Limited and External Funding Opportunities

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Active Internal Calls for Limited Submission Nominations
Active Calls for NON-Limited External Opportunities

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Email LSO@vanderbilt.edu if you are interested in an opportunity not listed below or have questions regarding the LSO submission process.

Active Internal Calls for Limited Submission Nominations

Internal review process required to choose institutional nominees

Limited Submission Eligibility Guidelines

The following tags serve as a guide for submission instructions.

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC)

VU and VUMC submit collaboratively to this LSO. ALL investigators should follow the guidelines posted on this site.

VUMC

VU and VUMC submit separately to this LSO. VUMC investigators should follow the guidelines posted on this site. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY

High-profile or prestigious awards of particular interest to Vanderbilt investigators

2020 Sloan Research Fellowships

VUMC: These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

The Sloan Research Fellowships seek to stimulate fundamental research by early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise.

These two-year fellowships are awarded yearly to 126 researchers in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field. The 2020 Sloan Research Fellows will receive fellowships in the amount of $75,000.

Eligibility:

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in chemistry, computer science, economics, mathematics, molecular biology, neuroscience, ocean sciences, physics, or a related field.
Candidates must be members of the faculty of a college, university, or other degree-granting institution in the U.S. or Canada.
Candidates must be tenure-track, though untenured, as of September 16, 2019.
Candidate’s faculty position must carry a regular teaching obligation.

Internal Application Process:

VUMC does not have a centralized review process for this opportunity. Submissions are limited to 3 applications/ department. Please contact your departmental administrator for guidance.

W.M. Keck Foundation Research Program (Fall 2019)

Applications due July 11

VUMC: These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

Overview:

VUMC may submit up to two proposals, one in Medical Research and one in Science and Engineering, for the W.M. Keck Foundation Research Program. We are currently soliciting concept papers to be presented to the Keck Foundation for feedback in a consultation phone call. The goal of the program is to benefit humanity by supporting work that has a distinctive and novel approach, questions a prevailing paradigm, or has the potential to break open new territory in a field. Grants are typically awarded for roughly $1,000,000 and abstracts from previously funded proposals can be found here.

Program Priorities for Funding:

Focus on important and emerging areas of research
Have the potential to develop breakthrough technologies, instrumentation or methodologies
Are innovative, distinctive and interdisciplinary
Demonstrate a high level of risk due to unconventional approaches, or by challenging the prevailing paradigm
Have the potential for transformative impact, such as the founding of a new field of research, the enabling of observations not previously possible, or the altered perception of a previously intractable problem
Does not focus on clinical or translational research, treatment trials or research for the sole purpose of drug development
Fall outside the mission of public funding agencies
Demonstrate that private philanthropy generally, and the W. M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project’s success

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s nominee must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on July 11, 2019.

1-page Concept Paper (See guidelines below)
Statement of support from department chair/center director;
NIH Biosketch

Concept Paper Requirements:

Must be single page with 12 point font and 1 inch margins
Please indicate the area of emphasis for the project – “medical research” or “science and engineering research”
Include an overview of the proposed project emphasizing any unique aspects and pilot studies.
Include a description of the methodologies and key personnel
Include a brief justification of the need for Keck support (evidence that proposed research is a poor fit for federal funding opportunities, i.e. reviewer comments or program officer discussion)
Include an estimated budget broken down, if possible, by major areas, e.g., personnel, equipment, consumable supplies, etc. (budgets can be rough approximations at this stage)

Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

2020 Searle Scholars Program

Applications due July 15

VUMC: These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

Overview:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center may nominate two candidates for the 2020 Searle Scholars Program, which supports the independent research of outstanding individuals who have recently begun their first appointments as tenure-track assistant professors. The Searle Scholars Program Scientific Advisory Board is primarily interested in the potential of applicants to make innovative and high-impact contributions to biomedical research over an extended period of time. Each year, 15 new individuals are named Searle Scholars and awarded $300,000 over three years. Indirect costs are not permitted.

Eligibility:

Applicants are expected to be pursuing independent research careers in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related areas in chemistry, medicine, and the biological sciences.
Applicants should have begun their appointment as an independent investigator at the assistant professor level on or after July 1, 2018. The appointment must be their first tenure-track position.
The Program does not support purely clinical research but has supported research programs that include both clinical and basic components.
Applicants who were nominated for awards in the previous competition year but were not awarded may still meet the eligibility criteria for the current competition. *Contact LSO@vanderbilt.edu if this applies.

Potential applicants who are unsure if their research is appropriate for the Program are encouraged to examine the research interests of present and former Searle Scholars.

Internal Application Process:

Eligible faculty interested in being one of VUMC’s nominees must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on July 15, 2019:

Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget (overhead not allowed);
Letter of support from department chair/center director;
1. Letter must acknowledge that this grant does not allow indirect costs.** This statement can be used/modified: “The Department recognizes that this grant does not allow indirect costs and will commit to covering any associated indirect costs per applicable institutional policy.”
NIH Biosketch

**Process for cost-sharing typically coordinated at the departmental level and approved by department chair and/or dean. Please consult LSO@vanderbilt.edu for further guidance.

Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email.

Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

Active Calls for NON-Limited External Opportunities

Internal review process NOT required- Submit directly to Sponsor

HESI THRIVE Grant – Making Cancer Patient Quality of Life an Active Research Priority

Letters of Intent Due July 1

THRIVE, a partner in the 2018 Biden Cancer Initiative, provides seed grants for nonclinical, clinical, and translational research and technology-based solutions that enhance our ability to predict when and how adverse effects may occur in patients who have received cancer treatment. THRIVE also supports the development of approaches to avoid or lessen these effects.

The THRIVE grant program is designed to provide seed funding to investigators for the testing of initial hypotheses and collecting of preliminary data to help secure long-term funding by the National Institutes of Health and/or other major granting institutions.

Most awards will be within the range of $20,000 - $50,000 over 24 months. Upon agreement to THRIVE award terms, THRIVE will disburse 75% of funds with the remaining provided upon completion of the study milestones

American Diabetes Association Core Program (Multiple Award Types)

Applications Due July 15

The American Diabetes Association’s Core Research Program funds research with novel and innovative hypotheses in any area relevant to the etiology or pathophysiology of diabetes and its complications that hold significant promise for advancing the prevention, cure or treatment of diabetes. Basic, clinical, translational and epidemiological or health services research approaches are encouraged. Multiple Research, Development, and Training award types are currently being solicited.

Please note the ADA Pathway Award is a limited submission opportunity. VUMC's 2019 applicant has already been selected through an internal competition.

Alkermes Pathways Awards for Research on Substance Use Disorders or Schizophrenia

Applications due July 31

With millions of people impacted by central nervous system disorders, more research is urgently needed to bring relief to those who are suffering. The ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS program furthers our commitment to serving the needs of patients and is designed to support the next generation of researchers who are working on the front-lines to advance our understanding and awareness of central nervous system disorders.

In its second year (2019), the ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS program will support projects focused on substance use disorders (SUDs) and schizophrenia.

Open to early career investigators committed to advancing research in SUDs and schizophrenia, the annual Pathways program provides funding for up to 8 research projects with an individual grant amount of up to $100,000 per project. Alkermes has reserved 4 awards for the SUDs program and 4 for the schizophrenia program.

This grant is for investigators who are in the early stages of their career; specifically, they may be the recipient of a career development (K) award or other mentored research grant, but not a funded R01 grant or equivalent at the time of application. Researchers with an academic position above assistant professor are not eligible.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Awards- Multiple Award Types

Applications due August 1

To recognize scientists, engineers, authors, journalists, and public servants for significant contributions to science and the public’s understanding of science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) sponsors a wide range of awards and prizes.

All award winners are expected to meet the commonly held standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.

The 2020 awards cycle is now open and the deadline for most awards is August 1, 2019. Please see the website for specific details for each award regarding eligibility requirements and deadlines.

Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) 2019 Bridge to Independence Award

Letters of intent due August 8

The Bridge to Independence (BTI) Award program promotes talented early-career scientists by facilitating their transition to research independence and providing grant funding at the start of their professorships. Awardees will receive a commitment of $495,000 over three years, activated upon assumption of a tenure-track professorship at a U.S. or Canadian research institution.

This RFA is aimed at senior postdoctoral fellows who intend to seek tenure-track faculty positions during the 2019–2020 academic year. The program’s selection process is uniquely designed to enhance the BTI awardees’ job prospects by specifying SFARI’s financial commitment contingent upon successful transitions to tenure-track faculty positions. We welcome applications that span the breadth of science that SFARI normally supports, including genetics, molecular mechanisms, circuits and systems, and clinical science. While we encourage applications from postdoctoral fellows who are working on autism-related projects, we would like to stress that this award is also open to researchers who are not currently working on autism but who are interested in starting research projects in this area and have expertise that could be brought to bear on this complex disorder.

Canada's 2019-2020 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Competition

Applications due September 18

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship is Canada’s most prestigious and highest valued award for postdoctoral researchers today. The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program is designed to support world-class postdoctoral researchers. The fellowship provides $70,000 per year for two years. The program is open to both Canadian and international researchers who have recently completed a PhD, PhD- equivalent, or health professional degree. Applications must be completed in full collaboration with the proposed host institution.

NIH Director’s Transformative Research Awards (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

Applications due September 21

This program supports collaborative investigative teams or individual scientists who propose unusually innovative research projects, which, if successful, would have a major impact in a broad area of relevance to the NIH.

To be considered transformative, projects must have the potential to create or overturn fundamental scientific paradigms through novel approaches, transform the way research is conducted through the development of novel tools or technologies, or lead to major improvements in health through the development of highly innovative therapies, diagnostic tools, or preventive strategies. Consistent with this focus, Transformative Research Award applications should reflect ideas substantially different from mainstream concepts.

American Heart Association 2020 Career Development Award

Applications due October 15

Statement of Purpose: Supports highly promising healthcare and academic professionals, in the early years of one’s first professional appointment, to explore innovative questions or pilot studies that will provide preliminary data and training necessary to assure the applicant’s future success as a research scientist. The award will develop the research skills to support and greatly enhance the awardee’s chances to obtain and retain a high-quality career position.

Science Focus: The AHA funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research, bioengineering/biotechnology and public health problems broadly related to fulfilling our mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives..

Disciplines: AHA awards are open to the array of academic and health professionals. This includes but is not limited to all academic disciplines (biology, chemistry, mathematics, technology, physics, etc.) and all health-related professions (physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physical and occupational therapists, statisticians, nutritionists, behavioral scientists, engineers, etc.). Clinical, translational, population, behavioral, and basic scientists are encouraged to apply AHA strongly encourages applications by women, underrepresented minorities in the sciences, and those who have experienced diverse and non-traditional career trajectories.

Eligibility: At the time of application, the applicant must hold an M.D., Ph.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S., or equivalent post-baccalaureate doctoral degree.

Postdoctoral fellows are eligible to apply and must have attained faculty appointment by the time of award activation.
The AHA will permit a Career Development Awardee to concurrently hold an NIH K award. if there is no budgetary overlap. NIH K99/R00 awardees may apply if they will be in the R00 stage of the award at time of AHA Career Development Award activation.

At the time of award activation:

An awardee must hold a faculty/staff position up to and including the rank of assistant professor (or equivalent).
No more than five years may have elapsed since the first faculty/staff appointment (after receipt of doctoral degree) at the assistant professor level or equivalent (including, but not limited to, instructor, research assistant professor, research scientist, staff scientist, etc.).
While no minimum percent effort is required, the applicant must demonstrate that adequate time will be devoted to ensuring successful completion of the project.