Purpose

The purpose of the PhRMA Foundation Research Starter Grants is to offer financial support to individuals beginning their independent research careers at the faculty level. The areas of interest within this program are research efforts in the fields of pharmacology and drug toxicology. The program provides a research grant of $30,000 per year for up to two years.

Research projects that extend or develop the proprietary value of specific drug products are not acceptable in this program. This exclusion does not preclude research in which specific drug products are used to test hypotheses that have a general applicability.

In the field of pharmacology or toxicology, highest priority will be given to applications for research that attempts to integrate information on the mechanism of action of a drug or chemical at a molecular or cellular level with the drug's effects in the intact laboratory animal or human, encompassing the potential influences of biochemical, physiological or behavioral systems.

The "starter" aspect of the program strives to assist those individuals who are establishing careers as independent investigators in the fields listed above. The program is not offered as a means to augment an ongoing research effort. The funds are to be used to conduct the proposed research. This program supports individuals beginning independent research careers in academia who do not have other substantial sources of research. Applicants will be judged on the scientific merit of the proposed research, and on the degree of financial need.

Funds are generally unrestricted, with flexibility of use - a characteristic of the program. In an effort to gain the maximum usefulness, some guidelines are in order. The funds may not be used for salary support of the grantee, but may be used to support technical assistance. No more than $500 a year may be used for travel to professional meetings by the grantee. Indirect costs are not provided to the institution, and grant funds may not be used for this purpose.

Eligibility

Those holding the academic rank of instructor or assistant professor and investigators at the doctoral level with equivalent positions are eligible to apply for these research starter grants, providing their proposed research is neither directly nor indirectly subsidized to any significant degree by a competitive extramural grant. The program is not intended for those in postdoctoral training programs. However, individuals in postdoctoral training scheduled to conclude and who will hold an academic appointment by January 1, 2008 may apply. Applicants must be sponsored by the department or unit in which the proposed research is to be undertaken. The sponsoring unit must have responsibility for pharmacology/toxicology teaching and research as part of its core mission. If the pharmacology/toxicology mission is not apparent on the sponsoring unit's web site, the sponsor letter must describe how the academic appointment will support the applicant's career development in pharmacology/toxicology. The grant is made to the university on behalf of the applicant, with the understanding that the university will administer the funds. Schools of medicine (human or veterinary), pharmacy and dentistry are eligible for this award.

Applications must be submitted by an accredited U.S. school, and all applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Applicants holding multi-year national competitive awards or grants supporting their independent research will not be considered. If a national competitive grant is obtained after the application has been submitted, the Foundation must be so informed.

Before an individual is eligible to apply for a PhRMA Foundation award, the applicant must first have a firm commitment from a university in the U.S.

Apply Now! >>>