Pew Biomedical Scholars

Pitt Nomination Limit: 1
Website: https://www.pew.org/en/projects/pew-biomedical-scholars
Sponsor: Pew Charitable Trusts
Pitt Internal Deadline: TBD
Sponsor Deadline: Typically May (nominations) and September (full applications)
Award Amount: $300,000 over four years ($75,000/year)
Pitt Select Funder: No.

About the Program

Pew Biomedical Scholars funds early-career investigators pursuing creative, higher-risk research relevant to human health. The National Advisory Committee, which reviews all applications, weighs both the proposed project and the researcher — looking for evidence the candidate can execute independently and has a track record of notable accomplishments. Candidates bringing concepts from outside traditional biomedical fields are explicitly encouraged to apply.

Funding Information

$75,000/year for four years ($300,000 total), paid to Pitt for the scholar's use, subject to annual review. Funds may be used at the scholar's discretion for personnel, equipment, supplies, or travel tied to the research. Specific limits:

• PI salary capped at $12,500/year (with benefits), or $50,000 over the grant
• No limits on student or postdoc salaries
• F&A/indirect costs capped at 8% of the total award ($24,000)
• Unused funds may carry over, with a possible one-year no-cost extension by request
• Subawards are allowed

Eligibility

• Doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine, or a related field — including engineering or physical sciences
• As of Sept. 3, 2026, must run an independent lab and hold a full-time assistant professor appointment (will change with 2027 program)
• Not eligible: research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor titles
• Must not have been appointed as an assistant professor running an independent lab (anywhere, tenure-track or not) prior to June 10, 2023 — a 3-year window. Clinical internships, residencies, board-certification work, and parental leave don't count against this limit; exceptions can be requested through Pew's program office
• May apply a maximum of two times
• Faculty with appointments at more than one eligible institution must choose one and stick with it in future cycles
• Cannot be nominated for this program and Pew-Stewart Cancer Research in the same year

What the Sponsor Will Not Fund

• Clinical trials research
• Candidates outside the 3-year early-career window (absent an approved exception)

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. 

1. Interested investigators should submit the following materials via InfoReady by: TBA
   • TBA
2. Internal applicants will be peer-reviewed on the following criteria:
   • Alignment with the solicitation
   • Approach and design
   • Significance and potential impact
   • Clarity of the pre-application
   • PI qualifications

Key Dates