Recognizing the vital role cross-trained scientists will play in furthering biomedical science, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund developed the Career Awards at the Scientific Interface. These grants are intended to foster the early career development of researchers who are dedicated to pursuing a career in academic research. The specific target group are researchers who have transitioned from graduate work in the physical/mathematical/computational sciences or engineering into postdoctoral work in the biological sciences.

Career Awards at the Scientific Interface BWF’s Career Awards at the Scientific Interface (CASI) provide $560,000 over five years to bridge advanced postdoctoral training and the first three years of faculty service. These awards are open to U.S. and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or temporary residents. Scientific advances such as genomics, quantitative structural biology, imaging techniques, and modeling of complex systems have created opportunities for exciting research careers at the interface between the physical/ computational sciences and the biological sciences. Tackling key problems in biology will require scientists trained in areas such as chemistry, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, and engineering. Special Considerations Proposals that include deep or machine learning applications of artificial intelligence are particularly encouraged. Special consideration will also be given to proposals that investigate the connection between climate change and human health. n BWF strongly encourages applications from persons who have been historically underrepresented in the research enterprise, including but not limited to: women of any ethnic or racial group; any person identifying as Black or African American, Latino/a or Hispanic American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, indigenous to the Pacific Islands, indigenous Canadian; persons with disabilities; persons from disadvantaged backgrounds (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOTOD-20-031.html for examples); and individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+. n In addition to seeking participants from the historically underrepresented groups described above, BWF is also interested in increasing diversity based on characteristics such as geographical location of institution, personal experiences and background. If desired, any of the characteristics mentioned in these first two bullets may be addressed in the personal statement for consideration. n BWF believes that a diverse scientific workforce is essential to the process and advancement of research innovation, academic discovery and public service.

IMPORTANT NOTES n In determining eligibility, candidates may use either their PhD defense date (or MD for MD/PhD) or the date their degree was conferred by the institution. n Candidates who are postdocs at an independent research institute or teaching hospital may be eligible if the institute is a non-profit institution [501(c)(3) or equivalent] in the U.S. or Canada. With the exception of eligible postdoctoral fellows at the National Institutes of Health, LOIs will not be accepted from federal facilities. These policies are non-negotiable. n Grants can only be made to non-profit institutions [501(c)(3) or equivalent] in the U.S. or Canada on behalf of the award recipient. n Award recipients are required to devote at least 75 percent of their time to research-related activities. n Indirect costs may not be charged against BWF grants. Candidates with questions about their eligibility must contact BWF in advance of the proposal deadline. BWF will make no exceptions to its policies.

SELECTION PROCESS The Interfaces in Science Advisory Committee will review all LOIs, select candidates to invite for submission of full applications, interview finalists, and make recommendations for awards to the BWF Board of Directors. Selection will be based on: Project Plan: n Importance of biological questions identified in the proposal, and innovation in the approaches chosen to answer them. Candidates should present clear evidence of already beginning to tackle a biological problem.

n Interdisciplinary nature of the research plan, the degree to which non-biological methods are integrated, and the degree to which the proposed work will open new fields of inquiry. n Innovation and appropriateness of proposed methods; creative and original scientific approaches. n Potential for large impact and ability to advance the field. Investigator: n Depth and rigor of training in a scientific discipline other than biology. n Scientific experience to move project forward. n Potential of candidate to establish a successful independent research career, evidenced by productivity during the postdoctoral period prior to application. n Quality of proposed collaborations, recommendations, and personal statement.

Impact of person on the BWF CASI community n Provides impactful/unique voice to the BWF/CASI community based on characteristics such as field of research, institution, personal experiences and background, gender, race/ethnicity, etc. n Cultivates collaborative and collegial relationships within the community. n Meets one of the “Special Consideration Criteria” for scientific research project, i.e. AI/ML or Climate Change and Human Health. n All eligibility requirements having been met. Candidates selected to submit a full application will be notified by November 25, 2024. The full application deadline is January 10, 2025. Candidates not selected may reapply in the next award cycle, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. BWF does not provide critiques of unfunded proposals.

TERMS OF GRANT/ USE OF FUNDS

Indirect costs may not be charged against the grants. BWF’s Career Awards at the Scientific Interface (CASI) provide $560,000 over five years to bridge advanced postdoctoral training and the first three years of faculty service. These awards are open to U.S. and Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as temporary residents. Grants are made to institutions on behalf of the named award recipients. The institutions must qualify as a 501(c) (3) or equivalent and the institution’s most current U.S. Tax Determination Letter must be on file with the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF). The institutions are responsible for disbursing the funds and for maintaining adequate supporting records and receipts of expenditures. Award recipients must provide BWF with an annual progress report, and institutions must provide an annual financial report, using forms provided by BWF. Continued funding will depend on both the timely submission of these reports and their favorable review by BWF and its program advisory committee. Award recipients may obtain funds from other sources for research in the same or similar areas as that conducted under these grants, so long as there is no conflict with meeting the terms of BWF’s award. Award recipients may not hold concurrent BWF awards or NIH K99/R00 awards.

The support allocated for research is under the control of the award recipient and may be used flexibly for such items as equipment, consumable supplies, travel to scientific meetings, and laboratory personnel working with the award recipient. Prior approval by BWF is required when, within an award year, purchases of equipment exceed $20,000 or travel costs exceed $8,000. During the award period, unused research funds may be carried over to the succeeding year. At the termination of the grant period, unspent grant funds that exceed 5% of the original grant awarded or $28,000 (whichever is less) must be returned to BWF within 30 days, unless the named investigator transfers to a new institution. Award recipients may receive a no-cost extension for 12-24 months; requests explaining why an extension is needed must be submitted in writing at least four months prior to the end of the award.

Burroughs Wellcome Fund allows for an institutional allowance of up to 10% of the total award to support the cost of fringe benefits, such as health insurance premiums, vacation, or retirement for the named investigator. Additionally, up to $5,000 per year may be used towards childcare expenses. When the cost of fringe benefits exceeds the BWF institutional allowance, the institution is expected to cover these costs as an indication of support for the named investigator. Any portion of the institutional allowance which is not used to support the named investigator’s benefits will be added to the named investigator’s research allowance.

BWF acknowledges that most postdoctoral fellows will receive offers from and will move to new institutions to begin their independent research careers; therefore, this award is “portable.” Written approval from BWF is required, however, in order for the grant to be transferred to the new institution. Requests must be received at least four months prior to any move, and approval will be based on whether the move will enhance the award recipient’s scientific growth and development, and whether the hiring institution demonstrates adequate commitment to the award recipient’s career. Award recipients who change institutions may take with them any equipment or supplies purchased under the award. The balance of any unused award funds will need to be sent back to BWF and then will be transferred to the new institution. The awardee must transfer to a non-profit Institution in the U.S. or Canada for the faculty portion of the award. The award will be terminated for awardees transferring to Institutions outside of the U.S. or Canada; the balance of any unused award funds will need to be sent back to BWF.

When hiring a BWF award recipient to a tenure-track faculty position, the hiring institution must state in writing its intention to support an application for permanent residency if requested by the award recipient and if the permanent residency would take effect during the period of employment by the institution. BWF prefers that award recipients do not move from one institution to another during their three years of faculty service. Special training opportunities that require facultylevel award recipients to spend up to a year away from their base institution may be considered; award recipients must submit to BWF a written request that explains why the training is needed. Scientific publications or presentations that result from these awards must acknowledge the award recipient’s receipt of a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award at the Scientific Interface. Copies of journal articles and other publications should be sent to BWF along with the annual progress report.

Award recipients should follow their institutions’ patent, copyright, and intellectual property policies regarding discoveries that result from research conducted under these awards. Award recipients are expected to adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations regarding the participation of human subjects, and the use of animals, radioactive and hazardous materials, and recombinant DNA in their research projects. BWF expects that appropriate federal, state, and local guidelines with regard to scientific misconduct are in place and enforced at all institutions with which BWF award recipients are affiliated. Award recipients should share scientific findings in a timely manner via the standard means of scientific communication, including publications and/or presentations in scientific forums. BWF encourages, but does not require, that awardees publish in open access journals. BWF will not retain any rights to published results, intellectual property, or patents that result from the research.