Limited Submission Opportunity: Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars Fellowship Translational Award in Translational Immunology (Non-Cancer)

Applications due June 6

These instructions are for VU investigators. VUMC investigators should visit the OOR funding opportunity site.

Vanderbilt may nominate up to two candidates for the 2026 Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars Fellowship Award in translational immunology (non-cancer).

Overview

This program supports individual postdoctoral scientists and instructors of exceptional creativity who have an M.D. or Ph.D. degree and who have completed by July 1, 2026 a minimum of three years of a postdoctoral fellowship in the field of translational immunology (non-cancer) at a medical school, research institute or academic institution. Scholars will be chosen based on the success in their prior postdoctoral work and the potential impact and creativity of their proposed future research.

These awards are to enable a postdoctoral researcher to advance to become a full-time faculty member at the assistant professor level or higher and to promote the development of a laboratory program that will lead to independent funding. The institution nominating each scholar will be awarded $200,000 annually for two years to cover their salary, lab costs, and related expenses. Under certain circumstances, the awardee may transfer funding to support their beginning faculty position. Indirect cost of up to 15 percent of direct costs, may be included in the $200,000. All applicants are required to provide 75 percent effort.

Eligibility

1. Research in any discipline involving translational immunology (non-cancer)
2. Must hold a postdoctoral or instructor position
3. Postdocs must have completed a minimum of three years and no more than six years of a post-doctoral fellowship by July 1, 2026
4. Postdocs must have an M.D. and/or Ph.D.
5. Commitment of a minimum of 75 percent effort
6. Applicants with a visa are allowed to be nominated with the stipulation that their visa status must allow them to complete the award in the United States

Internal Application Process

Application materials include:

• A two-page research plan with summary budget
• A half page description of your background
• A statement of support from your department chair or center director
• A five-page NIH Biosketch or abbreviated CV

Interested faculty should visit https://vanderbilt.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1980291 to submit an application for the internal LSO competition and to find additional information about the opportunity. The deadline for the internal competition is June 6, 2025.

Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.