Limited Submission – Rita Allen Scholars 2022 competition

A joint announcement from the Offices of Research and Foundation Relations: We are pleased to announce the launch of the Limited Submission – Rita Allen Scholars 2022 competition. Click on the link below to view more information. 

• • • Internal Submission Deadline: Monday, August 16, 2021
    • Award Cycle: 2022
    • Discipline/Subject Area: Biomedical Research in Cancer, Immunology, and Neuroscience
    • Funding Available: 550,000
    • Foundation Name: Rita Allen Foundation
    • Foundation Program Name: Rita Allen Scholars 2022
    • Description:
    • UCSC contacts: Caroline Rodriguez, FR, caroline@ucsc.edu: Heather Bell, OR, hmbell@ucsc.edu

Overview

The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars program funds basic biomedical research in the fields of cancer, immunology, and neuroscience. Rita Allen Foundation Scholars are distinguished by their bold approaches to basic scientific questions that address problems of global concern, as well as their potential for learning, leadership and collaboration.

Last year, the Rita Allen Foundation received 50 applications from across the country and chose five outstanding Scholars. UCSC can nominate one candidate for the competition. The Rita Allen Foundation is encouraging a diverse pool of applicants that includes candidates from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences.

Award Amount & Terms

Scholars can receive up to $110,000 per year for a maximum of five years.

Eligibility

As recommended by the Rita Allen Foundation, UCSC will consider the following when considering who to nominate for the Scholars program:

• • Candidates should be independent investigators in the early stages of their careers and research.
  • The caliber of early-stage investigators suggests nominees would be appointed to tenure-track positions at their respective institutions.
  • It is preferable that candidates be in the first three years of their tenure track.
  • A senior postdoc should not be a candidate.
  • Associate professors should not be candidates.
  • Candidates must have received committed startup funds from their respective institutions.
  • Candidates must have lab space from their institutions.
  • Re-nominating candidates from previous years is discouraged.

Rita Allen Foundation Scholars may not accept an award from the Beckman Young Investigator Program, Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, Searle Scholars Program, or Vallee Scholars Program that would take effect beginning in year one of the RAF award. Rita Allen Scholars may apply for awards from these organizations that would take effect beginning in year two of the RAF award. Other sources of funding also may influence selection.

To apply

To be considered for nomination by the down-select committee, materials should be submitted internally via InfoReady. Select “Apply” from the menu on the right-hand side.

Please submit the following items for consideration:

• • A short (~400 word) summary of candidate’s research.
  • A 1-page letter of nomination, including a detailed assessment of the candidate (if selected, this letter will serve as a draft for the Chancellor’s nomination letter). It is recommended that the letter be authored by the candidate’s Dean or mentor.
  • Nominee CV

Timeline

August 16, 2021: Internal Submission Deadline
August 30, 2021 Campus Candidate Identified
September 8, 2021:Letter of Inquiry (LOI) deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)
October 20, 2021: Full Proposal deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)
November 2, 2021 – February 16, 2022: Review Period
March 3, 2022: Finalist Interviews, Virtual
April 2022: Grant awards announced September 2022 – August 2027 Grant period

If Nominated and Invited to Submit a Full Proposal

Proposal Requirements due by October 20, 2021:

• • a proposal narrative/plan of work of no more than four pages in length (including references);
  • a detailed curriculum vitae, including the candidate’s address, telephone number(s), and email address;
  • details of past, current, and pending support from other funding sources, both public and non-public, and the candidate’s role (PI or co-PI); on current projects, provide what percentage of time the candidate is devoting to each;
  • description of how a Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award would enable the candidate to pursue new ideas and take strategic risks;
  • explanation of how this proposal differs from or relates to the candidate’s other supported projects; and
  • letters of support from 5 people acquainted with the candidate’s work, at least two of which should come from individuals outside of the candidate’s institution.

Special instructions

Here is a list of past and present Rita Allen Foundation Scholars, the Scientific Advisory Committee and their FAQs.

For support developing your LOI, please contact the Research Development Specialist (RDS) assigned to your unit or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu. If invited to submit a full proposal, please submit a proposal intake form prior to UCSC’s internal Institutional Deadlines.

Call sent: July13, 2021

The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Relations. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations and corporations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits.

For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website. FR Calls for Funding