Limited and External Funding Opportunities

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• Email LSO@vanderbilt.edu if you are interested in an opportunity not listed below or have questions regarding the LSO submission process.
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Have you been awarded a Limited Submission recognition?

Please let us know at LSO@vanderbilt.edu

Internal review process required to choose institutional nominees

Limited Submission Eligibility Guidelines

The following tags serve as a guide for submission instructions.

 Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC):  

• VU and VUMC submit collaboratively to this LSO. ALL investigators should follow the guidelines posted on this site.

 VUMC :

• VU and VUMC submit separately to this LSO. VUMC investigators should follow the guidelines posted on this site. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY

• High-profile or prestigious awards of particular interest to Vanderbilt investigators

• Click on "View Full Internal Call" at end of each LSO description to access PDF with internal submission instructions 

NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program

Applications due July 9, 2024

 VUMC:  These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

Overview:

VUMC may submit up to 4 proposals to the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program.

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and fabrication at academic institutions. MRI instruments are, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.

NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program (T34)

Applications due July 9, 2024

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.

Vanderbilt University may submit only one application as the lead institution for the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program (T34).

The goal of the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program is to provide structured activities to prepare a diverse cohort of research-oriented students to transfer from associate degree-granting institutions to baccalaureate degree-granting institutions and complete a baccalaureate degree in disciplines related to the biomedical sciences. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides support to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to biomedical training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the research enterprise. NIGMS expects that the proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, mentoring, and career development elements.

FY25 Susan G Komen Career Catalyst Research Grant

Applications due July 11, 2024

VUMC:  These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

VUMC may submit up to 2 nominees for the Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Research grant opportunity. This grant mechanism aims to foster promising breast cancer researchers who are in the early stages of their faculty careers by providing support for up to three years of “protected time” for research career development under the guidance of a Mentor Committee. Career Catalyst Research grants provide up to $150,000 per year (combined direct and indirect costs) for up to three years ($450,000 total).

Applicants must be Early Career Investigators that currently hold a faculty appointment or have a formal offer letter from the Institution that confirms position and start date by the Application due date (October 9, 2024) and have not held any faculty appointment, including non-tenure and tenure track appointments combined, for more than a total of 6 years by the Application due date (October 9, 2024).

FY25 Susan G Komen Career Transition Award

Applications due July 11, 2024

VUMC:  These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

VUMC may submit up to 2 nominees for the Susan G. Komen Career Transition Award opportunity. This grant mechanism aims to help outstanding senior postdoctoral fellows and clinical fellows, working under the guidance of a mentor, launch their competitive, independent breast cancer research careers. Career Transition Awards provide up to five years of funding in two phases: Phase 1 supports the final years of mentored, postdoctoral training; and Phase 2 supports the independent research of the early career, tenure-track investigators.

Applicants my request up to 5 years of funding totaling up to $650,000 over the two phases of the award. Up to $100,000.00 per year (direct costs only) for up to two years may be requested for the first phase of the Career Transition Award to support the postdoctoral work. For the second phase of the Career Transition Award, the Applicant/PI may request up to $150,000.00 per year (direct and indirect costs) for up to three years to support independent research.

Mathers Foundation Grant Program: Fall 2024

Applications due July 16, 2024

VUMC:  These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu. 

Vanderbilt University may submit up to three letters of intent for the Fall 2024 cycle of the Mathers Foundation grant program. The mission of The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is to advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring scientific research that will benefit mankind. The Foundation’s grants program seeks to support innovative, potentially transformative basic science projects in fields including immunology, microbiome, genetics, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, cancer biology, microbiology and infectious disease, stem cell biology, and neuroscience. The grant duration is three years and requested budgets should be realistic for the project (consider the type of investigation, models used, supply requirements, size of the team, etc.)  Grant budgets cannot exceed $600-$700k (including indirect costs capped at 10%) over three years.

2025 Searle Scholars Program

Applications due July 16, 2024

VUMC: These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

VUMC may nominate 2 candidates for the 2025 Searle Scholars Program, which supports the independent research in chemistry and the biomedical sciences of outstanding early-career scientists who have recently been appointed as assistant professors on a tenure-track appointment. The Searle Scholars Program Scientific Advisory Board is primarily interested in the potential of applicants to make innovative and high-impact contributions to research over an extended period of time. Each year, 15 new individuals are named Searle Scholars and awarded $300,000 over three years, with $100,000 payable each year of the grant.

2024 Curing Kids Cancer Innovative Research Award

Applications due July 16, 2024

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC, collaboratively) may select one nominee for the Curing Kids Cancer Innovative Research Award. The single nominee may apply in either the Collaborative or Individual program type. The goal of these grants is to overcome barriers to the clinical application of new treatment approaches for childhood cancer. A priority is to fund projects that have already shown great promise, but that have a specific funding need to move forward.

Focus Areas:

• Cancer immunotherapy/Targeted therapy
• High-grade brain tumors or other difficult-to-treat cancers
• Therapeutic targeting through genomics/epigenetics
• Applications of novel technologies (e.g. nanotechnology) in these areas are welcome

Les Paul Foundation Grants Program 2024

Applications due July 18, 2024

 VUMC:  These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

VUMC may submit one application per calendar year to the Les Paul Foundation Grants program. The Les Paul Foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support of music education, recording, innovation, exhibits about Les Paul and medical research related to hearing.

Funding Priorities

• Awards grants to programs and projects that encourage innovation in music production and/or performance and to innovative STEM and STEAM programs for students and others in challenging situations. 
• Provides grants for medical research related to curing tinnitus and hearing impairment issues.
• Inspires the public through support of public exhibits presenting Les Paul’s life and achievements.

Internal review process NOT required- Submit directly to Sponsor​

The VUMC Corporate & Foundation Relations team provides hands-on proposal development assistance for non-federal awards. Contact cfr@vumc.org for more information.

Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) Linking Early Neurodevelopment to Neural Circuit Outcomes