Limited and External Funding 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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Have you been awarded a Limited Submission recognition?

Please let us know at LSO@vanderbilt.edu

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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
  • Click on "View Full Internal Call" at end of each LSO description to access PDF with internal submission instructions 

Contact vumcresearchenterprise@vumc.org or subscribe to the Office of Research Weekly Email Update for information on current funding opportunities.

2026 Brain Research Foundation - Seed Grant Program

Applications due Sept. 11, 2025

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

Overview

Vanderbilt (VU and VUMC, collaboratively) may nominate one candidate for the 2026 Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant Program. This award provides $100,000 (direct costs) over two years to support new research projects in the field of neuroscience that will likely lead to extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other outside funding sources. The objective of the BRF Seed Grant Program is to support new and innovative neuroscience projects, especially those of junior faculty, who are working in new research directions. BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants. Funds must be utilized within the grant period.

2026 St. Baldrick’s Foundation Grants

Applications due Sept. 23, 2025

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

Overview

Vanderbilt (VU & VUMC combined) may submit Scholar (Career Development) Award and Research Grant proposals for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation spring grant cycle. Vanderbilt is limited to one submission per award program with the potential for a limited submissions policy exception, noted below. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization raising funds for childhood cancer research. All projects must have direct applicability and relevance to pediatric cancer.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: 

  • Adolescents & young adults
  • Survivorship, outcomes, and quality of life
  • Supportive care
  • Epidemiology and pediatric cancer predispositions
  • Precision medicine
  • Alternative & complementary therapies

Active External Non-Limited Calls

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.

Contact vumcresearchenterprise@vumc.org or subscribe to the Office of Research Weekly Email Update here for information on current funding opportunities.

 

March of Dimes Discovery Grant

Applications due September 8

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Adele White, Senior Director of Foundation Relations (adele.white@vumc.org) before starting an application.

NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (DP1- Clinical Trial Optional)

Applications due September 9

American Brain Foundation 2026 Next Generation Research Grants

Applications due September 9

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sue Reeves, Executive Director of Foundation Relations (sue.reeves@vumc.org) before starting an application.

Nature Awards Global Grants for Gut Health

Applications due September 9

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sue Reeves, Executive Director of Foundation Relations (sue.reeves@vumc.org) before starting an application.

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowships

Applications due September 15

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Foundation Relations (foundationrelations@vumc.org) before starting an application

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation Therapeutics Grants

LOIs due September 15

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sue Reeves, Executive Director of Foundation Relations (sue.reeves@vumc.org) before starting an application

National Scleroderma Foundation New and Established Investigator Grants

Applications due September 15

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Foundation Relations (foundationrelations@vumc.org) before starting an application.

NIGMS National and Regional Resources (R24- Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Applications due September 25

Pershing Square Philanthropies Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery

LOIs due September 29

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sue Reeves, Executive Director of Foundation Relations (sue.reeves@vumc.org) before starting an application.

Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS)

Applications due October 7

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sue Reeves, Executive Director of Foundation Relations (sue.reeves@vumc.org) before starting an application.