Vanderbilt-wide Limited Submission Opportunity: 2021 Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award; due July 23

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 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

a. 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;

a. 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.