The 2018 Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards call for applications is closed. The previous call is below for your reference only.  This call for applications is scheduled to be updated in the Spring of 2019 and the deadline will be later in the Spring of 2019. Please check the ECOR website and your emails from MGH Research News for updates. Click here to sign up to receive MGH Research News.

2019 Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards

 

MGH Internal Call for Pre-Proposals

Internal Deadline: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 – 5:00 PM

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE AWARD

The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the assistant professor level.

MGH is eligible to nominate one candidate. Pre-proposals will be reviewed and assessed by the ECOR Subcommittee on Review of Research Proposals (SRRP). ECOR must forward the name of the MGH nominee to the Pew Charitable Trusts by June 29, 2018.  The MGH nominee will then be sent information directly from the Pew Scholars Program and must complete the sponsor online application by October 15, 2018. 


DEADLINES

MGH Internal Pre-Proposal: Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Notification to MGH Candidate: End of June 2018

Foundation Deadline: Monday, October 15, 2018


AWARD AMOUNT

The current grant level is $300,000 (including 8% indirect costs); $75,000 per year for a four-year period.

This funding opportunity is not exempt from the 15% indirect cost (IDC) floor minimum.  However, for MGH investigators selected through a competitive process as the institutional nominee for any limited submission funding opportunities, in situations in which the grant will bring in less than 15% indirect cost (IDC), ECOR will cover the IDC gap up to a maximum of $50,000 per year. In order to optimize the distribution of limited ECOR funds across the MGH research community,  it is expected that PIs and departments will work together to cover the remaining IDC shortfall.  In this situation the  IDC shortfall is less than $50,000, therefore ECOR will cover the deficit should the MGH nominee be selected for a Pew Scholar award

ELIGIBILITY

  • Applicants must have been awarded a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine or a related field.
  • Applicants must hold full-time appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor at the time of application, May 29, 2018.  We recognize that Pew guidelines require applicants to hold a full-time appointment of Assistant Professor by October 15, 2018. However, we have chosen the earlier deadline to avoid the possibility of nominating a candidate whose Assistant Professor appointment is not approved by October 15, 2018. Individuals whose careers are sufficiently advanced to warrant appointment at the associate level will not be considered eligible.
  • Applicants must have held their appointment as Assistant Professor for less than three years as of June 29, 2018  (not appointed before June 29, 2015), whether or not such an appointment was on a tenure track. Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, or in work toward board certification does not count as part of this three-year limit.
  • Candidates may be nominated by their institution two times in total.
  • Funding from the NIH, other government sources, and project grants from non-profit associations do not pose a conflict with the Pew Scholars Program.
     

TERMS OF AWARD

The awarded funds may be used at the discretion of the Pew scholar, for personnel, equipment, supplies, or travel directly related to the Scholar's research and as to best advance his or her research and career. Not more than $12,500 of the annual award may be used for the scholar's salary (including benefits).  It is expected that Pew Scholars will spend at least 80 percent of their time in work related to the accomplishment of their overall research goals. Annual progress reports are required, describing research accomplishments, project status, and future directions. Funding for the second, third and fourth years is contingent upon timely submission of acceptable financial and narrative progress reports and attendance at the annual meeting in March during the four-year term.

 

PRE-PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

The MGH pre-proposal must include the following 8 items (PDF documents only):

1. Project Title

2. Status of Previous Application(s). Indicate whether you have previously applied for this award. If yes, were you the selected nominee and when did you apply?

3. Statement of Independence (500 words) including:  

  • A description of the Institution’s level of commitment to the Applicant, including all department support, and the long-term plan that is in place for his/her independent, professional development. 
  • Number of applications received in response to the national search for this position.  For candidates promoted internally, please clarify why a national search was not conducted.
  • Date (month, day, year) of the first independent faculty appointment,
  • Size of the Applicant’s start-up package including any salary support.
  • Amount of lab space under the applicant’s control 

4. Research Proposal (A maximum of 3 pages is permitted, exclusive of references. PDF documents only) including:

  • Specific aims
  • Background and significance
  • Preliminary data (if available)
  • Research design and methods
  • Potential limitations

Please also include a paragraph on the future direction of your laboratory over the next five years, which is included in the 3 page limit.

5. List three significant publications and provide a brief description for each. (1 page limit) 

6. A Current Biosketch in the NIH Format. Please include the month and year of all faculty appointment(s) and completion of post doc training. Click here for the NIH format.

7. Funding Support including all current and pending support with dates and dollar amounts. The NIH formatted Other Support is required. Click here for the NIH Format.  

8. One Letter of Support from Unit, Service or Department Chief. This letter should include details regarding the department’s commitment to the applicant's independent research career.


HOW TO APPLY

ECOR accepts all applications online via the ECOR Online Grant Management Portal. This user-friendly system will allow MGH researchers to submit electronic applications to ECOR. The system has been designed to allow users to:

  • Create a personal profile, which will auto-populate your future ECOR applications
  • Assign a delegate to submit an application to ECOR on behalf of the applicant (optional)
  • View current calls and apply to open opportunities
  • Save and edit current applications in progress
  • Submit completed applications to ECOR
  • View all your ECOR applications that have been submitted via the online grants system

Instructions for Applying Online

1. Create your account: Login using your Partners credentials and fill out the profile information.

2. Complete the application: Once your profile is complete, you will automatically progress through the online application. If you cannot complete the application at one time, “save” the application and return to it at a later time to finish. Before submitting your application, you will have the ability to make changes to the application.

3. Submit your application: Once you have completed the application click on the “submit” button at the bottom of the page. Once you submit it, you will not be able to make further changes unless you send a request to ECOR (note that once the deadline passes, requests to make changes will not be accepted).

Useful tips:

  • To avoid losing your work, remember to save frequently
  • You can only upload PDF documents
  • If you previously created a profile, please ensure your information is current

Click 'Apply' below to begin the application.


QUESTIONS

  • For further information, please refer to the Pew website here.
  • Any questions regarding the internal submission and process please email ECOR.