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

Contact us...

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

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Special Research Focus: COVID-19 Funding Opportunities

Curated collections of funding opportunities

Edge for Scholars offers curated list of COVID-19 funding opportunities

Updated regularly. Check the site often for updates about research funding opportunities, including to special calls & announcements, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Vanderbilt University sites showcase public and private COVID-19 funding

Lists of application opportunities related to COVID-19 have been shared by Office of the Vice Provost for Research (Public funders) and the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (Private funders). Updated regularly. 

GrantForward funding database provides list of COVID-19 funding opportunities

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Highlighted opportunities

NIH mobilizes $1.5B national innovation initiative for COVID-19 diagnostics

Applications accepted and funded on a rolling basis

The newly-launched NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative aims to speed innovation, development and commercialization of COVID-19 testing technologies. NIH is urging all scientists and inventors with a rapid testing technology to compete in a national COVID-19 testing challenge for a share of up to $500 million over all phases of development. The technologies will be put through a highly competitive, rapid three-phase selection process to identify the best candidates for at-home, point-of-care, and improved laboratory tests that can directly detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Finalists will be matched with technical, business and manufacturing experts, or immediately advanced to the appropriate step in the commercialization process. The program will support the full range of product development including commercialization and product distribution. A rapid review process will allow quick throughput of projects in order to roll out new products as early as summer 2020.

Apply at https://www.poctrn.org/radx

More about RADx here.

NIAID releases R01 and R21 emergency awards for rapid investigation of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis

The program provides expedited funding for research on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).This program is designed to provide expedited funding for research projects focusing on obtaining time-sensitive data in light of this public health emergency (e.g., the research questions cannot be efficiently addressed in another context and the nature of the event and/or impacted populations are well suited for the proposed study). Application budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

PAR-20-177 for R21 funding (clinical trial not allowed)

PAR-20-178 for R01 funding (clinical trial not allowed)

COVID-19-Related Enhancements to Existing PCORI Research Projects

Applications accepted on a rolling basis

PCORI seeks investigator-initiated proposals to address the COVID-19 public health crisis through enhancements of currently funded PCORI research awards. Only PCORI-funded principal investigators with active research project funding contracts are eligible to submit a proposal in response to this announcement. Awards will be up to $500,000 (direct + indirect costs) and may not increase project timeline by more than 12 months.

NIH Notice of Special Interest: Repurposing Existing Therapeutics to Address the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - Multiple Award Types

Applications due in June 2020 and later; See specific RFA for deadline

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is issuing this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) to highlight the urgent need for research on the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease it causes, COVID-19. NCATS is particularly interested in projects that repurpose existing drugs or biologics (existing therapeutics) that have already begun or completed a Phase I clinical trial.

The hypothesis for proposed studies must be developed using innovative processes to identify the therapeutic/indication pair. Examples include the following:

• Testing a publicly posted therapeutic candidate for use to treat COVID-19. Examples include clinical candidate therapeutics in documents publicly posted by the World Health Organization (types/classes of candidate therapeutics) and (candidates for clinical evaluation).
• Testing a candidate therapy to treat COVID-19 that was already identified with a publicly available computational approach.
• Testing of existing therapeutic candidates that work on mechanistic targets shared among other viruses that may be relevant to SARS-CoV-2.

NCATS is soliciting applications to PAR-17-465, PAR-18-462, and PAR-18-332:

Activity Codes	FOA Title	Applicable Dates
UG3/UH3	PAR-17-465: Bench Testing Therapeutic/Indication Paring Strategies (UG3/UH3)	Applicable Receipt Date: June 26, 2020
U34	PA-18-462:Clinical Trial Planning: Therapeutic/Indication Pairing Strategies (U34) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)	Applicable Receipt Date: October 16, 2020
U01	PAR-18-332: Clinic Testing Therapeutic/Indications Pairing Strategies (U01 Clinical Trial Required)	Applicable Receipt Dates: October 5, 2020

 

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Active Internal Calls for Limited Submission Nominations 

Internal review process required to choose institutional nominees

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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

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2021 Searle Scholars Program

Applications due July 9

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY

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 nominate two candidates for the 2021 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, 2019. 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 9: 

1. Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget (overhead not allowed);
2. 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.”
3. NIH Biosketch

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.

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The 2020 TD Ready Challenge: Innovative COVID-19 Solutions

Applications due July 9

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

Program Overview:

VUMC may submit 1 application to the TD Ready Challenge: Innovative COVID-19 Solutions. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) Ready Challenge will fund grants of up to $1 million CAD [the present equivalent of $745,000 USD**] to provide innovative solutions that address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for communities that are experiencing disproportionate impacts of COVID-19.

TD seeks applications that will help drive accelerated, sustained and equitable recovery. Applications must work to explicitly address inequities exacerbated by the pandemic, as well as one or more of the four interconnected drivers of change of the TD Ready Commitment (Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health).

The pandemic is not only a health crisis, but also a social, economic and environmental one. In the face of COVID-19, these intrinsic links have never been clearer, and a holistic approach is needed to address the impacts. Today, COVID-19 and its devastating consequences have created a remarkable climate of uncertainty that has rippled through all aspects of our society. In the past few months alone, several studies have shown the significant impacts already being felt across North America, though not all people are experiencing these effects equally. There is growing evidence that COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting certain populations across North America including:

• Individuals from racialized and/or newcomer communities;
• Those who are a part of Indigenous communities;
• Those that have unstable employment or inflexible working conditions;
• Those experiencing insecure, inadequate, or nonexistent housing conditions;
• Individuals living in remote communities and are socially or geographically isolated.

Competitive Projects Will:

• Support communities experiencing disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 based on factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and geographic location
• Address impacts of COVID-19 by demonstrating promising approaches to helping build community resilience
• Align with one or more of the drivers of change of the TD Ready Commitment (see above)
• Have wide demographic or geographical reach in the areas TD operates within across North America

• Use the grant to scale and/or replicate solutions to additional communities or populations (or pilot projects with material evidence of viable success and scalability)
• Have a clear evaluation and measurement process to track impact
• Enable new approaches that are innovative in nature

**Note that a maximum of 20% of the grant award can be directed towards overhead costs (i.e., office space and supplies, salaries, venue rentals, evaluation reporting, etc.)

See the program page and the common questions section for more information.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as VUMC’s nominee must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on July 9.

1. Brief research plan including summary budget (2 pages max, references may be included on a separate page)
2. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
3. NIH Biosketch

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

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NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

Applications due July 10

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

Optional: Attend NIH Early Independence Award Q&A Webinar at 12pm on June 29. Pre-registration required.

Overview:

VUMC may submit two applications to the NIH Director's Early Independence Award. The award, part of the NIH High-Risk High-Reward Research program, supports exceptional investigators who wish to pursue independent research essentially after completion of their terminal doctoral/research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, thereby forgoing the traditional post-doctoral training period and accelerating their entry into an independent research career. For the program to support the best possible researchers and research, applications are sought which reflect the full diversity of the research workforce. 

Those wishing to apply for the NIH Director's Emergency Early Independence Award for SARS-CoV-2-related research must apply in response to the competition titled “NIH Director’s COVID-19 Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)”

Though most newly graduated doctoral-level researchers would benefit from post-doctoral training, a small number of outstanding junior investigators are capable of launching directly into an independent research career. For those select junior investigators who already have established a record of scientific innovation and research productivity and who have demonstrated unusual scientific vision and maturity, typical post-doctoral training would unnecessarily delay their entry into independent research. The NIH Director’s Early Independence Award also provides an opportunity for institutions to invigorate their research programs by bringing in fresh scientific perspectives of the awardees they host.

By the end of the award period, the Early Independence Award investigator is expected to be competitive for continued funding of his/her research program through other NIH funding activities and for a permanent research-oriented position. See the program announcement for more information

Budget Info: Awards will be for up to $250,000 direct costs per year for 5 years.

Eligibility:

• Applications are welcome in all biomedical research topics that have the potential ultimately to have a substantial impact on human health. In addition to the nominal biomedical sciences, these include, but are not limited to, relevant research topics in the behavioral, social, applied, and formal sciences. The potential for impact on human health may be near term (clinical or translational research) or long term (basic research).
• Time window for eligibility: The receipt date of the terminal doctoral degree or end of post-graduate clinical training of the PD/PI must be between June 1, 2019 and September 30, 2021. The degree receipt date is that which appears on the official transcript for the degree. The end of post-graduate clinical training includes residency and fellowship periods.
• At the time of application, the PD/PI must not have served as a post-doctoral fellow following a previous (not the most recent) doctoral degree for more than twelve months. To be consistent with the updated NIH definition of Early Stage Investigators, eligible clinical training includes clinical residency and clinical fellowship.
• Research independence at time of application: Individuals are eligible only if they, at the time of application submission, do not have research independence. Eligible individuals must have all the following characteristics: The PD/PI's current research agenda is set through concurrence with mentors; the PD/PI's research is funded primarily through support to other investigators (mentored fellowships such as NIH F31 or F32 Fellowships or NSF Graduate Research Fellowships do not preclude eligibility); the PD/PI does not have any space assigned directly by the institution for the conduct of his/her research; the PD/PI, according to institutional policy, cannot apply for an NIH R01 grant without special waiver or exemption from the institution.
• There is no U.S. citizenship requirement for PDs/PIs.

Level of effort: Individuals must commit at least 9.6 person-months each year (i.e., 80% effort of a 12-month appointment) to the Early Independence Award project in years 1-2 of the project period. In years 3-5, awardees may reduce effort towards the Early Independence Award project but must commit at least 9.6 person-months each year (i.e., 80% effort of a 12-month appointment) to independent research in general.

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 10: 

1. Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget
2. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
3. NIH Biosketch

Submissions should reference “Director’s Award (General)” in the subject line of the email. Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

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NIH Director’s COVID-19 Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

Applications due July 10

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

Optional: Attend NIH Early Independence Award Q&A Webinar at 12pm on June 29. Pre-registration required.

Overview:

VUMC may submit two applications to the NIH Director’s Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) for SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 research. The award, part of the NIH High-Risk High-Reward Research program, supports exceptional junior investigators who wish to pursue independent research soon after completion of their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training, thereby forgoing the traditional post-doctoral training period and accelerating their entry into an independent research career. For the program to support the best possible researchers and research, applications are sought which reflect the full diversity of the research workforce.

This FOA solicits applications responsive only to the COVID-19 public health emergency through support of the CARES Act. All other Early Independence Award applications must be submitted in response to the competition titled “NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)”

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, funds provided by the CARES Act will support a total of 5-10 Early Independence Awards or Transformative Research Awards (separate RFA) that bring new, innovative perspectives and approaches to the prevention of, preparation for, or response to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, domestically or internationally. Any relevant area of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 research is welcome, including behavioral/social science research, research on health disparities, novel therapeutics, and other related topics. As with all High-Risk, High-Reward Research program applications, innovation may be technological or conceptual.

Though most newly graduated doctoral-level researchers would benefit from post-doctoral training, a small number of outstanding junior investigators are capable of launching directly into an independent research career. For those select junior investigators who already have established a record of scientific innovation and research productivity and who have demonstrated unusual scientific vision and maturity, typical post-doctoral training would unnecessarily delay their entry into independent research. The NIH Director’s Early Independence Award also provides an opportunity for institutions to invigorate their research programs by bringing in fresh scientific perspectives of the awardees they host.

By the end of the award period, the Early Independence Award investigator is expected to be competitive for continued funding of his/her research program through other NIH funding activities and for a permanent research-oriented position.

Budget Info: Awards will be for up to $250,000 direct costs per year for 5 years.

Eligibility:

• Research must be relevant to SARS-CoV-2/ COVID-19. Any relevant area of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 research is welcome, including behavioral/social science research, research on health disparities, novel therapeutics, and other related topics.
• Time window for eligibility: The receipt date of the terminal doctoral degree or end of post-graduate clinical training of the PD/PI must be between June 1, 2019 and September 30, 2021. The degree receipt date is that which appears on the official transcript for the degree. The end of post-graduate clinical training includes residency and fellowship periods.
• At the time of application, the PD/PI must not have served as a post-doctoral fellow following a previous (not the most recent) doctoral degree for more than twelve months. To be consistent with the updated NIH definition of Early Stage Investigators, eligible clinical training includes clinical residency and clinical fellowship.
• Research independence at time of application: Individuals are eligible only if they, at the time of application submission, do not have research independence. Eligible individuals must have all the following characteristics: The PD/PI's current research agenda is set through concurrence with mentors; the PD/PI's research is funded primarily through support to other investigators (mentored fellowships such as NIH F31 or F32 Fellowships or NSF Graduate Research Fellowships do not preclude eligibility); the PD/PI does not have any space assigned directly by the institution for the conduct of his/her research; the PD/PI, according to institutional policy, cannot apply for an NIH R01 grant without special waiver or exemption from the institution.
• There is no U.S. citizenship requirement for PDs/PIs.

Level of effort: Individuals must commit at least 9.6 person-months each year (i.e., 80% effort of a 12-month appointment) to the Early Independence Award project in years 1-2 of the project period. In years 3-5, awardees may reduce effort towards the Early Independence Award project but must commit at least 9.6 person-months each year (i.e., 80% effort of a 12-month appointment) to independent research in general.

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 10: 

1. Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget
2. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
3. NIH Biosketch

Submissions should reference “Director’s Award (COVID-19)” in the subject line of the email. Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

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2021 Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award

Applications due July 23

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.

Vanderbilt (VU and VUMC collaboratively) anticipates the opportunity to nominate one candidate for the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award Program. The foundation supports early-career biomedical scholars doing pioneering research. This award typically provides $550,000 over five years for young investigators involved in research in the cure and treatment of diseases in the fields of cancer, immunology, and neuroscience.

The foundation seeks candidates that show persuasive evidence of distinguished achievement or extraordinary promise in research in one of the relevant fields. The program embraces innovative research with above-average risk and groundbreaking possibilities. Rita Allen Foundation Scholars are distinguished by their bold approaches to basic scientific questions that address problems of global concern, as well as their potential for learning, leadership and collaboration.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates should be independent investigators in the early stages (preferably in the first 3 years) of a tenure track faculty appointment.
• Candidates must have received committed startup funds and lab space from their respective institutions.
• Scholars may not accept an award from the Beckman Young Investigator Program, Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, Searle Scholars Program or Vallee Scholars Program that would take effect beginning in year one of the RAF award.
• The Foundation encourages a diverse pool of applicants that includes candidates from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the biomedical research field
• The Foundation discourages repeat nominations of candidates not chosen in previous years.
• U.S. citizenship is not a requirement

Visit the foundation’s website for full eligibility and application guidelines.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s nominee must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on July 23. Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email.

1. Brief research plan including summary budget; 2 pages max, references may be included on a separate page
   1. Budget guidelines: Up to 50% may be used for Scholar compensation. No indirect costs are allowed.
2. Statement 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.”
3. NIH Biosketch or Brief CV (5 page max)

Once received, all proposals will be forwarded to an internal review committee that will choose the final nominee. The chosen nominee will submit a letter of inquiry to the Foundation by the September 9, 2020 deadline, and a full application is due on October 21, 2020.

**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.

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

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Active Calls for NON-Limited External Opportunities 

Internal review process NOT required- Submit directly to Sponsor​

The VUMC Corporate & Foundation Relations team provides hands-on proposal development assistance for non-federal awards. Contact cfr@vumc.org for more information.