Research Insights

• Sponsor: Kinship Foundation
• Internal Deadline: June 30, 2020
• Sponsor Deadline: September 30, 2020
• Link: https://www.searlescholars.net/

Summary

The Searle Scholars Program makes grants to selected universities and research centers to support the independent research of exceptional young faculty in the biomedical sciences and chemistry.

The Searle Scholars Program is a limited submission award program which makes grants to selected academic and research institutions to support the independent research of outstanding early-career scientists who have recently been appointed as assistant professors on a tenure-track appointment. Grants are $300,000 for a three-year term with $100,000 payable each year of the grant, subject to the receipt of acceptable progress reports. Generally, the program makes 15 new grants annually.

The Program selection committee is primarily interested in the potential of applicants to make innovative and high-impact contributions to research over an extended period of time. Applicants for awards will be 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. 

Please read the full program announcement linked above before preparing your internal application.

Award Amount

Grants are set at $300,000 for a three-year period with $100,000 payable in the first year and equal sums payable in the second and third years and are subject to the receipt of acceptable progress reports. Generally, fifteen new awards are granted annually and are activated on July 1 of the year of the competition. 

Searle Scholars are expected to attend the Annual Searle Scholars Meeting, normally held in Chicago in April. Scientific reports, which consist of an abstract and headshot, will be requested prior to the annual meeting.  
The awarded institution shall submit an annual fiscal report each year of the award. These reports are requested in July and due in August. Final scientific and fiscal reports will be due within 60 days of termination of the award.

Eligibility

• The Searle Scholars Program Scientific Advisory Board is primarily interested in the potential of applicants to make innovative and high-impact contributions to research over an extended period of time. 
• Applicants for the 2021 competition (awards which will be activated on July 1, 2021 ) 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 (or its nearest equivalent) at an invited institution. 
• The Searle Scholars Program does not ordinarily support purely clinical research but has supported research programs that include both clinical and basic components. Potential applicants who are unsure if their research is appropriate for our Program are encouraged to examine the research interests of present and former Searle Scholars on this website. 
• 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. Institutions should consult with the Scientific Director of the Program regarding renomination of such individuals. 

Limitation Details

An Institution may submit one nomination. 

If you are interested in submitting for this program, you must first submit an internal application to limsub@uga.eduaccording to the required instructions below.

Internal Applications must include the following:

• A cover page listing
  • The name of this funding opportunity and title of your proposal
  • Your name, UGA position, home department, email, and UGA contact information
  • Collaborator names, positions, and institutions (if any)
  • Date of applicant’s appointment as Assistant Professor (must be on or after July 1, 2019)
• A (maximum two-page) proposal summary that describes the research project’s purpose, methodology, and overall goal (novelty and risk-taking are greatly encouraged)
• The names and email addresses of four letter-writers who would compose the final applicant’s Letters of Support. These individuals must consist of the applicant’s doctoral and post-doctoral mentors, a person of the applicant’s choosing, and the fourth individual must be the applicant(s) department chair(s)
• A (maximum one page) statement describing why you should be UGA’s submission (i.e., why you would be the most competitive for this program). Include a summary of early-career achievements and/or awards.
• Curriculum vitae

Internal Selection

Limited Submission announcements often generate multiple competing proposals.  UGA reviewers judge proposals as they would in any peer review process, so PIs are urged to put their best foot forward.  Along with typical criteria, reviewers will evaluate internal proposals based on their fit with the sponsor’s articulated goals and criteria. 

Internal Submission Instructions

The above internal application materials should be submitted via email as a single .PDF file to limsub@uga.edu by 11:59pm on the internal deadline listed above. 

Questions?

Please submit questions regarding the internal competition to limsub@uga.edu.

For questions directly related to this program, please view the Program FAQ or contact Jennifer Stadler at jennifer.stadler@kinshipfoundation.org and 312-803-6200.

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View our calendar for all Current and Closed Limited Submissions.
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What is a Limited Submission?