Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program

Pitt Nomination Limit: 1
Website: https://www.dreyfus.org/camille-dreyfus-teacher-scholar/
Sponsor: Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation
Pitt Internal Deadline: December 3, 2026
Sponsor Deadline: December 2 (nominations) & December 16 (Letters of Support)
Award Amount: $100,000 unrestricted research grant over 5 years
Pitt Select Funder: No.

About the Program

This award supports the research and teaching careers of talented early-career faculty in the chemical sciences — chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering. Selection rests on an independent body of scholarship built in the early years of a faculty appointment, paired with a demonstrated commitment to education. Awardees are designated Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholars.

Funding Information

$100,000 unrestricted, with $7,500 earmarked for departmental expenses (ideally something that expands existing departmental activity — e.g., funding one additional student to attend a conference the department already sends students to — rather than general office supplies). No indirect costs or institutional overhead allowed. Academic-year salary may not be charged; summer salary is permitted.

Eligibility

• Full-time, tenure-track faculty appointment focused on the chemical sciences, at a U.S. institution (state, district, or territory) granting a bachelor's or higher degree in the chemical sciences
• Must be in a PhD-granting department where scholarly research is a principal activity and undergraduate education is a significant component — candidates in non-PhD-granting departments may still be eligible if they actively participate in or substantially benefit from PhD programs (postdocs, funding, etc.); otherwise, the related Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award may be a better fit
• Within the first six years of an independent academic career at time of nomination — this clock starts at the candidate's first tenure-track position, even if they've since moved institutions; extensive non-tenure-track experience (industry, research positions, lectureships) may also factor into review
• Candidates do not need a primary appointment in a chemistry-focused department, but materials must be tailored to show impact on "advancing the chemical sciences" specifically
• Promotion to tenure does not disqualify a candidate, as long as they're still within the 6-year window

What the Sponsor Will Not Fund

• Indirect costs or institutional overhead
• Academic-year salary (summer salary is fine)
• A budget/project proposal of any kind — this is an unrestricted grant, not a funded research plan

Internal Selection Process

Pitt must nominate faculty for this opportunity. If you are interested in being considered as a nominee, please see the limited submission guidelines before submitting a pre-application to InfoReady. 

Interested investigators should submit the following materials via InfoReady by: October 14, 2026

1. An abbreviated biosketch (five pages max)
2. A narrative of up to 2 pages using the following layout (single-spaced, 11-point font, 0.75-inch margins) Submissions not following the template may be disqualified from the call.
   1. Description of the applicant's research accomplishments as an independent investigator
   2. Description of future research plans
   3. Statement that illustrates the applicant's efforts in education in the chemical sciences

Internal applicants will be peer-reviewed on the following criteria:

1. Alignment with the solicitation — Does the proposal fall within cancer, immunology, or neuroscience, and reflect the program's focus on bold, early-career research?
2. Approach and design — Are the aims well-conceived and feasible, with an appropriate methodology and adequate proof of concept?
3. Significance and risk — Does the work address an important question, and does it reflect the kind of bold, higher-risk direction this award is meant to enable?
4. Clarity of the proposal — Does the narrative clearly convey the question, approach, and expected outcomes to both expert and non-expert reviewers?
5. PI qualifications — Does the candidate's CV and record demonstrate the distinguished achievement or extraordinary promise, and early-career standing, this program requires?

Key Dates