Limited Submission Opportunity: The Pew Charitable Trusts Pew Biomedical Scholars 2026
URL: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/pew-biomedical-scholars/to-apply
OBJECTIVES
The program supports young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. This program does not fund clinical trials research. Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research. Candidates whose work is based on biomedical principles but who bring in concepts and theories from more diverse fields are encouraged to apply.
Ideas with the potential to produce an unusually high impact are encouraged. Selection of the successful candidates will be based on a detailed description of the work that the applicant proposes to undertake, evaluations of the candidate’s performance, and notable past accomplishments, including honors, awards, and publications. In evaluating the candidates, the National Advisory Committee gives considerable weight to evidence that the candidate is a successful independent investigator and has published significant work.
FUNDING INFORMATION
Up to $75,000 per year for 4 years ($300,000 total).
No more than 8% ($24,000) of the total award may be allocated for facilities and administration charges or indirect costs.
ELIGIBILITY
BU may nominate one candidate. Candidates must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Hold a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine, or a related field, including engineering or the physical sciences.
- As of September 3, 2025, run an independent lab and hold a full-time appointment at the rank of assistant professor.
- Appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible.
- May apply to the program a maximum of two times.
- If applicants have appointments at more than one eligible nominating institution or affiliate, they may not reapply in a subsequent year from a different nominating entity.
- Must not have been appointed as an assistant professor at any institution prior to June 11, 2021, whether or not such an appointment was on a tenure track.
- Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, in work toward board certification, or on parental leave does not count as part of this four-year limit. Candidates who need an exception on the four-year limit should contact Pew’s program office to ensure that application reviewers are aware an exception has been given.
- This part of the eligibility criteria has been temporarily expanded to account for COVID-related lab shutdowns. This extension will end after this upcoming application cycle. Beginning in the 2027 grant cycle, the eligibility window will revert to the 3-year period.
- May not be nominated for the Pew Biomedical Scholars Program and the Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research in the same year.
INTERNAL SELECTION
Interested investigators should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by: 4/1/2025
- Questions outlined in InfoReady Review application
- Project Proposal (max 2 pages) describing the proposed project and providing evidence of your success as an independent investigator
- Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research
- Up-to-date CV or biosketch
- Budget outline for the proposed project
A faculty committee drawn from both campuses will review internal proposals and select nominees. Foundation Relations will work with the nominees to develop and submit the institutional nomination application by 5/14/2025.
DEADLINES
Internal Materials Due: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 11:59 pm
External Nomination Due: Wednesday, May 14, 2025