Award-Limited Submission – Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease; September 7, 2011

 

Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) five-year awards provide $500,000 for opportunities for accomplished investigators at the assistant professor level to study pathogenesis, with a focus on the intersection of human and microbial biology. The program is intended to shed light on the overarching issues of how human hosts handle infectious challenge. The awards are intended to give recipients the freedom and flexibility to pursue new avenues of inquiry and higher-risk research projects that hold potential for advancing significantly the biochemical, pharmacological, immunological, and molecular biological understanding of how infectious agents and the human body interact. 

BWF is particularly interested in work focused on the host, as well as host-pathogen studies originating in viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasite systems. Studies supported by the program may have their roots in the pathogen, but the focus of the work should be on the interplay of host and microbe.

Candidates will generally have an M.D., D.V.M., or Ph.D. degree. They must have an established record of independent research and hold a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or equivalent (at the time of application) at a degree-granting institution. They must also be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada at the time of application.

 

BWF restricts each institution to a maximum of two candidates for this award. However, institutions that nominate a researcher who holds the DVM will be allowed three nominations. In addition, institutions may have a single additional nomination if they nominate a researcher working in pathogenic helminths, mycology, or reproductive science. The institution must submit a statement of nomination for each candidate. In this statement, BWF expects that the institution will tangibly demonstrate its commitment to support each candidate it nominates, including the protection of 75 percent of the grantee’s time for research.

 

Full information is available at http://www.bwfund.org/pages/105/Investigators-in-the-Pathogenesis-of-Infectious-Disease/

 

Eligible researchers who wish to be considered for this program should submit a nomination packet electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to his or her Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, September 7, 2011:

 

·         Biosketch – use the current NIH format of 4 pages

·         Scientific Abstract – one page

·         Letter of Nomination – Include a letter from the candidate’s dean or department chair that verifies that the candidate meets the award’s eligibility requirements and has the required 75% protected time for research. The letter should describe the focus and direction of the institution’s research programs that are relevant to the proposed work and discuss how the applicant’s research fits into the organization.

 

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendation as to the University's nominee(s). All applicants will be notified of the results. The individual(s) selected will be given sufficient time to complete the full application by the November 1, 2011 deadline.

 

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)