Restricted call: Vallee Scholar Awards 2026 (Internal Deadline: 3rd November 2025)

The Vallee Foundation has announced the 2026 round of the Vallee Scholar Awards

This award provides a one-time, career development award of USD $400,000 to exceptional, independent investigators carrying out basic biomedical research. It is expected that Vallee Scholars will be engaged in bold and innovative research. The Award is intended for junior faculty in the early stages of their career for whom it will have an impact. Award funds must be expended within four years. While relatively unrestricted, no more than 10% of the funding can be used for institutional indirect costs. Use of award funds for salary support of the applicant is not permitted. Salary for others, such as postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and research assistants is allowed, as are expenditures for supplies, equipment, research travel, and dependent care while attending scientific conferences. Graduate student tuition payments cannot exceed $10,000 per year.

The candidate must:

• Have received a PhD/MD or other equivalent professional degree within 12 years of the application deadline;
• Be in an independent research position at the nominating institution and have been an independent researcher for 6 years or fewer before the application deadline

The Vallee Foundation has no restrictions on nominees having received other grant funding but the Selection Committee may, at its discretion, consider the levels and other sources of funding when comparing closely-ranked candidates. Please see the attached pdf and the call website for more information.
Further Information

University Internal selection:

Institutions can only submit 1 nomination. Therefore, this call will be managed according to the University’s restricted calls procedure. Your Department’s Research Grants Team and/or Departmental Administrator (or equivalent) must be made aware of your internal application, and a support letter signed by the Head of Department is required. 

To take part in the internal selection, please complete the online form (NB: if asked to log-in, please use your crsid/Raven details; note that a Form cannot be saved and returned to) by 3^rd November 2025.

You will need the following documents and information to complete the Form:

• PI Name, Department and Email
• Confirmation of the candidate’s date of earning their PhD/MD or other equivalent professional degree; and that they have been in an independent research position for 6 years or fewer before the 1^st December 2025
• A project summary (800 words max), including:
  • An abstract of the proposed research in lay terms, explaining the most novel and innovative aspects of the research
  • Information on the candidate’s background and training and how this has affected their career
  • A description of how the Vallee Foundation funding will make a difference to the candidate’s research
• A support letter from the Head of the Department that will host the award, confirming their support for the project, agreement to host the award, and confirmation that the candidate is in an independent research position and falls within the eligibility requirements

Internal Assessment Criteria:

Please note that the assessment of internal applications will focus on the following core funder criteria:

• Innovation and novelty of the research
• Exceptionality and independence of the candidate
• Potential for impact of the Vallee Foundation funding on the candidate’s research

Funder deadline: 1^st December 2025

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact researchstrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Posted on 22/10/2025