Overview:
The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences supports assistant professors of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. UMass Amherst has been invited to nominate one individual for this award.
Eligibility:
- Candidates must have been awarded a doctorate in biomedical sciences or medicine.
- As of October 17, 2019, nominees must 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.
- On June 14, 2019, candidates must have been in such an appointment for less than three years (not appointed before June 14, 2016) 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.
- All applicants must be nominated by their institution. Candidates may be nominated by their institution twice in total.
- If an applicant's university has more than one eligible nominating institution or campus, that applicant may apply from only one institution; he or she may not reapply in a subsequent year from a different one.
- It is expected that Pew scholars will spend at least 80% of their time in work related to the accomplishment of their overall research goals.
Award Background:
- $300,000 in flexible support ($75,000/year over four years)
- Approximately 20 awards out of 175 applicants
- One nominee per institution
- Directory of Past Awardees - we strongly recommend reviewing past awards to determine competitiveness.
Internal Application Process:
The internal selection process will be informed by the grant program's guidelines and submission requirements and led by a committee composed of the deans of applicants' respective schools and colleges or their designees and, if necessary, the Provost, Vice Chancellor for Research Engagement, and/or faculty with relevant expertise.
If you are interested in applying to this program please email a pre-proposal with the following items as a single PDF by May 30, 2019 to cfr@admin.umass.edu:
- A 1-2 page synopsis of your proposed research.
- In the heading, please list: full name, position title, department, month and year of appointment as assistant professor, whether you have been the campus nominee previously and submitted an application to Pew (if so, what year), and title of the proposal.
- Please include: 1) a statement of why the research is important; 2) a brief description of your most significant research contribution to date, focusing on its creative and risk-taking elements; 3) the aims of your research, including the hypothesis and methods; and 4) your long-term goals for the proposed research. Studying past recipients and the program's website will enable tailoring your synopsis to this funder.
- A 4-page CV that includes: 1) Education; 2) Employment; 3) Memberships, Honors, and Other experience; 4) Peer Reviewed Publications; and 5) Awarded Research Support.
- A list of current and pending support.
- A letter of support from the chair of your department.
Deadlines:
Internal: May 30, 2019
Sponsor: Nominations due June 14, 2019
Applications due October 17, 2019
Additional Information:
Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches. 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 from the NIH, other government sources, and project grants from non-profit associations do not pose a conflict with the Pew scholars program.
To review Terms of the Award, visit the program's guidelines. If you have technical questions on the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences or your eligibility, please contact Liz Smith in Corporate and Foundation Relations.