Funding early careers

The focus of foundations’ early-career awards differs from federal funding opportunities. These awards:

• Invest in a scientist or scholar
• Help launch careers
• Focus on the longer view, not just the current project
• Tend to be more open to creative approaches, risk-taking, new questions or directions
• Target emerging leaders, promise, impact

Here are some awards that specifically fund early careers:

• Packard Fellowships
• Sloan Fellowships
• Rita Allen Scholars
• Mallinckrodt Foundation (multiple award types)
• Pew Biomedical Scholars
• Searle Scholars
• Beckman Young Investigators
• Simons Foundation Investigators
• Whiting Public Engagement Fellowship and Seed Grant
• Burroughs Wellcome Fund (multiple award types)

Tips for maximizing your application
Write great recommendation letters (HHMI/BWF)