March 30, 2021

VUMC Limited Submission Opportunity: 2022 Takeda Innovators in Science Award-Gastroenterology; applications due April 1

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

VUMC may nominate 1 Early Career Scientist and 1 Senior Scientist in a field of Gastroenterology for the 2022 Innovators in Science Award, sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and administered by the New York Academy of Sciences.  Awardees will receive $200,000. 

Takeda Pharmaceuticals and the New York Academy of Sciences would like to draw attention to the urgent needs of patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Each applicant’s research must advance one of the gastroenterology sub-disciplines (see Eligibility below).

Each nominee will be evaluated based on the quality of their research, the impact of their research on human health, the novelty of their ideas and methods, and the promise they show for future contributions to their field.  Full guidelines and review criteria are found on the program website. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

Note: Individuals in receipt of current or prior research support from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, or its affiliates, are not eligible for nomination. 

Early Career Scientist nominees must… 

  • Currently hold a junior level Post-doctoral or Faculty position. 

  • Have been engaged in active research for 10 years or less since gaining their doctorate degree 

  • Hold a doctorate degree (PhD, DPhil, MD, DDS, DVM, etc.). 

  • Have made impactful research contributions and show exceptional promise for significant future achievement in one of the sub-disciplines (below). 

  • In the event that an Early-Career Scientist nominee has taken a maternity, paternity, adoptive, family care, military, or extended sick leave (in line with their current institution’s policies) during the 10 years since gaining their doctoral degree or equivalent, they may qualify for an extension of the eligibility timeframe. Please clearly note in your internal application if you qualify for an eligibility exception.  

Senior Scientist nominees must… 

  • Currently hold a senior level Faculty position. 

  • Have been engaged in active research for more than 10 years since gaining their doctorate degree 

  • Hold a doctorate degree (PhD, DPhil, MD, DDS, DVM, etc.). 

  • Have made multiple, extensive, and impactful research contributions to advance the Award field; see sub-disciplines (below). 

Gastroenterology Sub-Disciplines: 

  • Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) 

  • Acute Liver Disease 

  • Autoinflammatory Liver Diseases 

  • Barrett's Esophagus 

  • Celiac Disease 

  • Chronic Liver Disease 

  • Colon Polyps 

  • Constipation 

  • Crohn's Disease 

  • Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome 

  • Diarrhea 

  • Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis 

  • End-Stage Liver Disease and Complications 

  • Esophageal Disorders 

  • Gallbladder Disorders 

  • Gastritis & Gastropathy 

  • Gastrointestinal Cancers 

  • Gastrointestinal Pain 

  • Gastroparesis 

  • Genetic GI Disorders 

  • Genetic Diseases of the Liver 

  • Gut Microbiome 

  • Hemorrhoids & Anal Disorders 

  • Indigestion (Dyspepsia) 

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease 

  • Intestinal Failure 

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 

  • Lactose Intolerance 

  • Nausea & Vomiting 

  • Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) 

  • Rare Enteric Neuropathies 

  • Rare GI Diseases 

  • Short Bowel Syndrome 

  • Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis 

  • Ulcerative Colitis 

  • Other 

Internal Application Instructions 

Submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on April 1. Please note whether you are applying for the Senior Scientist or Early Career award. Contact LSO@vanderbilt.edu with any questions. 

  1. Research Summary (1,000 word max)- must indicate gastroenterology sub-discipline (see list above.) 

  1. Future Research Plan (500 word max) *required for Early Career Scientist nominees only 

  1. Biosketch or CV (4 page max) 

  1. Letter of support from Department Chair/ Center Director.