend) as well as project-related expenses, such as salaries of technical personnel, consultative services, supplies, equipment, computer/electronics, travel, volunteer subject costs, publication costs, within the following limits: Travel—$3,000 per year; Computer purchase—The SouthWest and Western States affiliates have no limit.

Eligibility: Healthcare professional with a masters or post-baccalaureate doctoral degree, including M.P.H., R.N., Pharm.D., M.D., D.O. or Ph.D.; Interdisciplinary research teams are eligible. However, Individuals are not eligible to be the principal investigator if they hold or have held certain NIH awards (such as RO1, R21, PO1); certain AHA awards (BGIA, SDG, EIA, GIA); or an award equivalent to any of the above (an independent investigator award)

Purpose: Encourage early career investigators who have appropriate and supportive mentoring relationships to engage in high-quality introductory and pilot clinical studies that will guide future strategies for reducing cardiovascular disease and stroke while fostering new research in clinical and translational science, and encouraging community- and population-based activities. Grant does not fund basic science or support senior researchers, but encourages mentoring of early career investigators.

Activity status: Application deadline is July 22, 5 p.m. CDT, for Founders Affiliate; July 21, 5 p.m. CDT, for National; July 24, 5 p.m. CDT for SouthWest Affiliate; and July 24, 5 p.m. CDT for Western States Affiliate.

More information: my.americanheart.org/professional/Research/FundingOpportunities/SupportingInformation/Winter-2015—-Mentored-Clinical-and-Population-Research-Award_UCM_443302_Article.jsp


National Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award

$65,000 maximum award amount in training stage, including up to $50,000 for salary and fringe benefits of the principal investigator; institution may supplement. $132,000 maximum award amount over five years in faculty stage, including up to $90,000 for salary and fringe benefits of the principal investigator; institution may supplement salary. Offered by AHA’s National office.

Eligibility: At time of application, applicants must hold a M.D., M.D./Ph.D., D.O. or equivalent doctoral degree and seeking additional research training under the supervision of a sponsor/mentor prior to embarking on a career of independent research. Applicants should be enrolled in or have completed an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved residency or a clinical fellowship program associated with an ACGME-approved residency. Applicants must have completed the clinical portion of their training program by the time of award activation; applicants are responsible for identifying and working with a sponsor/sponsor to develop the application. Applicants must not have more than five years of postdoctoral research training (beyond clinical training), and not have faculty/staff rank.

At time of award activation, applicants may not hold a faculty/staff appointment.  (Exceptions: M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. with clinical responsibilities who hold a title of instructor or similar due to their patient care responsibilities but who devote at least 80% full-time effort to research training.). The sponsor may hold a M.D., Ph.D., D.O. or other equivalent degree. An individual sponsor may sponsor only one applicant to the program per year “because of the strong sponsoring component of this award and the importance of developing a meaningful relationship between awardee and sponsor.”

Purpose: Provide funding for trainees with outstanding potential for careers as physician-scientists in cardiovascular or stroke research during the crucial period of career development that spans the completion of research training through the early years of the first faculty/staff position

Activity status: Deadline was January 22, for July 1, 2015 funding

More information: my.americanheart.org/professional/Research/FundingOpportunities/ForScientists/Winter-2015—-National-Fellow-to-Faculty-Transition-Award_UCM_431606_Article.jsp


Scientist Development Grant

Founders affiliate: $77,000 maximum annual award over three years, for a total award amount of $231,000; Includes up to $35,000 per year for salary and fringe of the principal investigator, collaborating investigator(s), and others with faculty appointments. Also pays 10% of indirect costs ($7,000) and project-related expenses, such as salaries of technical personnel, consultative services, supplies, equipment, travel, volunteer subject costs, and publication costs, within the following limits: Minimum $35,000 per year; Travel—$3,000 per year; international travel must have prior AHA approval.

National office: $77,000 maximum annual award over four years, for a total award amount of $308,000; Includes up to $35,000 per year for salary and fringe of the principal investigator, collaborating investigator(s), and others with faculty appointments. Also pays 10% of indirect costs ($7,000) and project-related expenses, such as salaries of technical personnel, consultative services, supplies, equipment, computer/electronics, volunteer subject costs, publication costs, within the following limits: Minimum—$35,000 per year; Travel—$3,000 per year; international travel must have prior AHA approval; Computer purchase—National allows $5,000 for computer equipment/electronics.

Eligibility: At the time of application, the applicant must hold an M.D., Ph.D., D.O., D.V.M. or equivalent post-baccalaureate doctoral degree. At the time of award activation, applicants must hold a faculty/staff position up to and including the rank of assistant professor (or equivalent). Applications may be submitted for review in the final year of a postdoctoral research fellowship or in the initial years of the first faculty/staff appointment. Applicants also must have no more than four years since his/her first faculty/staff appointment after receipt of doctoral degree) at the assistant professor level or its equivalent (including, but not limited to, research assistant professor, research scientist, staff scientist, etc.)

Purpose: Support highly promising beginning scientists in their progress toward independence by encouraging and adequately funding research projects that can bridge the gap between completion of research training and readiness for successful competition as an independent investigator.

Activity status: Application deadline is July 22, 5 p.m. CDT, for Founders Affiliate; and July 21, 5 p.m. CDT, for National.

More information: my.americanheart.org/professional/Research/FundingOpportunities/SupportingInformation/Scientist-Development-Grant_UCM_443318_Article.jsp 

American Liver Foundation

Liver Scholar Award

Three-year, $75,000 per year ($225,000 total) basic science award intended to encourage young investigators to pursue a career in liver related research.

Eligibility: Applicant must be sponsored by a public or private nonprofit institution accredited in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico engaged in healthcare and health—related research. Applicant must apply within the first three years of his/her first faculty appointment (including prior appointments in universities outside of North America) and commence the award within the first four years of faculty appointment. If the applicant does not have a faculty appointment at time of application, a letter signed by the department chair confirming that the applicant will have a faculty appointment (a) no later than the Liver Scholar Award start date, and (b) for the full award cycle must be submitted. While applications on all liver-related research topics will be considered, the following are of particular interest: biliary atresia and primary biliary cirrhosis.

At the time of application, or during the Liver scholar Award cycle, the applicant cannot hold or have held any of the following awards: NIH R01, PO1, R29, K01, K08, K11, or R12 award; Veterans Administration Merit Review, Associate Investigator, Research Associate, or Clinical Investigator Award; AGA Industry Award, Glaxo Institute for Digestive Health Award; American Heart Association Award, or any other similar award that is intended to primarily support the salary of young investigators. The American Liver Foundation must be notified immediately if the applicant receives another research award during the application process or after the receipt of an award. Applicants must be sponsored by a research mentor, and may only apply for one award or fellowship offered by the American Liver Foundation.

Purpose: Provide young scientists with support at an early stage of their careers to bridge the gap between completion of research training and attainment of status as an independent research scientist. The additional research experience provided by this award is intended to enable them to successfully compete for research grants from national sources, particularly the National Institutes of Health.

Activity status: Deadline was December 4, 2014, 11:59 pm ET.

More information: www.liverfoundation.org/downloads/alf_download_1159.pdf 

Bayer HealthCare

Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program: Early Career Investigator Award

$100,000 annually for two years. Up to four new awards will be made each year. Part of the Award may fund salary support. The candidate must spend at least 25% of his/her time on the project in order to request salary support. This award will fund salary support and research funds for a junior faculty member who wishes to undertake a mentored basic and/or clinical research project in the bleeding disorders field.

Eligibility: Applicant should have an entry-level academic or clinical appointment within his or her institution. This award is open to applicants with a medical degree and/or Ph.D. Applicants should have earned their terminal degree within the previous 10 years. Special dispensation may be considered for extenuating circumstances such as maternity leave, military duty, sickness, etc.

Examples of topics for research projects that might be considered for these awards include, but are not limited to: Clinical studies, properties and delivery of clotting factor proteins, assays and models, genetics and epidemiology, and molecular aspects and mechanisms of clotting factor inhibitor formation.

Purpose: Supports basic and clinical research and education in hemophilia. Through grants provided to early career investigators, fellows in training, and other hemophilia care professionals, the program seeks to support the next steps for the next generation of care and treatment options for people with hemophilia worldwide. The Hemophilia Awards Program is envisioned by Bayer as a step toward making the dream of hemophilia cures and improved treatments a reality.

Activity status: Deadline for Letter of Intent consideration was November 30, 2014. Full proposals were to be submitted during March. Funding to be made available during July and August.

More information: www.bayer-hemophilia-awards.com/awards/?view=early_career_investigator_award 

Boettcher Foundation

Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program

Grants of $225,000 each, covering up to three years of research activity, through agreement between the Boettcher Foundation, the Webb-Waring Foundation and the University of Colorado; The University of Colorado’s allocation for the 2015 program is $1,125,000 (five grants). Through the program, Boettcher Foundation now invests more than $1.5 million each year into efforts to increase Colorado's competitiveness in biomedical science.

Eligibility: On an annual basis, the Foundation will announce the establishment of pre-allocated amounts to: University of Colorado System, Colorado State University, National Jewish Health, and a pool from which other eligible Colorado institutions may apply include Bonfils Blood Center, Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines, Craig Hospital, Colorado Mesa University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Regis University, University of Denver, and University of Northern Colorado. Investigators interested in applying should inquire with their institution’s research department to obtain more information about eligibility.

According to University of Colorado, eligible early-career investigators include investigators who are within four years of appointment to his/her career-track academic position (i.e., whose career-track appointments began no earlier than January 1, 2010); investigators who have not previously received a major independent research award, defined as an RO1 or similar grant that provides independent research support of at least $125,000 (either single-year or multiple-year award), and which was awarded through a rigorous peer review process conducted by a public or private institution; and investigators who will have received a terminal degree or completed his/her medical residency within the 10 years preceding the application (i.e., on or after January 1, 2004).

Purpose: Provide independent research opportunities to promising and talented early-career investigators. The goal is that successful projects will lead to independent research, thus making investigators competitive for major awards from federal agencies and private foundations. The early-career scientists who receive the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards are designated as “Boettcher Investigators.”

Activity status: Deadline was February 6, following submission of approved Boettcher biosketch forms to determine eligibility, which were due December 15, 2014.

More information: www.cu.edu/bfww/how-apply

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

NARSAD Young Investigator Grant

NARSAD is an acronym for National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, the former name of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. Two-year awards up to $70,000, or $35,000 per year are provided to enable promising investigators to either extend research fellowship training or begin careers as independent research faculty. Research has included (but is not limited to) studies in: genetics, neurobiology, molecular biology, imaging, neurochemical studies, neurophysiology, electrophysiology, clinical psychopharmacology, descriptive clinical studies, epidemiological research, treatment modalities, cognition studies, and outcome and prevention research.

Eligibility: Basic and/or clinical investigators are supported, but research must be relevant to serious brain and behavior disorders such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders or child and adolescent mental illnesses. A few NARSAD Young Investigator Grantees are selected each year to present at the foundation's annual Scientific Symposium in New York City. NARSAD Young Investigator Grantees are also eligible to be selected for the Foundation’s Freedman Prize for Outstanding Basic Research and Klerman Prize for Outstanding Clinical Research. Selection is based upon outstanding research as outlined in the final progress report of the NARSAD Grant project.

Purpose: Provides support for the most promising young scientists conducting neurobiological research. Enable early career scientists to garner pilot data for innovative ideas before they have “proof of concept” for their work.

Activity status: Timetable for open applications was January 16, 2015, through February 24, 2015.

More information: bbrfoundation.org/yi ; bbrfoundation.org/frequently-asked-questions ; bbrfoundation.org/apply-for-a-narsad-grant-from-the-brain-behavior-research-foundation

Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Young Investigator Award

One-year research grant totaling $50,000, payable July 1 and January 1 in two equal installments to the awardee’s institution. At least $46,000 should support costs directly related to the research project such as personnel salary, supplies, equipment, and other expenses. Budgeted items must be consistent with available institutional facilities and resources. Patient care costs that are reimbursable by a third-party payor, and tuition and fees for academic courses are unallowable costs.

Up to $1,500 should be allotted specifically for the applicant’s travel to the Conquer Cancer Foundation Grants and Awards Ceremony and for any other travel essential to conducting the study. Attendance is mandatory at the Conquer Cancer Foundation Grants and Awards Ceremony which will take place during the ASCO Annual Meeting in June 2014 immediately following acceptance of the grant. Up to $2,500 (or 5% of the total award amount) may be applied to overhead or facilities and administrative costs of the recipient's institution in administering the recipient's research project.

Eligibility: Applicants must be a physician (M.D., D.O., or international equivalent) working in any country and currently in the last two years of his/her final subspecialty training at an academic medical institution at the time of grant submission. Examples of subspecialty training include, but are not limited to, a hematology-oncology fellowship, a surgical oncology fellowship, or a radiation oncology residency. Applicants must have a valid, active medical license at the time of application. An institutional commitment for a faculty appointment at the time of grant submission is not required, but the applicant should be working in an oncology laboratory or clinical research setting. Applicants must have a mentor in the proposed research field from the sponsoring institution. The mentor must assume responsibility and provide guidance for the research. If the mentor is not an ASCO member, a supporting letter from an ASCO member from the sponsoring institution must be included.

Applicants must be planning an investigative career in clinical oncology, must be an ASCO member (Full Member, Member in Training, or International corresponding) or have submitted a membership application with the grant application, must be able to commit at least 60% of full-time effort in research (applies to total research, not just the proposed project) during the award period. Applicants must be a U.S.-trained M.D.; a Ph.D., is eligible if both degrees are completed prior to the start of the grant period. For foreign-trained physicians, eligibility for those currently enrolled in Ph.D., programs will be determined on a case by case basis. Eligible physicians are allowed to hold only one grant from the Conquer Cancer Foundation at a time.

Purpose: Provides funding to promising investigators to encourage and promote quality research in clinical oncology. The purpose of this award is to fund physicians during the transition from a fellowship program to a faculty appointment. The Conquer Cancer Foundation welcomes application submissions in all oncology subspecialties.

Activity status: Deadline for full applications was September 25, 2014, following July 1, 2014 opening of online applications. Notification date was April 1, 2015, with Award Term stretching from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016

More information: www.conquercancerfoundation.org/cancer-professionals/funding-opportunities/young-investigator-award; www.conquercancerfoundation.org/sites/conquercancerfoundation.org/files/2015_yia_rfp_final-8-18.pdf 

Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund and the Simons Foundation

Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in the Neurosciences

$225,000 payable over a three-year period beginning July 1. It may be used for salary support, research assistants, equipment, or for any other purpose which promotes the scientific activities of the Klingenstein-Simons Fellow. The award is for the exclusive use of the Fellow and may not be used for institutional or departmental support. No provision is made for institutional overhead, but fringe benefits may be charged to the award. Payments will be made to the investigator's institution with the understanding that the total amount of the award is to be made available to the Klingenstein-Simons Fellow, and will be transferred (together with any purchased equipment) should the Fellow change institutions. Annual reviews of the Fellow's activities and the funds disbursed will be required

Eligibility: To qualify for an award investigators must hold the Ph.D. and/or M.D. degrees, and have completed all research training, including post-doctoral training. Applications will be reviewed, and selections made by an Advisory Committee of distinguished neuroscientists. The candidate must be an independent investigator, within four years (before July 1, 2015) of receiving his/her first tenure track appointment at a university or medical institution. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, but it is expected that candidates will be permanent residents of the U.S. and that their research will be carried out in U.S. institutions. Klingenstein-Simons Fellows must obtain approval before accepting awards from other foundations.

Several areas within the neurosciences are of particular interest: Cellular and molecular neuroscience—Studies of the mechanisms of neuronal excitability and development, and of the genetic basis of behavior; neural systems—Studies of the integrative function of the nervous system; and clinical research—Studies designed to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and our understanding of the causes of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Purpose: Support young investigators in the early stages of their careers who are engaged in basic or clinical research that may lead to a better understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Previously known as the Klingenstein Fellowship Awards in the Neurosciences, this year's awards are the second from this joint project of the Klingenstein Fund and the Simons Foundation. The awards are envisioned to promote higher-risk, and potentially higher-reward, projects.

Activity status: Applications were due March 10

More information: www.klingfund.org/index.php 

Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF)

Clinical Investigator Career Development Award

A total of $225,000 to grantees over three years. The grant provides salary support in the amount of $70,000 per year. Incidental funds of $5,000 per year, which may be budgeted for research supplies or professional development expenses such as tuition, registration fees, and travel for courses and meetings that are integral to the Career Development Plan. This grant does not provide institutional overhead

Eligibility: No greater than five years of experience beyond completion of their fellowship or post-doctoral training (the five year limit may be non-sequential in cases of interruptions for pregnancy or illness). Applicants must be licensed physicians at a clinical research institution in the U.S. or Canada for the duration of the grant, and intending to pursue a career in lymphoma clinical research. Applicants should be clinical physicians in one of the ACGME accredited specialties (e.g., hematology/oncology, pathology, dermatology, radiation oncology). The applicant must be an advanced fellow or junior faculty member with no greater than 5 years of experience beyond completion of his/her fellowship or post-doctoral training (the five-year limit may be non-sequential) at the start of the award period. Persons with nontraditional career tracks are encouraged to apply. They should have participated in developing new therapeutics and/or diagnostic tools for lymphoma.

Applicants must demonstrate that they already possess a broad knowledge of lymphoma biology and treatment and their desire to apply this knowledge to developing and evaluating new treatments. There must be a Primary Mentor at the applicant’s institution who will oversee the applicant’s research training. The Primary Mentor may support only one applicant per year. In addition to the Primary Mentor, the applicant is encouraged to enlist Associate Mentor(s) to provide specialized training and assistance. The support of an Associate Mentor with expertise in biostatistics is particularly important. The Clinical Investigator must spend 35% to 50% of his/her time in research. This time should be free of major patient care, teaching, or administrative responsibilities.

The Clinical Investigator will have primary responsibility for the design, protocol writing, IRB submission, conduct, analysis, and publication of one or more clinical trials during the award period. The applicant may not simultaneously receive another competitive career development award (such as NIH K-series awards) or have received such an award in the past. Supply and material costs for the clinical research project should be supported by another grant or from institutional funds. Applicants must provide evidence of adequate research support. LRF must be informed as to the sources and the amounts of all other funding received by the LRF Fellow during the term of the LRF Grant. Failure to comply may result in termination of the LRF Grant. All LRF applications are self-initiated. LRF does not invite applications from selected individuals, institutions, or laboratories.

Purpose: Designed to support physician investigators at the level of advanced fellow or junior faculty member who will contribute to the development of new lymphoma therapies and diagnostic tools. The goal of the program is to prepare physician investigators to design and administer clinical research studies in lymphoma and assume primary responsibilities for clinical research, protocol writing, Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission and publication.

Activity status: Deadline was September 3, 2014, followed by applicant notification date of December 2014, with the earliest project start date being March 1, 2015

More information: www.lymphoma.org/atf/cf/%7Baaf3b4e5-2c43-404c-afe5-fd903c87b254%7D/CDA_RFP.PDF

National MS Society

Career Transition Fellowship

Maximum funding: Approximately $550,000 over five years to support a two-year period of advanced postdoctoral training in MS research and the first three years of research support in a new faculty appointment. Annual salary for training period ranges from $44,100 for less than one year of relevant postdoctoral experience, to $58,036 for seven or more years. No additional costs for fringe benefits are allowed. Fellows may spend up to 10% of their time in teaching or clinical duties, if appropriate. Allowance of no more than $7,850 per year may be made to help institutions defray the costs of providing the fellow's training, but only when such funds are requested in the original application and approved by the Society. These funds should be used primarily to help underwrite the costs of individual medical insurance for the fellow,

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) and must be in a research-oriented postdoctoral training program at an academic, government, or non-profit research institution. Individuals with less than two or more than five years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application are ineligible for this award. Clinically related training periods such as medical residencies or sub-specialty fellowships will not be counted towards postdoctoral research experience.

Purpose: Fostering the development and productivity of young scientists who have potential to make significant contributions to MS research and help ensure the future and stability of MS research.

Deadline: Preliminary application due April 15; Full application due August 12

More information: www.nationalmssociety.org/For-Professionals/Researchers/Society-Funding/Training-Grants-and-Fellowships/Career-Transition-Fellowships ; Policies and Procedures: Research Funding Programs and Awards www.nationalmssociety.org

 

Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar Awards

Salary: Capped at $199,700. Candidate must spend at least 20% of his or her time working on the research award in order to request salary support. Up to 75% of annual salary support may be requested (but in no case exceed $75,000 in the first year), with a 3% annual increase in each of the remaining four years. Salary for Postdoctoral Research

Associates: Scale starting at $42,000 for less than one year’s experience, climbing each year to $55,272 for seven or more years’ experience.

Research Support: The maximal direct costs that may be requested in the grant budget of the award is $30,000 in the first year, increasing incrementally each year up to $40,000 in the last year. Research budget may include laboratory personnel costs (excluding applicant's salary which is requested separately), fringe benefits at the rate current in the sponsoring institution and proportional to that part of the salary contributed by the Society, patient costs directly relevant to the research and not obtainable from other sources, equipment and consumable supplies (including any type of laboratory supplies and purchase and maintenance of experimental animals), limited travel funds and occasionally other costs. The grantee institution holds title to equipment purchased with award funds.

Eligibility: Candidates are eligible who hold a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) and have received sufficient research training at the postdoctoral level to be capable of independent research. Individuals who have already conducted independent research for more than five years after postdoctoral training are ineligible. Candidates must hold or have been offered an academic appointment at the assistant professor (or equivalent) level at an approved university, professional school or research institute in the United States at the initiation of the award.

Purpose: The awards are designed to provide salary and grant support for a five year period, thus permitting the awardee to establish competence in his/her chosen research area.

Activity status: Deadline August 12, with earliest possible start date July 1, 2016. Application must be made jointly by a candidate and the institution in which an appointment is held.

More information: www.nationalmssociety.org/For-Professionals/Researchers/Society-Funding/Training-Grants-and-Fellowships/Harry-Weaver-Neuroscience-Scholar-Awards ; Policies and Procedures: Research Funding Programs and Awards www.nationalmssociety.org

National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Brain Foundation (ABF)

Clinician Scientist Development Awards

The Society will provide a base salary for each year dependent on the post-graduate year (PGY) level of the applicant; starting at $51,584 for PGY-4, rising to $58,036 for PGY-7 or more. The Society will also provide $7,850 as an institutional allowance, while ABF will provide an additional $25,000 to supplement the base salary in each year. No additional funds for fringe benefits or indirect costs are allowed. Allowance of no more than $7,850 per year will be provided to institutions, primarily to help underwrite the costs of individual medical insurance for the fellow. Supplementation of the award with other grants or by the fellowship institution is permissible, but fellows may not accept other fellowships, similar awards, or have another source of support for more than 50% of their research salary while holding this award.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold an M.D., D.O. or equivalent clinical degree from an accredited institution, and must be licensed to practice medicine in the United States. Applicants must be at the PGY-4 or PGY-5 stage of an accredited residency program in the United States at the time of application. Fellowships will initiate upon completion of residency training. Applicants must arrange a proposed training program with an appropriate mentor at a U.S. institution prior to submitting an application. Training may occur with the applicant’s current institution or may take place at a new institution. A plan of training must be formulated and agreed on by the mentor and the applicant, and described in detail in the application.

Purpose: Support the training of young clinicians committed to careers in academic medicine with an emphasis on MS clinical research. The intent of this program is to support three years of research training in an environment where talented young clinicians address problems in multiple sclerosis with the most current scientific tools. It is expected that upon completion of the program, participants will be committed to a research or combined clinical/research career and will be in line to direct robust research programs relevant to MS in their clinical department.

Activity status: Deadline August 12, with earliest possible start date July 1, 2016. Application must be made jointly by a candidate and the institution in which an appointment is held.

More information: www.nationalmssociety.org/For-Professionals/Researchers/Society-Funding/Training-Grants-and-Fellowships/Clinician-Scientist-Development-Awards ; Policies and Procedures: Research Funding Programs and Other Awards www.nationalmssociety.org

NIH

Pathway to Independence Awards (PI; K99/R00 or “Kangaroo”)1

Five-year, two-phase program consisting of Mentored Phase (K99), which provides one to two years of mentored support for “highly” promising postdoctoral research scientists; and Independent Phase (R00), which provides up to three years of additional independent support if the PI has secured an independent tenure-track or equivalent research position. Award budgets are composed of salary and other program-related expenses.

In the K99 Phase, salary and research costs may be requested up to the level provided by the awarding Institute or Center. (See: grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/parent_K99_R00.html) Requested salary must be consistent both with the established salary structure at the institution and with salaries actually provided by the institution from its own funds to other staff members with equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned. Extramural sponsoring institution may supplement the NIH salary contribution up to a level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale. Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs.

In the R00 Phase, total costs may not exceed $249,000 per year. This amount includes salary, fringe benefits, research costs, and applicable indirect costs. Indirect costs will be reimbursed at the extramural sponsoring institution’s indirect cost rate. Indirect costs requested by consortium participants are included in the total cost limitation.

Eligibility: Principal Investigators, including “outstanding” postdoctoral candidates with clinical or research doctorates (including Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.C., N.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., Sc.D., D.N.S., Pharm.D. or equivalent doctoral degrees), and no more than four years of postdoctoral research training; PI not required to be a U.S. citizen; Non-U.S. foreign institutions and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are ineligible.

Purpose: Increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NIH-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions, and to provide independent NIH research support during the transition that will help these individuals launch competitive, independent research careers

Activity status: Support goal: Deadlines are February 12, June 12, and October 12 annually for standard applications; January 7, May 7, and September 7 annually for AIDS-related applications; and March 12, July 12, and November 12 annually for renewal, resubmission, and revision applications. Program renewed through Jan. 8, 2017.

More information: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-15-083.html (PA-14-042 reissued January 8, 2015 as 15-083); grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/QsandAs.htm (Frequently Asked Questions).

 

NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program (DP2)

Up to $300,000 in direct costs each year, with a maximum project period of five years, plus applicable Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs to be determined at the time of award. Funds may be requested for personnel (including collaborators), supplies, equipment, sub-contracts, and other allowable costs. Awardees are required to commit at least 25% of their research effort each year to the project supported by the New Innovator Award.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet the definition of an Early Stage Investigator (ESI), a new investigator (defined as a PD/PI who has not completed successfully for a significant NIH independent research award) who is within 10 years of completing his/her terminal research degree or is within 10 years of completing medical residency (or the equivalent). An extension to the 10-year period may be granted under special circumstances (e.g., family care responsibilities, extended periods of clinical training, disability or illness, etc). Applicants also must hold an independent research position at a domestic (U.S.) institution as of September 1 of the fiscal year of the competition. For the purpose of this FOA, “independent research position” means a position that automatically confers eligibility, by the applicant’s institutional policy, for an investigator to apply for R01 grants, with an appropriate commitment of facilities to be used for the conduct of the propose research. Investigators still in training or mentored status (postdoctoral fellows) are not eligible to apply unless they have a written commitment of an independent faculty position as of September 1 of the fiscal year of the competition that is certified by submission of the application from that institution. Applicants may submit or have an R01 (or other equivalent) grant application pending concurrently with their New Innovator Award application. However, if that pending grant is awarded in the fiscal year of the competition with a start date of September 30 or earlier in that fiscal year, then the applicant is no longer eligible to receive the New Innovator Award.

Purpose: Created in 2007 to support a small number of early stage investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative new research approaches that have the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important problems in biomedical and behavioral research. The New Innovator Awards are designed to complement ongoing efforts by NIH and its Institutes and Centers to fund early stage investigators through R01 grants, which continue to be the major sources of NIH support for early stage investigators.

Activity status: Submission deadlines of September 16, 2015, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

More information: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-13-007.html (Funding opportunity announcement); commonfund.nih.gov/newinnovator/index (Program’s web page)

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Alan T. Waterman Award

$1 million grant over five years, in addition to a medal, for scientific research or advanced study in the mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, social, or other sciences at the institution of the recipient's choice.

Eligibility: Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be 35 years of age or younger or not more than seven years beyond receipt of the Ph.D. degree by December 31 of the year in which they are nominated. Candidates should have demonstrated exceptional individual achievements in scientific or engineering research of sufficient quality to place them at the forefront of their peers.

Purpose: Recognize outstanding young researchers in any field of science or engineering supported by NSF.

Activity status: 2015 award winner(s) yet to be named; deadline for nominations was November 2, 2014, at 12 a.m. The last winner, announced last year, was Feng Zhang, Ph.D., a core member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, “for development and application of molecular technologies that enable systematic interrogation of intact biological systems through precise genomic manipulation.”

More information: www.nsf.gov/od/waterman/waterman.jsp ; www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=102999www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards/watermanHome.do (award criteria)

 

Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program [including Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)]

Minimum $500,000 for five years for grants from candidates submitting grant proposals to the Directorate of Biological Sciences (BIO), the Directorate for Engineering (ENG), or the Office of Polar Programs (PLR); Support for senior personnel is allowed only for the PI's salary. Support for other senior personnel is not permitted, either in the primary budget or in any sub-awards. All other allowable costs, as described in the Grant Proposal Guide, are permitted. Allowable costs include funds for postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, summer salary, education or outreach activities, support for an evaluator, travel and subsistence expenses for the PI and U.S. participants when working abroad with foreign collaborators, and consultant expenses

Each year NSF selects what it deems the most meritorious recent Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program awardees for nominations for the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award is honorary for all NSF recipients and does not provide additional funds. Awards are initiated by NSF and eight other participating federal agencies. At NSF, up to 20 nominees for this award are selected each year, with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy making the final selection and announcement of awardees.

Eligibility: Candidates must hold a doctoral degree, by the deadline date, in a field supported by NSF; be untenured until October 1 following the deadline; and have not previously received a CAREER award. They must be employed in a tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) position as an assistant professor (or equivalent title) at an accredited institution or non-profit, non-degree-granting organization such as a museum, observatory, or research lab located in the U.S., its territories, or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, that awards degrees in a field supported by NSF.

Purpose: CAREER is NSF’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.

Activity status: Full proposal due July 21 of this year and July 20, 2016, by 5 p.m. proposer’s local time to NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences

More information: www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15555/nsf15555.htm#awd_info (CAREER and PECASE program solicitation); www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503214 (CAREER information); www.nsf.gov/od/iia/activities/pecase  (PECASE information)

Rockland Immunochemicals

Joy Cappel Young Investigator Awards

$4,000 credit for polyclonal antibody development provided by Rockland, with a total $100,000 being awarded this year to 25 qualified candidates. Award includes antigen design, peptide synthesis, peptide conjugation to KLH for immunization, peptide conjugation to BSA for testing by ELISA, peptide conjugation to solid phase beads for immunoaffinity purification, immunizations, pre-immune serum and antibody test collections, analysis by ELISA of test samples, production antibody collection, immunoaffinity purification of peptide specific antibody, and final qualification by ELISA and/or western blot or similar immunoassay.

Recipient investigators will be given access to Rockland’s antibody development team and products. Rockland scientists will work with recipients toward shared goals with open sharing of information and data. Successful award winners will be able to develop and characterize an antibody which meets their research objectives.

Eligibility: Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or recipients of advanced degrees (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) within the last five years.

Purpose: Foster research conducted by a promising post-doctoral fellow, graduate student or young investigator in the areas of oncology, nuclear signaling, developmental biology, epigenetics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, signal transduction or stem cell technology.

Activity status: Deadline for filing an award submission is August 31, 2015.  Awards may be made throughout the year. All awards will be honored prior to December 31, 2015.

More information: www.rockland-inc.com/young-investigators

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Sloan Research Fellowships

$50,000 fellowship for a two-year period awarded yearly to 126 researchers—including 16 in neuroscience and 12 in computational and evolutionary molecular biology—“in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field.” Funds from the Sloan Research Fellowships are awarded directly to the Fellow’s institution and may be used over a two-year period by the Fellow for any activity supportive of the Fellow’s research, such as equipment, technical assistance, professional travel, or trainee support. The Fellow's institution is required to report annually on expenditures from the Fellowship grant. The Fellow must submit a brief scientific progress report annually, followed by a final report. Reprints or preprints of scientific papers may be submitted in lieu of such reports.

Purpose: Stimulate fundamental research by early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise.

Eligibility: Candidates must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in chemistry, computational or evolutionary molecular biology, computer science, economics, mathematics, neuroscience, ocean sciences, physics, or a related field; Candidates must hold a tenure track (or equivalent) position at a college, university, or other degree-granting institution in the United States or Canada. Tenure track positions faculty positions at the candidate's institution must include a yearly teaching requirement; Candidates' most recent Ph.D. must have been awarded on or after September 2008, though the selection committee may make exceptions for candidates who were awarded their Ph.D. prior to September 1, 2008 if their careers were disrupted due to military service, child-rearing, or a change of field. The Committee may also make exceptions for candidates who are currently serving in their first faculty position and who were appointed to that position on or after September 1, 2012. While Fellows are expected to be at an early stage of their research careers, there should be strong evidence of independent research accomplishments. Candidates in all fields are normally below the rank of associate professor and do not hold tenure, but these are not strict requirements.

Activity status: Open; all nomination materials, including nomination letters and all letters of support, must be submitted online no later than 11:59PM EDT, September 15, 2015. 

More information: www.sloan.org/sloan-research-fellowships

The Sontag Foundation

Distinguished Scientist Awards

Four-year grant totaling a maximum of $600,000 (Up to $150,000 each of four years). Number of awards given is dependent upon receipt of applications of high scientific merit. Funding period for 2015 grants begin on or about October 15, 2015 and end on September 30, 2019. Budgets must be approved in advance; funds will be disbursed to the institution in quarterly payments for up to four years, depending upon evidence of satisfactory progress. Progress reports must be received and approved prior to second, third and fourth year of funding. Foundation will allow up to 15% of the award to support institutional overhead.

Purpose: Support early career scientists “with the potential to create new waves across the brain cancer field.”

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in a discipline “which can be brought to bear on” brain cancer. At the time of application, applicants must hold their first independent full-time faculty appointment at the level of assistant professor, independent researcher or equivalent position at a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) academic, research or medical institution within the U.S. or an equivalent institution in Canada. If the institution grants tenure, the qualifying appointment must be on the tenure track. Applicant's initial faculty appointment must have been made no earlier than March 1, 2012. Applicant's career track and proposed research should demonstrate potential to generate new knowledge relating to causes, cure or treatment of primary brain tumors/brain cancer. Research proposal submitted for funding must be a primary focus of applicant. More than one individual from the same institution may apply for this award. Reapplications in subsequent years of eligibility will be accepted by invitation only.

Activity status: Deadline was noon, March 19. Final selections for 2015 awards will be announced in October 2015.

More information: www.sontagfoundation.org/Display.aspx?id=38

Swedish Research Council

Project Research Grant for Junior Researchers (Medicine and Health)

Minimum SEK 300 000 (more than $35,000) per year, including indirect costs ; maximum SEK 1.5 million (more than $176,000). Grant is awarded for a period of up to four years, starting from January 2016, when grant disbursements will start at the earliest. Grants can cover all types of project-related costs, such as salaries, rental, and property costs, operating costs and depreciation costs. It may be used to pay the applicant’s salary, which must equal their participation level in the project and not exceed 75%of a full-time salary. The grant may not, however, be used for scholarships. If a doctoral student takes part in the project, the grant may not be used to pay for his/her teaching hours.

Eligibility: Individual researchers in the medicine and health sciences who also serve as project leaders and and scientific project supervisors. The applicant's active participation in the project must at least equal 20% of a full-time position. Eligible researchers must hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree. The doctoral degree must have been awarded at least two years and no more than seven years before deadline. The date of issue will be considered to be the point in time when all the requirements of the degree were fulfilled (for example mandatory courses, the oral public defense of the doctoral thesis and the approved doctoral thesis).

Purpose: Give researchers early in their careers an opportunity to build up and develop a research activity.

Activity status: Deadline was March 26. In the beginning of November 2015 at the latest, the Swedish Research Council said, it will publish the grant funding decisions on its website. Notification of decisions and final statements will then be published in applicants’ personal Prisma electronic application system accounts. Grant disbursements will start in January 2016 at the earliest.

More information: Project Research Grant for Junior Researcher www.vr.se/inenglish/researchfunding/applyforgrants; Project Research Grant for Junior Researchers (MH) www.vr.se/inenglish/researchfunding/applyforgrants

 

Project Research Grant for Junior Researchers (Natural and Engineering Sciences)

Minimum SEK 300 000 (more than $35,000) per year, including indirect costs. Grant is awarded for a period of up to four years, starting from January 2016, when grant disbursements will start at the earliest. Grants can cover any type of project-related costs for salaries, rental and property costs, operating costs and depreciation costs. It may be used to pay the applicant’s salary, which must equal their participation level in the project and not exceed 75% of a full-time salary. The grant may not, however, be used for scholarships. If a doctoral student takes part in the project, the grant may not be used to pay for his/her teaching hours.

Eligibility: Individual researchers in the natural and engineering sciences who also serve as project leaders and have the scientific responsibility for their project. The applicant's active participation in the project must at least equal 20% of a full-time position. Eligible researchers must hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree. The doctoral degree must have been awarded at least two years and no more than seven years before deadline. The date of issue will be considered to be the point in time when all the requirements of the degree were fulfilled (for example mandatory courses, the oral public defense of the doctoral thesis and the approved doctoral thesis).

Purpose: Give researchers early in their careers an opportunity to build up and develop a research activity.

Activity status: Deadline was March 31. In the beginning of November 2015 at the latest, the Swedish Research Council said, it will publish the grant funding decisions on its website. Notification of decisions and final statements will then be published in applicants’ personal Prisma electronic application system accounts. Grant disbursements will start in January 2016 at the earliest.

More information: Project Research Grant for Junior Researcher www.vr.se/inenglish/researchfunding/applyforgrants

Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

Postdoctoral fellowships in Japan

Covers one to two-year stay in Japan at an academic institution funded by JSPS. The work in Japan should be focused on research within some of the prioritized areas of SSF (which include life sciences, life science technologies and bioengineering) and conducted at a Japanese host institution that is approved by JSPS.

Eligibility: Doctoral students or Ph.D. holders who have a background in the life sciences, engineering or the natural sciences. Applicants must have received their doctoral degree prior to the start of the stay in Japan. The degree may not be more than six years old, counting from April 1, 2015. Applicants must be a Swedish citizen or have a permanent residence permit in Sweden. In the latter case the applicants should have a permanent position in Sweden or have been active at a Swedish research institution during their Ph.D. studies or otherwise for three to four years. Applicant must, in advance, arrange a research plan together with the Japanese host.

Purpose: Encouraging young Swedish researchers to conduct cooperative research activities with leading Japanese research groups. The purpose of the stay in Japan is to receive qualified research training in an international environment where scientists of different backgrounds address topics with the potential to contribute to progress in several dimensions of the selected research theme. Multidisciplinary applications are prioritized.

Activity status: Deadline for applications was February 26. SSF will select and nominate a maximum of five candidates to JSPS, which will decide the recipients of the fellowships. Decisions expected by May 2015. Fellows must start their fellowship in Japan between August 1 and November 30.

More information: www.stratresearch.se/Documents/Announcement%20JSPS-SSF%202015.pdf

Tri-Institutional Breakout Awards for Junior Investigators

Maximum funding: $25,000 awarded each year to between three and six postdoctoral trainees deemed outstanding.

The awards program was established in 2014 by three winners of 2014 Breakthrough Prizes—Charles L. Sawyers, M.D., of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Cornelia I. Bargmann, Ph.D., of the Rockefeller University; and Lewis C. Cantley, Ph.D., of Weill Cornell Medical College.

Eligibility: One prize will be awarded to an applicant from each of the three founding institutions. Additional awards will be given to the best candidates, regardless of their institutional affiliation.

Purpose: Recognize and encourage promising early-career investigators, specifically postdoctoral trainees.

Activity status: Nominations can be submitted online through May 31, 2015. Winners of 2016 prizes are expected to be announced in the fall of 2015.

More information: newswire.rockefeller.edu/paying-it-forward-breakthrough-prize-winners-and-institutions-commit-3-million-in-support-of-next-generation-of-scientists ; newswire.rockefeller.edu/2014/05/12/tri-institutional-breakthrough-prize-winners-establish-new-award-for-postdocs

Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation

Wallenberg Academy Fellows

SEK 5 million to 9 million (about $765,000 to about $1.4 million) per researcher over five years; Fellows can apply for an additional five years of funding. Goal is to support up to 125 young researchers between 2012 and 2016 with a potential total of SEK 1.2 billion (about $184 million).

Eligibility: Swedish and foreign researchers from all academic disciplines; engineering sciences, humanities, medicine, natural sciences and social science, as well as interdisciplinary approaches. Researchers eligible for nomination this year must have received their doctoral degree after January 1, 2005. Researchers who have defended their thesis before that date and who since have been absent for an extended period of time due to illness or parental leave, may have the date adjusted by the duration of said absence.

Activity status: Evaluation of candidates has begun following deadline of March 1. Evaluation groups present what they deem the most promising candidates to the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, which selects a group of researchers in November. Thirteen grant winners in natural sciences and eight in medicine were among 33 winners named on November 29, 2013 from 120 nominees.

Purpose: Provide the most prominent, young researchers long-term funding, thus enabling them to concentrate on their research. The program is also designed to contribute to greater internationalization of the Swedish research community.

More information: www.wallenbergacademyfellows.org/Nomination

Note:
1 Each of NIH’s 27 institutes and centers maintains separate periodic funding opportunities for young investigators, and separate policies governing those programs. See for example www.nhlbi.nih.gov/research/training/programs/postdoc/pathway-parent-k99-r00 ; and www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/CareerDev/Pages/PathwayIndependence.aspx

 

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