Limited Submission Internal Award Deadline: The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program

Limited Submissions: Internal Call for Proposals 

The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program 

UNC Internal Deadline: 11:59PM, Monday, August 2, 2021 

 

*Please distribute to relevant faculty* 

Key Dates

UNC Internal Deadline: 11:59PM, Monday, August 2, 2021

Foundation LOI Deadline: September 8, 2021

Foundation Deadline: October 20, 2021

Important Information

Number of Applications per Institution: One

Award Information 

Scholars can receive up to $110,000 per year for a maximum of five years. Recipients of the Award in Pain can be granted $50,000 per year for up to three years. Rita Allen Foundation Scholar grant funds may only be used for direct project expenses, including up to 50 percent of the Scholar’s compensation.

To Apply

Submit the following via LAMSeS by 11:59PM, Monday, August 2, 2021.

 

1. A letter of nomination from a department chair, school dean (if there are no departments within a school), or center/institute director (maximum 2 pages), addressing:

• • What is innovative and high-risk about the applicant’s research?
  • What is significant/impactful about the applicant’s published/yet-to-be published work?
  • Are there specialized facilities and resources available to the applicant and their lab?

2. A summary for the research proposed (2 pages). The program calls for strong proposals that incorporate creative, innovative approaches that contribute to biomedical science in their areas of interest.
3. Separate page(s) can be included for references, if applicable.
4. Curriculum vitae with a full list of publications and a list of current and pending funding.
5. Names (alongside contact information) of three experts, internal to UNC, who could speak knowledgeably about your research as part of an internal review panel, in the event of an internal review:

• • Please do not include the names of faculty named on the project, chairs, deans, directors, direct reports or others who have a conflict of interest.
  • Please notify all potential internal reviewers before submitting the application to ORD.

6. The names and titles of five potential letter of recommendation writers

• • The list must include at least two external individuals who are familiar with the nominee’s work. For each, include a two to three sentence overview of their area of expertise.

Program Description 

The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars program funds basic biomedical research in the fields of cancer, immunology and neuroscience. The program embraces innovative research with above-average risk and groundbreaking possibilities. The Foundation 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. The program embraces innovative research with above-average risk and groundbreaking possibilities.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award, candidates must have completed their training and provided persuasive evidence of distinguished achievement or extraordinary promise in research in one of the relevant fields (cancer, immunology, neuroscience. or pain). United States citizenship is not a requirement; however, awardees must be legally employed at the time of application at a U.S. degree-granting or research institution that is an invited participant in the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program.

Institutions should consider the following when considering whom to nominate for the Rita Allen Foundation 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. (This is taken into consideration in the rating of applications by the Scientific Advisory Committee.)
  • A senior postdoc should not be a candidate; wait until s/he is in a tenure-track position, as described.
  • 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.

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.

Internal Review Criteria 

The Internal Review criteria will reflect the Rita Allen Foundation’s general criteria that is stated within this internal solicitation.

Additional Information              

UNC Recipients: Sarah Linnstaedt (2020) (Anesthesiology); Bo Li (2016) (Chemistry); Greg Scherrer (2014) (Cell Biology and Physiology); (Ian Davis) (2008) (Genetics, Pediatrics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center); Mark Zylka (2007) (Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center)  

Frequently Asked Questions: https://ritaallen.org/scholars/#faq-list

Past Recipients: https://ritaallen.org/all-scholars/

Review Committee: https://ritaallen.org/about/#scientific-advisory-committee

Rita Allen Website: https://ritaallen.org/scholars/

Please contact the Limited Submissions Team with questions at Limited_Submission@unc.edu

 

 

Limited Submissions Team

Office of Research Development

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill