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In 2015, Dan Landau, Harvard Medical School instructor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, received a Burroughs Wellcome Career Award for Medical Scientists, allowing him to pursue his research into genetic and epigenetic determinants of chronic lymphocytic leukemia evolution. Landau was able to apply for the award through the HMS Foundation Funds Program.
Each year, several private foundations invite HMS and Harvard School of Dental Medicine junior faculty and postdoctoral researchers to apply for fellowships and grants that serve as critical funding at the early stages of a research career. Foundation Funds are awarded to a few select applicants, who must be nominated by either HMS or Harvard University.
In the past, Foundation Funds committee members consider applications from HMS nominees for about 21 awards ranging from $40,000 to more than $875,000 each. Last year, nearly $3 million in foundation funds was awarded to seven HMS faculty members.
“Awards from private foundations are critical to the careers of early-stage investigators,” said Nancy Tarbell, HMS Dean for Academic and Clinical Affairs. “Fellowships and grants aimed at the beginning stages of a faculty member’s career provide vital support to enhance the opportunity for advancement.”
Interested investigators must first apply internally through the HMS Foundation Funds Program. The committee selects the final candidates, who then submit applications to the foundations. All applications for the HMS nomination must be submitted no later than Oct. 17 at 5 p.m.
Foundation Funds inquiries should be directed to Clare Lamont by phone at 617-432-7463 or by email at clare_lamont@hms.harvard.edu.
