The BWF Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows are offered by Burroughs Welcome Fund. BWF has programs that support primary and secondary students, science and mathematics teachers, institutions, and academic researchers: Postdoctoral-Faculty Bridging Awards and Faculty Awards.
Overview of BWF Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows
The BWF Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows are a prestigious set of awards designed to support and recognize early-career researchers who have demonstrated exceptional promise in the field of biomedical science. These awards, offered by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF), provide funding to postdoctoral fellows in order to enhance their research capabilities and foster their development as independent scientists. The aim is to support their work in advancing scientific knowledge in areas such as infectious disease, cancer, and neuroscience. The awards typically cover salary support, research expenses, and other professional development opportunities, ensuring that fellows can focus on making significant contributions to their fields.
Burroughs Welcome Fund (BWF Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows)
The Burroughs Welcome Fund (BWF) is an American non-profit medical research organization that provides funding for biomedical research, STEM education and career development for scientists.
Since its inception, BWF has funded medical and biological science research throughout the United States and Canada. This consisted primarily of individual recognition and funding, such as the Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease Award, the Institutional Physician-Scientist Award, and the Innovation in Regulatory Science Award. BWF also supports larger research projects carried out by multiple teams.
Career Awards at the Scientific Interface
The BWF Career Awards at the Scientific Interface (CASI) provides $500,000 over five years to bridge advanced postdoctoral training and the first three years of faculty service. These awards are open to US and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents.
For details and to apply follow the link below:
Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Program
The Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Program (PDEP) provides a total of $60,000 over three years to support career development activities for underrepresented minority postdoctoral fellows at a degree-granting institution in the United States or Canada whose training and professional development are guided by mentors committed to helping. they progress to stellar careers in biomedical or medical research.
For details and to apply follow the link below:
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Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Postdoc, PhD, and Masters in Switzerland
Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants
Small grants to support the growth of new connections between scholars, practitioners, educators, and/or communicators working to understand, disseminate information and mitigate the impacts of climate change on human health. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis from September 1, 2025 to August 30, 2027. The review will occur quarterly.
For details and to apply follow the link below:
Career Awards for Medical Scientists
The Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS) is a highly competitive program that provides awards of $700,000 over five years to physician-scientists committed to an academic career to bridge advanced postdoctoral/fellowship training and early years of faculty service.
For details and to apply follow the link below:
Important dates
The deadline for the BWF Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows application is 23 January 2025. Applicants must ensure that all required materials, including their application form, research proposal, and letters of recommendation, are submitted by this date to be considered for the award. It is important to carefully review all guidelines and submit the application well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
How to Apply
The application process for the BWF Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows involves several key steps, designed to ensure that the most promising early-career researchers are selected for funding. Here’s an overview of the typical application process:
- Eligibility Check: Applicants must be in the early stages of their postdoctoral training, generally within the first few years of their postdoctoral appointment. They should hold a PhD or equivalent degree and be working in a research area aligned with the goals of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF), such as biomedical research in fields like infectious diseases, neuroscience, or cancer.
- Online Application Submission: Candidates must submit an online application through the Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s portal. This includes providing personal details, academic background, and research experience.
- Research Proposal: A critical part of the application is the submission of a research proposal, detailing the specific scientific question or project the applicant plans to pursue. This should include the objectives of the research, methodology, expected outcomes, and the potential impact on the scientific community. The proposal should demonstrate innovation, feasibility, and scientific merit.
- Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from mentors or senior researchers who can speak to the candidate’s research abilities, potential for independent work, and overall promise as a scientist. These letters are crucial for assessing the applicant’s fit for the program.
- Institutional Commitment: The application may require confirmation of institutional support, which can include the assurance that the applicant has access to the necessary resources, facilities, and mentorship to carry out the proposed research.
- Review and Selection Process: After submission, the applications undergo a peer review process, where a panel of experts in the relevant research fields evaluates the candidates based on the quality of the proposed research, the applicant’s qualifications, and the potential for the award to support their future scientific career.
- Notification and Award: Successful applicants are notified of their award, which typically includes funding for their research project, salary support, and other professional development opportunities. The awards are designed to give recipients the freedom to focus on their research without the distraction of funding concerns.
The BWF Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows are highly competitive, and applicants are advised to carefully review all application guidelines and deadlines to ensure they meet the necessary criteria.
Conclusion
The BWF Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows provide early-career researchers a unique and valuable opportunity to advance their scientific careers. Through financial support and professional development resources, these awards help postdoctoral fellows conduct innovative research that has the potential to make a significant impact in the biomedical sciences. The competitive application process ensures that only the most promising candidates, with groundbreaking research ideas and strong academic credentials, are selected. The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is crucial in advancing global scientific progress and discovery by nurturing the next generation of scientists.