URL: https://thehartwellfoundation.com/Individual_Biomedical_Research_Awards.shtml
Objectives
The Hartwell Foundation Individual Biomedical Research Awards (IBRA) support innovative, early-stage biomedical research that has not qualified for funding from traditional sources and has the potential to benefit children in the US. However, proposed projects do not have to be of value to the health of US children exclusively.
The Foundation funds two kinds of research:
- Translational research: research that targets an unmet medical need in areas such as diagnosis, intervention, or prevention, and has the potential to directly impact healthcare outcomes.
- Strategic research: research that has the potential to resolve a complex technical problem and accelerate clinical discovery and translational research.
Preliminary data is not required, and proposals should involve significant risk. The Foundation will not fund basic research, research intended to advance a commercial venture, or research that has already received or will receive significant extramural funding.
If you are interested in learning more about research the Hartwell Foundation has previously funded, you can review past awards on their website.
Funding Information
$100,000 per year for 3 years ($300,000 total). No indirect costs allowed.
Eligibility
This career development award is intended to have a positive effect on the career of the nominee. Mid- and late-career nominees will not be competitive. Possession of an MD is recommended but not required. If the nominee does not hold an MD, then he/she must have a collaborator who is a practicing physician, preferably in pediatric medicine.
All nominees must:
- Hold U.S. citizenship
- Maintain a full-time appointment
- Have adequate committed laboratory and office space to conduct the proposed research
- Agree to the Foundation’s terms and conditions
Internal Selection Process
As an institution, BU may forward up to 2 nominees.
The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU or Boston Medical Center (BMC). Use the steps below to determine this information:
- Step 1: Open the BUMC Home Institution Finder
- Step 2: Log in to search the database – search using your last name
- Step 3: Follow one process:
- If you see BU or BU-CAMED, follow BU Process below
- If you see BMC, follow the BMC Process below
BU Process
Interested applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by: 6/11/2026
- 2-page Research Proposal describing the problem and research aims, identifying what constitutes the unmet need and potential benefits it would bring to children, how the work is translational or strategic, and what makes it innovative or cutting-edge. References may be included on 1-2 additional pages.
- List of any collaborators
- If the applicant holds a PhD, at least one collaborator must be a practicing physician
- Up-to-date CV
As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s). Foundation Relations will work with the selected nominee(s) to submit their materials by 9/15/2026.
BMC Process
If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (carolina.giudice@bmc.org) by Wednesday, May 20 to express interest in this opportunity.
Deadlines
BMC Expression of Interest Due: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
BU Internal Materials Due: Thursday, June 11, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET
Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
External Materials Due: Tuesday, September 15, 2026