The mission of the Foundation is to support early stage investigators engaged in basic biomedical research that has the potential to significantly advance the understanding, diagnosis or treatment of disease. The grants program provides $180,000 ($60,000 per year) over a period of up to three years and are not renewable.
Funds are directed to faculty members who hold M.D. and/or Ph.D. degrees and who are in the first to fourth year of a tenure-track position. Funding supports the advancement of research projects to the point where R01 or other independent funding can be obtained. Applicants with current R01 funding should not apply.
From six to eight awardees are chosen each cycle. Funding commences on October 1. No indirect costs are allowed, but salary is acceptable.
Investigators should bear in mind that the selection process is shepherded by Trustees with a medical/scientific background, but a lay summary is critical to connecting to the other members of the Board who ultimately have an important role in the final selection of award recipients.
For complete program guidelines, instructions, and information about past grantees, see the Foundation website (link above).
The Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations is available to consult on proposal narrative elements and answer other foundation-related questions. If applying at University Park please contact Associate Director of Foundation Relations, Heather Winfield, (hbw11@psu.edu or 814-867-0551), Hershey applicants please contact Jess Kiely (jik12@psu.edu or 717-531-8497) for additional support.