Searle Scholars Program

Pitt Nomination Limit: 1
Website: https://searlescholars.org/
Sponsor: Kinship Foundation 
Pitt Internal Deadline: TBD
Sponsor Deadline: Typically end of September 
Award Amount: $450,000 over three years ($150,000/year)
Pitt Select Funder: Yes. Interested groups should contact PAE-CFR for more information.

About the Program

The Searle Scholars Program supports exceptional early-career faculty pursuing independent, high-risk, high-reward research in the biomedical sciences and chemistry. Grants are made to participating institutions, which nominate candidates for consideration by a Scientific Advisory Board of distinguished researchers.

Funding Information

Awards are set at $450,000 over three years, paid at $150,000 annually. The program does not restrict funding from other sources — the award is intended to supplement existing support. No indirect cost rate is specified.

Eligibility

• Must hold a first tenure-track (or equivalent) appointment at the assistant professor level
• Appointment must have begun on or after May 1, 2024 (for the 2026 cycle)
• Must be pursuing independent research in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, or related areas in chemistry, medicine, or the biological sciences
• Must be nominated by Pitt — individuals cannot apply directly
• Non-U.S. citizens are eligible; awardees must be legally employed at a U.S. institution
• M.D.-only researchers are eligible if their work contains basic science components

What the Sponsor Will Not Fund

• Purely clinical research (programs combining clinical and basic science may be considered)
• Applicants who have not been nominated by a participating institution

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
   • An abbreviated NIH Biosketch (five pages max)
   • A brief research plan (two pages max, including bibliography, figures, and tables), which should include the following sections:
     • Research narrative: A single, proposed scientific question; should convey a 5–10 year scientific vision, not just a near-term project.
     • Independence statement: Explicit articulation of how the proposed program is scientifically distinct from the applicant’s Ph.D. and postdoctoral work.
     • A nominating letter from your department chair. This letter should indicate the candidate's independence, productivity, and standing within the department.
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