G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation: 2024 Basic & Translational Research Grants - Fall Cycle

In Review // Limit: 3  // Tickets Available: 0

R. Schomer (School of Plant Science)

B. Tanriover (Medicine)

S. Dickinson (Pharmacology)
 

Program updates: 

After evaluating some of our processes with the Mathers Board, we are making two key changes to our Grants Program that will be implemented in the 2024 Fall Cycle.

First, we are decreasing the number of nominees institutions can submit for each grant cycle from four (4) to three (3). Our Grants Program has evolved into a national limited competition over the last several years. We have since received 300+ LOI applications per cycle, and the numbers grow annually. Reducing the amount of LOI applications we accept will allow us to continue to select, in a timely manner, the most appropriate projects for a Formal Proposal.  

Second, we are reducing the total project budget range from $600,000-$750,000 to $600,000-$700,000.  This revised budget range for our three-year grant awards is closely aligned with other funding organizations, including many NIH research awards. 

All other LOI Application Instructions will remain the same.

The mission of The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is to advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring scientific research that will benefit mankind. The foundation’s grants program seeks to support basic science, ideally with potential translational applications. Immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, etc., are some noteworthy examples of current research support. 

For many years the Foundation has enjoyed special recognition in the research community for supporting “basic” scientific research, realizing that true transformative breakthroughs usually occur after a thorough understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying natural phenomena. More recently, and with the advent of newer investigative methodologies, technology, and tools, the Foundation now embraces innovative translational research proposals.

The grant duration must be three years. The budget should be reasonable based on the aims of the project. Indirect costs may not exceed 10%. Preliminary Budgets are required during the LOI phase. A detailed budget justification is not required until the proposal phase.  The Foundation’s grant award is not intended to be utilized for purchasing capital equipment (“bricks-and-mortar”) for the lab and is intended only to support the actual investigation. The Foundation assumes and expects that capital equipment must be provided by the research institution or university.
 

Application Guidance:

• Grant budgets cannot exceed $600,000-$700,000.
• The Foundation primarily supports basic science, ideally with potential translational applications.
• Immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, etc., are some noteworthy examples of current research support.
• Covid-19-related research projects (aims or sub-aims) will not be considered for support.
• Medical imaging technology-related projects and/or electrical engineering technology development projects will not be considered for support.
• Plant Biology Research, Oceanography, Space Exploration. and Global warming-related research will not be considered for support.
• As technology continues to advance, it is apparent that investigations in the area of basic science and translational research may become more and more reliant on collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. It is important to note that any interdisciplinary project proposals may require additional information regarding the collaborator(s)’ achievements and relevant expertise.
• Feedback for declined LOI Requests will not be provided; LOIs or Formal Proposals that have been declined should not be resubmitted at a later date for consideration.
• Renewal applications for the same or related research will not be accorded priority consideration. It is strongly advised that any re-application for grant renewal consider a new direction based on prior research or emphasize some new potential translational aspects and not merely an extension of previously funded research.
• Requests for funding previously federally supported research and/or applications pending federal approval will not be accorded priority consideration.
• Requests for support of clinical trials or drug discovery will not be approved. The Foundation will not support projects which we consider pre-clinical drug development.

Fall 2024

Portal Registration due date: September 20, 2024 (Friday)
Late registrations for our Portal will not be approved for the Fall 2024 review cycle. 

LOI due date: October 4, 2024 (Friday)
Applicants notified of proposal invitation or LOI rejection within a month of the due date.

Due date for invited proposals: December 6, 2024 (Friday)
Applicants are notified of proposal approval or rejection within 75 days of the due date.