SRI-BWF Longitudinal Scholar Development Program

The Longitudinal Scholar Development Program, in partnership with the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, is designed to support the career development of junior faculty and late-stage postdoctoral fellows with a demonstrated interest in reproductive sciences. The program will foster their professional growth through mentorship, networking, research support, and leadership development.

Two scholars will be selected, receiving $30,000 each in unrestricted funds for their research to provide seed funding with the goal of developing a long-term funding strategy. There is a special emphasis on women and individuals historically underrepresented in science.

 

Amount Per Scholar: $30,000
Applications Due: April 20, 2026
Winner Announced: End of June 2026

 

Application Requirements:

1. Funding period: July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
2. Applicants must be SRI members or have applied and paid for membership, by the close of the application period.
3. Scholars will receive complimentary SRI
4. Scholars must attend the 2027 Annual Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, March 16-20.
   • Scholars will receive complimentary meeting registration
   • Scholars are expected to attend the Career Development activities throughout the Annual Meeting
   • Scholars are expected to liaise with their mentor throughout the Annual Meeting
5. Scholars will be expected to serve on an SRI Committee during the granting period
6. Scholars must submit a close-out report, including budget information, within 60 days of the termination of the grant

 

Application Materials:

1. Applicant's Personal Statement (not to exceed one page)
   • Summarize your training to date.
   • Comment on your specific research interests and anticipated impact on reproductive health.
   • Describe the percentage of time your Institution has allocated for your responsibilities (including research, teaching, clinical and administrative duties).
2. Career Development Plans (not to exceed one page)
   • Describe current and future plans for overall career development including research goals. Include specifics of how this grant will contribute to your career development/progression.
3. An Outline of the Proposed Research Project (Arial font size 12 points or larger, single space, and at least 1” margins; not to exceed five pages)
   • Thorough statement of the applicant’s proposed research plan including:
     • Hypotheses and specific aims
     • Background
     • Preliminary Data (if available)
     • Research Design and Methods Including Expected Results, Potential Pitfalls and Alternative Strategies, and Statistical Analyses
     • Significance and Innovation
     • Study timeline

 

Additional application materials below will not be counted in the 5-page total above:

1. Letter(s) regarding applicant status/recommendation (not to exceed one page each)
   • A one-page letter of standing is required from the Chair, Institute, or Division Leader and should include the following:
     • Details on the Institutions’ commitment to the applicant;
     • Applicant’s qualifications for an academic career and availability of funding or in-kind support for applicant’s research expenses;
     • Applicant’s training/career development plan if applicant is junior
2. A second, one-page letter from the applicant’s mentor/research supervisor should include:
   • The mentor’s assessment of the applicant’s scientific skills, commitment to a research career and potential for future contribution to science.
3. Applicant and mentor Biographical Sketch (NIH Biosketch or SciENcv format)
   • Must include a full disclosure of all grants or awards currently received or pending.
   • Should not exceed 5 pages
4. Financial Conflict of Interest Statement(s)
   • List real or potential financial conflicts of interest with the proposed studies. Financial conflicts of interest would include direct payments from corporate entities related to the proposed studies and/or investments that would benefit the investigator or the investigator’s family as a result of the proposed studies.

 

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