Research Funding for New Biochemistry Faculty

External Funding

General Grants

Grants in Specific Research Areas (excluding cancer)

Cancer Grants

Internal Funding

See funding for all Biochemistry faculty here.

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External Funding – General Grants

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Banting Research Foundation Grants

for new investigators within first 3 years of first independent university/research institute appointment
applicants must be receiving less than $100,000 in total start-up funds
up to $20,000 for 1 year, not to exceed a ceiling for total support of $60,000/yr (includes this award plus any other operating grants received)
renewals possible
deadline: 15 March

Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award in Biological Sciences

supports research of new faculty members at Canadian universities
for applicants who have been faculty members for < 5 years
award: $25,000/yr for 3 years
deadline: Feb/Mar

Ministry of Research and Innovation - Early Researcher Award (ERA)

for promising, recently-appointed Ontario researchers to build their research teams of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants, and associates
for applicants who have been faculty members for < 5 years; 10 years from PhD or MD completion
maximum of $100,000 for 5 years; must be matched by an additional $50,000 from the researcher’s institution and/or private sector partner
deadline: Sept

CIHR - New Investigator Salary Award

applicant must hold full-time research appointment for 0 to 60 months as of the competition deadline
applicant must hold peer-reviewed operating funds as principal investigator as of the earliest possible start date for the New Investigator Award
salary of $60,000/yr for 5 years
non-renewable
deadline: Sept

Sloan Research Fellowships

applicant must hold a PhD (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, economics, neuroscience, or computational and evolutionary molecular biology, ocean sciences, or in a related interdisciplinary field
applicant must be member of the regular faculty (i.e., tenure track) of a college or university in US or Canada
applicant must be no more than 6 years from completion of the most recent PhD or equivalent, unless a faculty appointment has been held for < 2 years or unless one of the following special circumstances apply: military service, a change of field, or child rearing
award: $50,000 for 2 years
deadline: Sept

Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) – Young Investigator Grants

for teams of scientists who are all within 5 years of establishing an independent lab
for novel, innovative, and interdisciplinary basic research focused on the complex mechanisms of living organisms
for novel collaborations involving extensive synergies among teams of scientists working in different countries and disciplines
compulsory pre-registration via website: Mar
letter of intent: Mar or Apr
full proposal: by invitation only

External Funding – Grants in Specific Research Areas

(excluding cancer)

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SickKids Foundation/CIHR - New Investigator Research Grants

applicant must not have received an operating grant from any funder greater than $100,000
applicant must be within 5 years of having taken up first academic appointment or equivalent
without an academic appointment, the equivalent would be a clinician, health care worker, CAHC practitioner, or other community worker who does not have an academic appointment, but who has institutional support (through a registered charity) to do research as a principal investigator
up to 3 years of research support given
for specified priority areas of children's health
deadline: Nov

Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) - Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease

provides opportunities for Assistant Professors to study pathogenesis, with a focus on the intersection of human and microbial biology
provides support for US and Canadian Assistant Professor-level Scientists
amount: $500,000 over 5 years
deadline: Nov

March of Dimes (USA) - Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award

supports young scientists just embarking on their independent research careers (limited to those holding recent faculty appointments)
research area must be relevant to March of Dimes
amount: $75,000/yr for 2 years
nomination deadline: Mar
full application by invitation only

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada - New Investigator Award

provides salary support to individuals who have clearly demonstrated excellence during their doctoral and post-doctoral training in cardiovascular or cerebrovascular research
applicants may not be in receipt of another major personnel award (i.e., from another national funding agency)
applicants may accept supplemental funding (no greater than 50% of the value of the Heart and Stroke Foundation award), if it is from a local or provincial funding source
applicants must be within 5 years of the date of their first faculty appointment
applicants must have an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree
applicants must hold a Grant-in-Aid in support of the proposed research at the time of this award; such grant(s) may be from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and/or other granting agencies
amount: $60,000/yr for 5 years
deadline: Sept

ASPIRE Young Investigator Awards in Pulmonary Vascular Disease Research

for promising young investigators with an interest in advancing knowledge in defined disease areas, including pulmonary vascular research
for basic, translational, or clinical research in the area of pulmonary vascular disease in adults and children; topics:
- understanding disease mechanisms
- genetic factors involved in disease development
- factors affecting the response to therapeutic agents
- identification of novel biomarkers
- mechanisms leading to right ventricular dysfunction and right heart failure
- identification of novel therapeutic targets or therapeutic approaches
eligible applicants must have a professional degree (MD, PhD, PharmD or equivalent), reside in US or Canada, and be no more than 5 years post-terminal training
amount: $100,000 for one year
deadline: June

Parkinson Society Canada - New Investigator Award Grant

provides investigators with an early opportunity, upon completing research training, to develop and demonstrate the ability to initiate and conduct independent health research
for research in areas relevant to the cure, cause, prevention, improved treatment, or understanding of Parkinson's disease and its implications on society
amount: up to $45,000/yr for 2 years
deadline: Feb

Alzheimer Society of Canada – Young Investigator Grant

assists careers of outstanding young researchers who are entering their first phase of an academic appointment
for research in causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
applicants must be within 2 years of first university appointment at the application deadline date
applicants must not be already in receipt of research support from any funding agency outside of their university
amount: up to $60,000/yr for 3 years for applications in the quality of life stream; $75,000/yr for 3 years for applications in the biomedical stream
deadline: Nov

Alzheimer's Association International Research Grant Program - New Investigator Research Grant

provides new investigators with funding that will allow them to develop preliminary or pilot data, to test procedures, and to develop hypotheses
applicants must be no more than 10 years past their doctoral degree
research must target defined areas of focus
amount: $100,000 for up to 2 years
deadline: Jan (letter of intent); Feb (full application)

Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada – Research Grants

support biomedical research into intellectual impairment focused on:
- causes and eventual cure of intellectual impairment, such as Autism and Down Syndrome, especially as it affects children
- causes and eventual cure of Alzheimer's Disease
- research into other forms of intellectual impairment may be considered
focus of research should be on causes and cure of the disease, as opposed to the active treatment or palliative care
applicants must have no more than 5 years experience as an independent investigator
amount: $35,000/yr for 3 years
deadline: Apr

Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program - Early Career Investigator Award

for junior faculty members who wish to undertake mentored basic or clinical research projects in the bleeding disorders field
funds for salary support and research
applicant must hold an entry-level academic or clinical appointment
applicant must have a medical degree and/or PhD, earned within the previous 10 years
award: US $100,000/yr for 2 years
deadline: Nov

Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFOC) - KRESCENT New Investigator Awards

applicants must be within first 3 years of their first faculty appointment (Assistant Professor level or equivalent) at the time the award commences, who hold a MD, PhD, or equivalent degree
for applicants from all disciplines relevant to kidney disease
amount: $70,000/yr for 3 years (MD); $60,000/yr for 3 years (PhD)
deadline: Jan

American Liver Foundation (ALF) Liver Scholar Awards

provide young scientists with support for their research to bridge the gap between completion of research training and attainment of status as an independent research scientist
develop the potential of outstanding, young scientists and encourage research in liver physiology and disease
applicants must apply while they are within the first 3 years of their first faculty appointment
amount: $225,000 divided over 3 years
deadline: Oct

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Career Development Awards

supports salary of an independent researcher whose research is relevant to Multiple Sclerosis
applicants must hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent), have recently completed their training in research, and be in the early stages of independent research relevant to Multiple Sclerosis (<5 years)
amount: $50,000/year for up to 3 years (renewable)
deadline: Oct

Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program in Pulmonary Research

supports the development of outstanding investigators who plan careers in pulmonary and critical care medicine
applicants are in transition from post-doctoral trainee to independent investigator
proposed research will focus on lung biology or lung disease
amount: $50,000 (1st year); $52,000 (2nd year); $54,000 (third year)
deadline: Oct

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International - Career Development Awards

attract qualified and promising scientists early in their faculty careers
and give them the opportunity to establish themselves in diabetes research
applicants must have obtained their first degree (MD, PhD, DMD, DVM, or equivalent) at least 3, but not more than 7, years before the award
applicants must hold an academic faculty level position (including assistant professor or equivalent) at the time of the application
amount: $150,000/year for up to 5 years
deadline: Jan, July

New York Stem Cell Foundation – Neuroscience Investigator Awards

for innovative and excellent science with the probability for transforming the field of neuroscience research
for areas of developmental, cellular, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience; proposals need not be related to stem cells
applicants should be within 5 years of starting as a tenure track professor or of initially holding a comparable position
amount: $300,000/year for up to 5 years
deadline: July

New York Stem Cell Foundation – Stem Cell Investigator Awards

for research exploring the therapeutic potential of human stem cells
for innovative science with the probability for transforming the field of stem cell research and advancing the understanding and eventual use of stem cells for the treatment of human disease
NYSCF will partner with the investigator to advance translational goals of the research
applicants should be within 5 years of starting as a tenure track professor or of initially holding a comparable position
amount: $300,000/year for up to 5 years
deadline: July

External Funding – Cancer Grants

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Association for International Cancer Research (AICR) - Research Grants

supports fundamental research into the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer
emphasis is on basic, as opposed to clinical, research
interested in supporting scientists establishing their first research group
foreign scientists can apply
3 years
amount: £100,000-200,000 (= $200,000-400,000)
success rates: 11.4% (2008); 8.4% (2009); 8% (2010)
deadlines: Apr and Oct

Cancer Research Institute – Investigator Award Program

supports accomplished Assistant Professors undertaking their first independent investigations in cancer immunology or general immunology
applicants must hold a doctoral degree and be a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the time of award activation
amount: $50,000/yr for 4 years
deadline: Mar

Leukemia Research Foundation – New Investigator Research Grants

support research related to leukemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes
amount: $100,000 for 1 year
applicants must be within 7 years of their first independent position
deadline: Feb

Rethink Breast Cancer - Career Development Awards

provide junior scientists with early-stage support for training in translational research in breast cancer under the direction of an established research supervisor
provide salary and reagent stipends to trainee investigators
for applicants who hold or are completing a Ph.D. or M.D. and for junior faculty in a non-permanent or transitional position
deadline: Nov (letter of intent)

Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Career Catalyst Research Grants

provide unique opportunities for scientists in the early stages of their career to further their research independence
provides support for research exploring important issues and novel approaches that will lead to substantial progress in breast cancer research and reductions in breast cancer incidence and/or mortality within the next decade
applicants must not have held any faculty appointment, including non-tenure and tenure track appointments combined, for > 6 years
deadline: June/July

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy - Young Investigator Award Research Grants

for development of cell and gene therapy approaches for cancer treatment
specific areas targetted for funding (see agency website)
applicants must hold an MD, MPH, PhD, or equivalent degree, and be a tenure track Assistant Professor within 5 years of their initial appointment to this rank at the time of award activation
amount: up to $250,000 over 3 years
deadline: Aug (abstract); Sept (full application by invitation)

Conquer Cancer Now (Concern) Foundation Awards

for independent investigators at the level of Assistant Professor
priority will be given to proposals from investigators who have yet to obtain significant funding for their work
for research in the areas of cancer genetics, cell biology, and immunology
amount: $50,000 for one year; second year conditional on progress
deadline: Sept (LOI); Dec (full application)

Sontag Foundation Distinguished Scientist Awards

presented to the most outstanding early career scientists with inspiring brain cancer research proposals
applicants must hold their first independent full-time faculty appointment at the level of assistant professor, independent researcher, or equivalent position
proposed research should demonstrate potential to generate new knowledge relating to causes, cure, or treatment of primary brain tumors/brain cancer
amount: $150,000/yr for up to 4 years
deadline: Mar

Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada - Research Grants

for young researchers conducting quality brain tumour research
applications will be considered for basic, clinical, or translational Research
amount: $25,000
deadline: Apr

National Lung Cancer Partnership Young Investigator Research Grants

for junior clinical and basic investigators involved in lung cancer etiology, prevention, and treatment
applicant must hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DO, DrPH, or equivalent) and be a postdoctoral fellow or within the first five years of faculty appointment at a not-for-profit institution in the United States or Canada
$100,000 over 2 years
deadline: spring

Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Awards

for highly innovative basic science programs, but priority will be given to
“bench to bedside” translational research proposals with the potential to deliver near term benefit to patients with prostate cancer
applicant should be within six years following completion of a professional degree or clinical training, such as MD, PhD, MD-PhD, MPH, or equivalent
amount: $75,000/yr for 3 years
deadline: Aug

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Internal Funding

Petro-Canada Young Innovator Awards (specific to Western and Robarts)

applicants can apply up to their 8th year on faculty from the initial date of their appointment
priority given to research areas relevant to interests of Petro-Canada (but other research areas will be considered)
2 awards given: for Western faculty only and for Robarts faculty/post-docs only
Western award is $12,500; Robarts award is $3500
deadline: Feb (except for 2011: Robarts award applications due 15 June 2011)

International Research Awards

for the cost of international research projects of modest scope
provide seed money for one-time requests and projects of short duration, which involve a significant international component
amount: $7000
deadline: May, Nov

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - Gap Funding

open to all Schulich faculty members, including affiliated Institute Scientists, who:

submitted an application to latest CIHR Operating Grant competition;
were ranked within the top 40% of submitted proposals by the relevant review committee; and
did not receive funding from CIHR

priorities for funding:
- junior faculty (assistant professor level or equivalent; i.e., non-tenured, if in tenure track stream; in initial 5 year, appointment if not)
- current graduate students at risk with no alternate sources of support
- other faculty (i.e., non-junior faculty)
amount: $10,000 to $15,000
deadline: Mar, Aug

Child Health Research Institute - Internal Research Grant (CHRI)

principal applicant must be a member of CHRI and have a university appointment
research activity, clinical or basic, must be performed in a London-based institution or its affiliated institutions
amount: $7500
deadline: Apr

Lawson Health Research Institute (LHRI) - Internal Research Fund (IRF)

for LHRI researchers
for start-up funds (researchers within first 5 years of academic appointment) and other research funding types (salary for post-doctoral scholars starting new projects)
deadlines: spring, fall

London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP) - Small Grants for Cancer Research and Training

for cancer research projects requiring < $25,000/yr
all applications must be dedicated to enhancing the capacity of the LRCP to be a premier cancer program provincially, nationally, and internationally
applicants must be primary or cross-appointees to the UWO Dept. of Oncology
applicants must hold academic appointments at UWO and/or the Lawson Health Research Institute that allow application to major provincial, national, and international agencies for peer-reviewed funding
supports new research ideas with potential to attract external, peer-reviewed funding (other research types also eligible)
for 1 year only, with potential for competitive renewal only where specifically noted on the application form
deadlines: spring, fall

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Last updated by Lynn Weir, July 2011.