The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program provides grants to leading biomedical research institutions selected by the Rita Allen Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee and within parameters defined by the Rita Allen Foundation Board of Directors. The Scholars Program supports research scientists in the early stages of their careers. Fields of research are cancer, immunology and neuroscience. The program embraces innovative research with above-average risk and groundbreaking possibilities. The Rita Allen Foundation reviews grant proposals by invitation only.
Individuals chosen will be designated Rita Allen Foundation Scholars and the affiliated institution will receive financial support from the Rita Allen Foundation of up to $550,000 over period of five years ($110,000 annually). For more information, please visit the Rita Allen Foundation website.
Eligibility
- Only Wake Forest University School of Medicine Faculty located in the Southeast are eligible to apply.
- Must be in the early stages of their careers. It is preferable that candidates be in the first three years of their tenure track (senior postdocs and associate professors should not be candidates).
- Must have completed their training and provided persuasive evidence of distinguished achievement or extraordinary promise in research in one of the relevant fields (cancer, immunology, and neuroscience).
- Must have received committed startup funds from their respective institutions.
- Must have lab space from their institutions.
- Rita Allen Foundation Scholars may not accept an award from the Beckman Young Investigator Program, Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, Searle Scholars Program, or Vallee Scholars Program that would take effect beginning in year one of the RAF award. Rita Allen Scholars may apply for awards from these organizations that would take effect beginning in year two of the RAF award. Other sources of funding also may influence selection.
Interested applicants should submit pre-proposals following the Limited Submission Pre-Proposal Instructions electronically to the application system by Friday, August 15, 2025 at 11:59PM ET.