Applications due July 8

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

Vanderbilt University may nominate two candidates for the 2026 Searle Scholars Program, which supports the independent research of outstanding early-career scientists who have recently been appointed as assistant professors on a tenure-track appointment.

Overview

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.

Eligibility

• Applicants are expected to be pursuing independent research careers in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related areas in chemistry, medicine and the biological sciences.
• Applicants should have begun their appointment as an independent investigator at the assistant professor level on or after May 1, 2024. The appointment must be their first tenure-track position, or its nearest equivalent.
• The Program does not ordinarily support purely clinical research but has supported research programs that include both clinical and basic components.
• Applicants who were nominated for awards in the previous competition year but were not awarded may still meet the eligibility criteria for the current competition.
  • Contact VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu if this applies.

Potential applicants who are unsure if their research is appropriate for the program are encouraged to examine the research interests of present and former Searle Scholars.

See the Eligibility, FAQs and Award Information sections for more information.

Internal Application Instructions

Interested faculty should visit https://vanderbilt.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1984499 to submit an application for the internal LSO competition and to find additional information about the opportunity. The deadline for the internal competition is July 8, 2025:

1. Brief (two-page maximum) research plan including summary budget (overhead not allowed);
2. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
   • Letter must also acknowledge that this grant does not allow indirect costs. This statement can be used/modified within the letter: "The Department recognizes that this grant does not allow indirect costs and will commit to covering any associated indirect costs per applicable institutional policy."
3. NIH Biosketch

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