Early Investigator Opportunities
ARL Young Investigator Program (YIP), Army Research Lab
The YIP is included as part of the ARL Core Broad Agency Announcement for Basic and Applied Scientific Research. The objective of the YIP is to attract to Army research outstanding young university faculty members, to support their research, and to encourage their teaching and research careers. The program is open to U.S. citizens, Nationals, and resident aliens holding tenure-track positions at U.S. universities and colleges, who have held their graduate degrees (Ph.D. or equivalent) for fewer than five years at the time of application. YIP awards are generally for $50,000 per year for 3 years.
NSA Mathematical Sciences Program Young Investigator Grant, National Security Agency (NSA)
For 2015 applications proposals are accepted for conferences, research experiences for undergraduates, and special situations only. Applications for the Standard Grant are expected to resume in 2016. For NSA, young investigators are investigators within ten years of receiving their Ph.D and do not have any other federal funding. $20,000 is available per year for two years. Sponsored Program Office approval is required for submission.
Early Career Research Program – DOE
DOE Office of Science Early Career Research Program, supports the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers and stimulates research careers in the disciplines supported by DOE OS. DOE OS defines “early career” as those within 10 years of having received their Ph.D. and are untenured on a tenure track. Funding is available at a minimum of $150,000 per year for five years.
USDA Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) – USDA
Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) grants are designed to help institutions develop competitive projects, and to attract new scientists and educators into careers in high-priority areas of national need in agriculture, food, and environmental sciences. FASE Grants consist of New Investigator Grants, Pre- and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants, and Strengthening Grants. Each applicable USDA NIFA Request for Application will include FASE eligibility, see the specific USDA NIFA calls for additional information.
ONR Young Investigator Program (YIP) – Office of Navel Research DOD
YIP seeks to identify and support academic scientists and engineers who are in their first or second full-time, tenure-track, or tenure-track-equivalent academic appointment and who show exceptional promise for doing creative research. Proposals may request up to $170,000 per year for 3 years. Additional funds for capital equipment which enhances the Young Investigator’s proposed research may be requested for the first budget period based on the needs of the research.
Fellowships for Early Career Researchers (ECF), NASA
Intended to support outstanding faculty researchers early in their careers as they conduct space technology research of high priority to NASA’s MIssion Directorates. Awards are available for a maximum of three years and up to $200K/year. To access the solicitation, click on the URL provided, then select solicitations, and then select the Early Career Faculty (ECF) title.
DARPA Young Faculty Award, DARPA
The YFA announcement solicits ground-breaking single-investigator proposals from junior faculty for research and development in the areas of Physical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine, Biology, Information and Social Sciences of interest to DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office (DSO), Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), and Biological Technology Office (BTO). Awards encompass funding for a 24-month base period consisting of two 12-month phases (a maximum of $250,000 per 12-month phase) and a 12-month option period (a maximum of $500,000.)
AFOSR Young Investigator Program (YIP), Air Force Office of Scientific Research
The Air Force YIP supports scientists and engineers who have received Ph.D. or equivalent degrees in the last five years and show exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. The objective of this program is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering; enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators; and increase opportunities for the young investigator to recognize the Air Force mission and related challenges in science and engineering. Each award will be funded at $120,000 per year for 3 years. Exceptional proposals will be considered individually for higher funding levels and longer duration. The funding opportunity will be posted as a BAA.
Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER), National Science Foundation (NSF)
CAREER: The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’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. Early career is defined as tenure-track (or equivalent) Assistant Professor (or equivalent) with funding available for five years at a minimum of $400,000 to $500,000 depending on Directorate. See the UA’s CAREER Preparation Program for additional information on developing your CAREER proposal.
Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Research Initiation Initiative (CRII), National Science Foundation (NSF)
With the goal of encouraging research independence immediately upon obtaining one’s first academic position after receipt of the PhD, the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) will award grants to initiate the course of one’s independent research. Understanding the critical role of establishing that independence early in one’s career, it is expected that funds will be used to support untenured faculty or research scientists (or equivalent) in their first three years in a primary academic position after the PhD, but not more than a total of five years after completion of their PhD.
New (Early Career) Investigator Program in Earth Science, NASA
Visit the link and search for “New (Early Career) Investigator Program in Earth Science”. Proposals to the New Investigator Program (NIP) are solicited every two years with an anticipated average award of $80,000 to $90,000 per year for a period of up to three years. Ph.D. within five (5) years prior to the issuance of the ROSES NRA.
New and Early Stage Investigator Policies, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
In 2009, NIH instituted a new adjunct to the New Investigator policies involving the identification of Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) (see the Section on Early Stage Investigators, below). ESIs are New Investigators who are within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or within 10 years of completing their medical residency at the time they apply for R01 grants.
In general, a Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is considered a New Investigator if he/she has not previously competed successfully as PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award.
Hope for Vision, New Investigator Grants, Hope for Vision
Hope for Vision supports research aimed at developing treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases. Grants are awarded annually, generally for a period of one-year. Awards range from $25,000 to $50,000, and the grant amount is based on the current or potential value of the research to the field of retinal degeneration. Please email a one page or less summary statement that expresses the goals and objectives of your proposal.
Russell Sage Behavioral Economics Small Grants, The Russell Sage Foundation
Representative categories of expenditure include acquisition of data, the purchase of data sets, research assistance (but not including payment to any researchers who will be co-authors on the project), payment to subjects in experiments, miscellaneous expenses (such as xeroxing, telephone, postage). There is a lifetime limit of $7,500. No funds provided for researchers’ time, computer hardware or software, overhead or indirect costs.
Beckman Young Investigator Program, Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Open to those within the first three years of a tenure-track position, or an equivalent independent research appointment, in an academic or non-profit institution that conducts research in the chemical and life sciences. No individual may apply for an award more than two times.
Research Starter Grants – Pharmacology/Toxicology, Pharmaceutics, Adherence Improvement, or Informatics, PhRMA Foundation
Research Starter Grants offer financial support to individuals beginning independent research careers at the faculty level. This program provides a research grant of $100,000 for one year. Research Starter Grants support individuals in academia who do not have other substantial sources of research funding. Applicants will be judged on the scientific merit of the proposed research, and on the degree of financial need. The “starter” aspect of the program strives to assist individuals who are establishing careers as independent investigators. The program is not offered as a means to augment an ongoing research effort.
Early Career Awards – Thrasher Research Fund
The purpose of this program is to encourage the development of medical research in child health by awarding small grants to new researchers, helping them gain a foothold in this important area. Awards are $25,000 in direct costs for two years.
Searle Scholars Program – The Kinship Foundation
The Searle Scholars Program makes grants to selected academic 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. This is a Limited Solicitation. Please see theRDS Limited Solicitations Calendar for details.
MAPfund – Doris Duke Charitable Foundation & The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The MAP Fund is founded on the principle that experimentation drives human progress, no less in art than in science or medicine. MAP supports artists, ensembles, producers and presenters whose work in the disciplines of contemporary performance embodies this spirit of exploration and deep inquiry. MAP is particularly interested in supporting work that examines notions of cultural difference or “the other,” be that in class, gender, generation, race, religion, sexual orientation or other aspects of diversity. $1 million, for up to 40 projects, is awarded annually.
Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists – Blavatnik Family Foundation
Provides $250,000 in unrestricted funds to one Laureate in each disciplinary category (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Chemistry). Interested participants must hold a doctorate degree and a faculty position at an invited institution (other conditions apply, see the Eligibility category). This is a limited solicitation, view the RDS Limited Solicitation Calendar for additional information on how to apply.
The Nancy Weiss Malkiel Junior Faculty Fellowship, The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
Eligible applicants are assistant professors in a tenure-track assignment having successfully passed the standard third-year review by January of the year following application to the program. $10,000 for 12-month awards. Preference is given to those addressing topics related to 20th and 21st century American history, politics, culture, and society, with emphasis including but not limited to African American issues, women’s issues, and/or higher education.
Young Investigator Grants, Foundation for Childhood Cancer
These grants are designed to fill the critical need for startup funds for less experienced researchers to pursue promising research ideas. These grants encourage and cultivate the best and brightest researchers of the future and lead to long term commitments to research projects.
The Young Investigator Grants are designed to support scientists during their fellowship training or early in their research careers. Demonstration of outstanding mentorship and demonstration of a career plan that shows commitment to pediatric cancer investigation are critical components of a successful application.
Young Investigator Grants are now 3 year grants! The award amount is $150,000. (A maximum of $50,000 per year for three years may be requested).
Cottrell Scholars, Research Corporation for Science Advancement
Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty members whose primary appointment is in a department of astronomy, chemistry or physics that offers, the minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Cottrell Scholar Award proposals contain a research plan, an educational plan, and a clear statement on how the CSA will help applicants become truly outstanding teacher-scholars and future academic leaders. Funding is available for $100,000 over 3 years.
New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award, Foundation for Food and Agriculture (FFAR)
With the New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award, FFAR will support up to 10 early-career scientists with up to $200,000 per year. The award is designed to give recipients three years of financial support to pursue highly innovative research in one or more of FFAR’s seven focus areas and to act as mentors to the next generation of standout scientists in food and agriculture.
Research Starter Grants – Health Outcomes or Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, PhRMA Foundation
Research Starter Grants offer financial support to individuals beginning independent research careers at the faculty level. This program provides a research grant of $100,000 for one year. Research Starter Grants support individuals in academia who do not have other substantial sources of research funding. Applicants will be judged on the scientific merit of the proposed research, and on the degree of financial need. The “starter” aspect of the program strives to assist individuals who are establishing careers as independent investigators. The program is not offered as a means to augment an ongoing research effort.
Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in the Neurosciences, Ester A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund and the Simons Foundation
Anticipated 2016 deadline. The Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in the Neurosciences supports, in the early stages of their careers, young investigators engaged in basic or clinical research that may lead to a better understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Awards are for $225,000 for three years.
Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award, March of Dimes
Anticipated 2017 solicitation. This award is intended to be an initial independent grant to young investigators. The applicants’ research interests should address the health of babies through prevention of infant mortality, premature birth, or birth defects. The award is $150,000 for two years, including 10 percent indirect costs to sponsoring institutions.
Scholar Award in Studying Complex Systems (Scholar-CS), James S. McDonnell Foundation
Anticipated 2016 solicitation. For Scholar Awards the program’s emphasis is furthering the science of complex systems via the continued development of the theory and tools used in the study of complex research questions and not on particular fields of research per se. The award provide largely unrestricted funding over a sufficient time period ($450,000 paid in three (3) $150,000 payments; funds expendable in no less than 3 and no more than 6 years) to allow investigators to pursue and develop new directions to their research programs.
Princess Grace Awards, Princess Grace Foundation
The Princess Grace Foundation provides support to emerging theater, dance, and film artists in the early stage of their careers. All nominees must be nominated. Grant amounts vary widely, falling between $7,500 and $30,000. Grants are given to nominating organization and money may not be used for administrative fees.
Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology, Eppindorf
The international Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology is awarded annually to one young scientist for the most outstanding neurobiological research based on methods of molecular and cell biology conducted by him/her during the past three years. The award is worth $25,000.
Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
The initial award will be for two years, $150,000 per year ($300,000 total) with the opportunity for up to two additional years of funding (up to four years total for $600,000). Continued support for years three and four will be granted to those awardees who demonstrate significant progress on their proposed research during years one and two of the award.
Career Catalyst Research Grants (CCR), Susan G. Komen Foundation
These three Komen Training and Career Development awards seek to bridge the funding gap faced by recently graduated PhDs and early faculty as they start their careers in breast cancer research. $450,000 combined direct and indirect costs; ($150,000 per year for up to 3 years).
Gilead Sciences Research Scholars Program in Cystic Fibrosis (the “Program”), Gilead
The Program provides financial support to 3 junior faculty researchers for a 2-year period. Each award is funded up to $130,000, to be paid in annual installments of up to $65,000 per year for 2 years. Funding for the second year is contingent upon submission of a progress report and approval by the Scientific Review Committee Chair.
Faculty Scholars Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
A joint opportunity from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Simons Foundation, this award is for tenured or tenure-track eligible PhD and/or MD in a faculty position. Funding is available to conduct research at the interface of biological and physical sciences and those studying biological questions emerging from applicable global human health problems. Awardees receive a five-year, non-renewable grant between $100k and $400k per year, at least 50% of the total effort must be directly related to the conduct of research.
Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholars Award, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
A limited number of awards will be offered to highly qualified candidates who have concluded their research training and begun academic careers as independent investigators in an area related to multiple sclerosis. 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. Application must be made jointly by a candidate and the institution in which an appointment is held. Individuals who have already conducted independent research for more than five years after postdoctoral training are ineligible.
Mentored Research Scholar Grant – American Cancer Society
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 these beginning investigators to become independent researchers as either clinician scientists or cancer control and prevention researchers. 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.
Research Scholar Grants – American Cancer Society
Research Scholar Grants support investigator-initiated projects across the cancer research continuum. Awards are for up to four years and for up to $165,000 per year (direct costs), plus 20% allowable indirect costs. Independent investigators in the first six years of an independent research career or faculty appointment are eligible to apply.
Doctoral New Investigator (DNI) Grants – American Chemical Society
Doctoral New Investigator (DNI) grants provide start-up funding ($110,000 over two years) for scientists and engineers in the United States who are within the first three years of their first academic appointment at the level of Assistant Professor or the equivalent.
AFAR Research Grants for Junior Faculty, American Federation for Aging Research
AFAR provides 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.
Young Investigator Award, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
These grants fund researchers who work in basic, translational, clinical, epidemiologic, bioengineering or any other scientific or research field, but are also working in a research environment capable of supporting transformational bladder cancer research. Awards are $100,000 for two years.
John and Polly Sparks Early Career Grant for Psychologists Investigating Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), American Psychological Foundation
The John and Polly Sparks Early Career Grant supports early career psychologists conducting research in the area of early intervention and treatment for serious emotional disturbance in children.
The John and Polly Sparks Foundation partnered with APF to empower early career psychologists to produce scientifically-based research and programs that could provide models for broad-based applications across the country.
APF will be awarding one $17,000 Sparks Grant in 2016.
AFAR Research Grants for Junior Faculty, American Federation for Aging Research
AFAR provides 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.
Cottrell Scholars, Research Corporation for Science Advancement
Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty members whose primary appointment is in a department of astronomy, chemistry or physics that offers, the minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Cottrell Scholar Award proposals contain a research plan, an educational plan, and a clear statement on how the CSA will help applicants become truly outstanding teacher-scholars and future academic leaders. Funding is available for $100,000 over 3 years.
HFSP Young Investigators’ Grants, Human Frontier Science Program
Research grants are provided for teams of scientists from different countries who wish to combine their expertise in innovative approaches to questions that could not be answered by individual laboratories. Emphasis is placed on novel collaborations that bring together early career scientists (within 5 years after obtaining independent laboratory) preferably from different disciplines (e.g. from chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering) to focus on problems in the life sciences. Awards are for up to $450,00 per year for 3 years and support 2-4 team members.
Institutional Research Grants, American Cancer Society
Institutional Research Grants are block grants averaging $90,000 per year for three years given to institutions as “seed money” for the initiation of projects by promising junior investigators.
Future Leader Awards, International Life Sciences Institute
Given to promising nutrition and food scientists, allows new investigators the opportunity to add to an existing project or to conduct exploratory research that might not receive funding from other sources or add to an existing project. Consideration will be given to individuals proposing research in the areas of experimental nutrition, nutrition and toxicology, and nutrition and food science. Grants extend for a period of 2 years at a funding level of $15,000 USD per year.
Scientist Development Grant, American Heart Association
To 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. Total award amount up to $308,000 for four years.