**Please note that the internal application instructions have changed from previous years**
UCI is among a select number of institutions invited to nominate a candidate for the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. The award supports independent young investigators of outstanding promise in basic and clinical sciences relevant to the advancement of human health. It is intended to provide assured support for successful applicants as they establish their laboratories, thereby encouraging them to be more venturesome in their research and future applications for support.
Pew Scholars receive $60,000 in annual support for four years ($240,000 in total). The funds may be used, at the scholar’s discretion, for personnel, equipment, supplies or research-related travel. Not more than $10,000 of the annual award may be used for the Scholar’s salary and fringe benefits.
Candidates must have a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine or a related field, and must hold a full-time appointment as assistant professor or the equivalent as of November 14, 2016. As of July 15, 2016, candidates cannot have been in such an appointment for more than three years (i.e. not appointed before July 16, 2013), whether or not such appointments were on a tenure track or at more than one institution. Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, or in work towards board certification does not count as part of the three-year limit.
Appointments such as Research Assistant Professor, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor Research Track, Visiting Professor or Instructor, HS Clinical and Clinical X series appointments are not eligible.
The Chancellor may nominate one candidate; therefore, please submit internal nominations to the Office of Research (via the UCI Review application system), by May 16, 2016.
To assist in the review process, I am requesting that each department submit only one nomination for consideration. Therefore, interested applicants should coordinate with their Department Chair prior to starting the internal submission process. The internal nomination should contain:
- Description of proposed research (up to three pages double-spaced with 1 inch margins, in Times New Roman font) describing the project to be undertaken, its aims and objectives, the methods to be used, and the potential significance of the research). The description should include two to three paragraphs detailing how this project fits into the applicant’s “big picture” plans;
- Self-assessment – significant research to date, most innovative aspects of proposed research and what is risky, how Pew would benefit you as a researcher (1400 characters);
- Nominee’s CV (three pages max), including current and pending support;
- List of three potential references, to include (a) the candidate’s thesis advisor, or for other than Ph.D. candidates, a member of the professional school faculty; (b) the individual(s) under whose auspices the candidate was a Research Fellow; and (c) a scientific reference from the applicant’s field who is not a current collaborator, not at UCI, and not a former fellowship advisor; and
- Support letter from the Chair (Chairs: Please use this letter to evaluate the applicant’s skills and knowledge for this project).
Following receipt of the internal nominations, an ad hoc committee will be convened to review the application packets. If more than one applicant is submitted from any given school, the Dean may be asked to rank them in order to aid the review committee in their deliberations. The selected candidate will be notified prior to the deadline for institutional nominations. The application for the 2017 awards will open on August 1, 2016.
To help guide applicants in understanding the Pew’s goals, we have attached to this email a list of previous Pew Scholars along with their research statements as reference. For further information please contact Foundation Relations and/or a research development professional that serves your area.
The Pew Scholars program description may be found here: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/pew-biomedical-scholars/program-details. Questions about the internal review process may be directed to Greg Ruth at greg.ruth@uci.edu or x4-0372.
James W. Hicks
Interim Vice Chancellor for Research
Professor of Biology