URL: https://www.pew.org/en/projects/pew-biomedical-scholars/program-details

NOTE: This announcement has been updated to reflect the foundation’s 2027 call for proposals.

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 $300,000 ($75,000 per year) for a 4-year period. The PIs salary is limited to $12,500 per year including benefits.

No more than 8% ($24,000) of the total award may be allocated for facilities and administration charges or indirect costs.

Eligibility

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, 2026, 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 10, 2023, 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 three-year limit. Candidates who need an exception on the three-year limit should contact Pew’s program office to ensure that application reviewers are aware an exception has been given.
  • 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 Process

The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU (CRC and BUMC) or Boston Medical Center. If you are unsure whether your grants are managed by BU or BMC, please consult the BUMC Home Institution Finder. Use that information to guide which process you follow below.

BU Process

BU may forward one candidate.

Interested applicants who submit grants through BU should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by: 3/10/2026

  • 2-page Project Proposal describing the proposed project and providing evidence of your success as an independent investigator. References may be included on one additional page.
    • Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research
  • 1-paragraph Self-Assessment Statement describing your most significant research contribution to date and highlighting the most innovative and novel aspect of your proposed research, including any risky or creative approaches you might use in pursuit of your goals
  • Up-to-date CV (please provide a CV and not a Biosketch)

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and recommend the institutional nominee by 5/13/2026.

BMC Process

If you are a faculty member who works in a BMC space, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (Carolina.Giudice@bmc.org) by Monday, February 2, 2026 for instructions on next steps.

Deadlines

BMC Expression of Interest Due: Monday, February 2, 2026

Internal Materials Due: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET

Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, April 3, 2026

Institutional Nomination Due: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Pew Full Proposals Due: Thursday, September 3, 2026

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