Career Awards for Medical Scientists Grant

The Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS), established by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, offers $700,000 over five years to support early career physician scientists transitioning to independence in academic biomedical research. This highly competitive program aims to enhance research innovation and public service by fostering a diverse scientific workforce. Proposals in basic biomedical, disease-oriented, or translational research, particularly those incorporating artificial intelligence or addressing climate change and human health, are encouraged.

NOTE: Applications must be approved and signed by an official responsible for sponsored programs (generally from the grants office, office of research, or office of sponsored programs) at the degree-granting institution. Candidates should contact one of these offices for an authorized signature before submitting the grant application.
Burroughs Wellcome Fund
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund serves and strengthens society by nurturing a diverse group of leaders in biomedical sciences to improve human health through education and powering discovery in frontiers of greatest need.
BWF’s financial support is channeled primarily through competitive peer-reviewed award programs.
BWF makes grants primarily to degree-granting institutions on behalf of individual researchers. To complement these competitive award programs, BWF also makes grants to nonprofit organizations conducting activities intended to improve the general environment for science.
BWF believes that a diverse scientific workforce is essential to the process and advancement of research innovation, academic discovery, and public service.
The Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS) was introduced in 2007 to specifically address limited funding opportunities targeted at supporting physicians engaged in academic biomedical research. The CAMS award provides support to facilitate the transition from mentored position to independence for the early career physician scientist. The program is ideal for the physician scientist considering an academic career.
CAMS is a highly competitive program that provides $700,000 in support over five years for physician scientists (M.D., D.O., D.V.M., V.M.D., D.D.S.), who are committed to an academic career, to bridge postdoctoral/fellowship training and the early years of faculty service.
Proposals must be in the area of basic biomedical, disease- oriented, or translational research. BWF anticipates making up to 12 awards including up to two awards to clinically trained psychiatrists who focus their research at the interface between psychiatry and neuroscience.
Proposals that incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning or climate change and human health are of particular interest.

Application Details

SCIENTISTS (CAMS)
Application Deadline:

• Wednesday, October 7th, 2025 (3:00 PM Eastern Time)
• 1 BWF CAREER AWARDS FOR MEDICAL SCIENTISTS (CAMS)

Grant Application Portal Available July 2025
Grant Application Status Update Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS) was introduced in 2007 to specifically address limited funding opportunities
for physicians engaged in academic biomedical research. The CAMS award provides support to facilitate the transition from
mentored position to independence for the early career physician scientists. The program is ideal for the physician scientist
considering an academic career.
Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS) n BWF strongly encourages applications from persons
research enterprise, including but not limited to: women
$700,000 in support over five years for physician scientists
of any ethnic or racial group; any person identifying as
(M.D., D.O., D.V.M., V.M.D., D.D.S.), who are committed to an
Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian,
and the early years of faculty service.
indigenous to the Pacific Islands, indigenous Canadian;
Proposals must be in the area of basic biomedical, disease- persons with disabilities; persons from disadvantaged
oriented, or translational research. Proposals in health backgrounds. BWF also strongly encourages individuals
services research or involving large-scale clinical trials are who identify as LGBTQIA+ to apply.
not eligible. BWF anticipates making up to 10 awards in the
n BWF seeks institutional and geographic diversity.
2025-2026 cycle.
Special Considerations
to apply.
Proposals that incorporate artificial intelligence and machine
learning or climate change and human health are of particular n There are many training paths that can prepare
interest. candidates for a career as a physician scientist, and
BWF seeks to ensure that CAMS awardees reflect this.
degree physician-scientists (M.D., D.O., D.V.M., V.M.D.,
innovation, academic discovery and public service.
applicant or awardee pool (D.V.M., Ph.D., D.O., Ph.D.,
D.D.S., Ph.D., M.D., M.S., M.D., M.P.H., etc).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To understand the criteria for the Career Awards Medical n Candidates that have non-tenure track faculty
Scientists program, it is important to read the eligibility appointments and have been awarded an NIH R01 or
requirements below, in addition to the proposal elements, Early Independence Investigator award(s), including
terms of grant, and selection. NIH K99/R00 or NIH DP5 award, are not eligible. Those
with substantial institutional start up packages are also
The FAQs will also provide eligibility clarification.
ineligible.
Competitive candidates for the CAMS award will have at least
determined based on the terms of your offer and will
from becoming an independent investigator, be a first author
consideration please submit your full offer letter to the
have a significant publication record.
BWF CAMS team (cams@bwfund.org) for review.
equivalent] in the United States and Canada, including
the grants office, office of research, or office of sponsored
where, if selected, CAMS funds would be received and
Wellcome Fund support.
distributed. Candidates should contact one of these offices for
be considered subject to program officer approval. For
the grant application. The following eligibility requirements
questions regarding institutional eligibility please contact
must be adhered to and will be strictly enforced:

• the BWF CAMS team (cams@bwfund.org) no later than
• n Candidates must hold an M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., V.M.D., or two weeks prior to the application deadline.
• D.O. degree.
• n If applicable, an authorized official at the applying/
• n Candidates must have completed clinical training sponsoring institution must verify candidate’s
• (residency or fellowship) and be board eligible by the immigration status as part of the application.
• award start date.
• n The primary mentor or faculty sponsor of a candidate
• n Candidates may hold a junior faculty appointment must hold an appointment at the same institution in the
• (Lecturer, Clinical Lecturer, Assistant Professor non- U.S. or Canada as the applicant.
• tenure track, etc.). At the time of application, candidates
• n Citizens and non-citizen permanent and temporary
• cannot hold nor have accepted, either in writing
• residents of the U.S. and Canada who are legally
• or verbally, a faculty appointment as a tenure track
• qualified to work in the U.S. or Canada are eligible.
• Assistant Professor.
• CONTINUED >
• 4 BWF CAREER AWARDS FOR MEDICAL SCIENTISTS (CAMS)

IMPORTANT NOTES
n Candidates who are temporary U.S. residents must hold n CAMS utilizes a self-nomination process. There is no
a valid U.S. visa (J-1, H1B, F-1 or O-1 visas). longer a limit on the number of applicants from any
n Temporary Canadian residents must hold a valid
institutions in the U.S. or Canada will be accepted.
Canadian visa (Study Permit, C-43, C-44, C-10, or C-20
work permits/visas). n Applicants are allowed to hold a National Institutes of
n As a candidate, your visa status must allow you to
is no significant overlap in research aims nor conflict with
remain in the U.S. or Canada during the award period of
meeting the terms of BWF’s award.
the CAMS grant. If a grant is awarded and your visa does
not allow for such a stay, BWF may terminate the grant. n Candidates may apply for CAMS and the NIH early
BWF will not intercede on behalf of non-citizens whose career investigator awards (K99/R00 and DP5)
stay in the U.S. or Canada falls out of visa compliance. simultaneously. However, if awarded, they may not be
held concurrently with CAMS.
n Proposals must be in the area of basic biomedical,
disease-oriented, or translational research. Proposals in n NIH candidates who intend to continue their postdoctoral/
health services research or involving large-scale clinical fellowship training at the NIH are allowed to apply to
trials will not be considered. CAMS, but such awardees must move to an eligible
applying/sponsoring institution in the U.S. or Canada to
n Candidates with a clinical degree not awarded in the U.S.
assume a faculty position. The NIH will support these
or Canada must be fully licensed to practice in the U.S.
BWF will support them for the first three years of their
Canada.
faculty appointment. Their total award will be $515,000.
n Candidates must be committed to a full-time career
of Intramural Research for more information.
Revenue Service determination letter of the institution’s
degree-granting institutions.
n Award recipients are required to devote at least 75% of
database.
their time to research-related activities.

SELECTION PROCESS
The CAMS Advisory Committee will review proposals, Questions?
interview finalists, and make recommendations for approval
to BWF’s Board of Directors.
Eligibility, scope or work or other inquiries should directed to
Selection will be based on:

• BWF CAMS inbox (cams@bwfund.org).
• Project Plan
• Proposal Central Access or Submission Issues
• n Innovation and appropriateness of proposed methods
• Altum – Proposal Central Help Desk
• n Significance of biological questions addressed in
• Phone during business hours (M-F 8:30 am–5:00 pm ET):
• proposal
• 800-875-2562 (Toll Free US and Canada)
• n Potential for large impact and ability to advance the field or +1-703-964-5840 (Direct Dial International)
• After Hours Email: pcsupport@altum.com
• n Creative and original scientific approaches
• Investigator
• n Scientific experience to move project forward.
• n Potential for establishing independent research career
• and career development plan
• n Strong publication history
• n Positive reference letters and personal statement
• (e.g., demonstrative leadership skills, an open and
• collaborative spirit)
• Impact of person on the BWF CAMS
• community
• n Provides impactful/unique voice to the BWF/CAMS
• community based on characteristics such as field of
• research, institution, lived experiences and background,
• gender, race/ethnicity, etc
• n Cultivates collaborative and collegial relationships within
• the community
• See Key Dates on Page 3 for important grant timeline dates.
• BWF does not provide critiques or written comments of
• unfunded proposals.
• Provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements,
• candidates who are not selected for interview or final award
• may reapply in a future cycle(s).
• 6 BWF CAREER AWARDS FOR MEDICAL SCIENTISTS (CAMS)

TERMS OF GRANT/ USE OF FUNDS
Indirect costs may not be charged against BWF grants. BWF acknowledges that many postdoctoral/clinical fellows
will move to new institutions to begin their independent
Awards are made to eligible applying/sponsoring institutions
research careers; therefore, this award is “portable.” Awards
in the U.S. or Canada on behalf of the awardees. The
may be transferred only with written approval of BWF.
institutions are responsible for disbursing the funds and for
to any move, and approval will be based on whether the
expenditures.
move will enhance the awardee’s scientific growth and
Award recipients are required to devote at least 75 percent career development and whether the hiring institution
of their overall time to research-related activities. There is no demonstrates adequate commitment to the award
explicit minimum percent effort that must be dedicated to recipient’s career. Awardees who change institutions may
the CAMS award. take with them any equipment or supplies purchased under
the award, as well as the balance of any unused award funds.
Awardees must provide BWF with an annual progress
report detailing scientific progress. Institutions must provide BWF prefers that awardees not move from one institution to
bi-annual financial reports. Continued funding will depend another during their three years of faculty service. Special
on both the timely submission of these reports and their training opportunities that require faculty-level awardees
favorable review by BWF and its program advisory committee. to spend up to a year away from their base institution may
Award recipients may obtain funds from other sources for
request that explains why the training is needed.
research in the same or similar areas as that conducted
under these grants, there is no significant overlap in research Scientific publications or presentations that result
aim(s) and no conflict with meeting the terms of BWF’s award. from these awards must acknowledge the awardee’s
Award recipients may not hold concurrent BWF awards, NIH receipt of a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award
DP5, or NIH K99/R00 awards. for Medical Scientists. Copies of journal articles and
The support allocated for research is under the control of
the annual progress report.
the awardee and may be used flexibly for items such as
equipment, consumable supplies, travel to scientific meetings, Awardees should follow their institutions’ patent, copyright,
and laboratory personnel working with the awardee. Prior and intellectual property policies regarding discoveries
approval by BWF is required when, within an award year, that result from research conducted under these awards.
purchases of equipment exceed $20,000 or travel costs Awardees must adhere to all federal, state, and local
exceed $8,000. regulations regarding the participation of human subjects,
carried over to the succeeding year. Unused funds greater
federal, state, and local guidelines with regard to scientific
than $500 held by institutions when awards expire or are
misconduct are in place and enforced at all institutions with
terminated must be returned to BWF. Awardees may receive
which BWF awardees are affiliated.
annual no-cost extensions; requests explaining why an
extension is needed must be submitted in writing at least Awardees should share scientific findings in a timely manner
four months prior to the end of the award. via the standard means of scientific communication,
including publications and/or presentations in scientific
For grant recipients in the U.S., fringe support is intended to
forums. BWF will not retain any rights to published results
cover the cost of medical insurance and other benefits, such
or patents that result from the research.
as retirement. For awardees in Canada, the fringe support is
to be used as a contribution to the employer’s benefit plan.

Award End Date August 31, 2031
START EARLY AND PLAN AHEAD!
n Applications will not be accepted after 3:00 pm ET on and teaching hospitals affiliated with academic degree-
October 7, 2025. The online application system shuts granting institutions are eligible to receive Burroughs
down automatically at the deadline and the SUBMIT Wellcome Fund support.
button will not process a submission.
n A completed full proposal consists of data entry fields
CAMS team (cams@bwfund.org) for questions.
troubleshoot any issues. Applicants are responsible for
sponsoring/applying institution’s signing official.
accordingly. It is recommended all letters of
n Applications will require a signature from the institutional
recommendation are uploaded by September 30, 2025.
occur. The signatory official will receive an email once
Document Format (PDF) files.
their contact information is added to the proposal. The
candidate should ideally follow-up with the signing official n NO EXCEPTIONS OR EXTENSIONS WILL BE
and provide instructions. The Signing Official should GRANTED. After the deadline, applicants with
at 3:00 pm. instructions will be disqualified. Only full proposals and
n Public or private non-profit organizations [501(c)(3) or
online application website will be accepted.

GETTING STARTED ON THE FULL PROPOSAL
Overview of Invited Full Application Elements C. Recommendation Letters – confidential (4 required)
A. To be completed online:

• D. Institutional Signing Official Certification Required

1. Lay abstract (limit of 3000 characters) (prior to deadline)
2. Scientific abstract (limit of 3000 characters)

In order to meet the October 7, 2025 (3:00 pm ET)
deadline:
B. To upload to the application as a PDF:

• Request letters of recommendation letter early through the

1. NIH Biosketch (5-page limit)

ProposalCentral system.

1. Personal Statement (limit of 3000 characters)

Be certain to add the signing official to your online

1. Career Development Plan (limit of 6000 characters)

application early in the process. This will allow the signing

1. Research Plan (6-page limit, not including bibilography/ official ample time to review the proposal and complete the

references) approval process.

1. Bibliography/References (optional)
2. Submitted Manuscripts (optional, up to 3)

STEPS TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Log in to the application website (below). The 5. Add the Institutional Signing Official of the designated

application may be accessed and changed multiple sponsoring/applying Institution to the Nominating
times as needed prior to submission. Institution page. Reach out to the signing official to
https://proposalcentral.com
and provide instructions.

1. Complete data entry fields in the various sections to
2. Complete the remainder of the application noting each

provide requested information.
of the proposal elements outlined in the section below.

1. Add your sponsor/mentor and three additional referees

in the “Mentor and Key Personnel Section.” Select the
research plan and manuscripts.
appropriate role.

1. Validate and Submit your proposal once your letters of
2. Request the reference letters from your sponsor/

mentor and three additional referees in the “Request
official has provided the appropriate signature.
Recommender/Graduate Advisor Letter” section.

PROPOSAL ELEMENTS
Data entry fields for the full proposal should be populated Nominating Institution and Contacts (including
as indicated. Items, such as a lay abstract and a scientific Signatory Official):
abstract, will be requested as well. All attachments must be The institution is where the proposed work will be
uploaded as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. performed during the award and the institution where the
The following information will be requested in the full Principal Investigator holds an appointment. The institution
proposal application. for the proposal may not be changed.
Title Page: n Institutional Certification and Signature from Signing
Candidates MUST obtain approval from the institution
Enable Other Users to Access this Proposal:

• that nominated them. Applications will need to be
• This section allows applicants to grant access to others
• approved by an official responsible for sponsored
• that would like to have access to the proposal such
• programs (generally from the institution’s grants and
• as the collaborators/partners. An applicant may grant
• contract’s office, office of research, or sponsored
• three levels of access: View only, Edit (cannot submit),
• program’s office). The institutional or signing official
• and Administrator (edit and submit). Only registered
• should be added in this section. An email will be
• ProposalCentral users can be given access to the system.
• generated to the institutional officer/signing official

Signing officials will automatically be given administrator notifying that an application is in progress. The
access to the proposal. institutional/signing official will need to certify your
eligibility for the award, that the institution approves the
Applicant Information and Demographics:

• application submission, and that the institution is
• In this section, information is pre-populated with information eligible to receive the award.
• from the professional profile.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to follow-up with

Upload the following at the bottom of the page: the Signing Official with instructions. The proposal may
n Biosketch (required as PDF upload) NOT be submitted with the signature of the Signing
Upload a current NIH style Biosketch as a PDF Official. By adding the official to the application, you are
granting access to the application.
an ORCID account and link it to your ProposalCentral
Recommender/Graduate Advisor Letters:
account. ORCID ID is a persistent digital identifier that is
unique to individual researchers, where they can keep their
provide letters of recommendation.
CV information current and share with other systems. Visit
orcid.org for additional details.

PROPOSAL ELEMENTS – CONTINUED
Abstract and Lay Summary: Budget and Budget Justification:

• Provide the following: Provide the following:
• n Lay Abstract: Provide a general audience summary n Complete the budget and justification that explains

below. Take care to develop a well-articulated how this research grant will be spent annually. The
summary that the educated general public can proposed budget may be used for consumable
comprehend. (Limit 3,000 characters including supplies, equipment, travel expenses, administrative
spaces). personnel, student stipends, salaries and benefits, and
other appropriate expenses relative to the research.
n If the awardee elects to utilize the postdoctoral
including spaces).
maximum of $90,000 may be used for salary and
proposal.
postdoctoral phase. A maximum of $95,000 may be
Personal and Career Statements:

• used for salary and fringe benefits combined during
• Application should provide:
• year two of the postdoctoral phase. Any funds that
• n Personal Statement: (Limit 3,000 characters including
• remain at the conclusion of the optional postdoctoral
• spaces)
• phase will be transferred for use during the faculty
• This statement should describe your activities and portion of the award.
• interests outside of science to give the CAMS
• n If an institution’s salary and fringe scale for the
• Advisory Committee a sense of your individuality
• postdoctoral/fellowship portion exceeds the amounts
• beyond your scientific accomplishments.
• provided by the CAMS award, then the institution is
• n Career Development Plan: (Limit 6,000 characters expect to supplement the remaining portion.
• including spaces)
• Faculty Portion of the Award
• This statement should describe your plan for the
• n During the faculty portion of this award, a maximum
• duration of the award and outline the anticipated
• of $59,500 may be used annually towards the named
• steps to becoming an independent investigator.
• investigators salary and fringe benefits combined.
• Additionally, please highlight how the BWF CAMS
• Should extraordinary circumstances warrant a need
• award specifically, will aid in achieving that goal.
• to use more of the grant for salary and benefits to the
• named investigator, prior approval MUST be obtained
• from the Program Officer.
• n These limits do NOT apply to salary and benefits for
• personnel working within the named investigator’s
• lab. However, no grant funds may be used towards
• tuition for trainees.
• 11 BWF CAREER AWARDS FOR MEDICAL SCIENTISTS (CAMS)

PROPOSAL ELEMENTS – CONTINUED
n If an institution’s salary and fringe scale for the faculty Publications (3 maximum):

• portion exceeds the amounts provided by the CAMS Provide information on up to three reprints that will be shared

award, then the institution is expected to supplement with the review committee. Copies of the reprints will be
the remaining portion. uploaded in the Attachments section.
n Additionally, as needed up to $5,000/year may be Provide information on the following by clicking the blue
applied towards caregiving expenses in addition to “add” button:

• the salary/benefits limits.
• n Reprints: (up to three)
• Additional Budget Allowances List up to three accepted (accepted with revisions
• n BWF does not set or cap salary level of its awardees, is permitted) publications or manuscripts that
• nor do we require a minimum amount of the grant be demonstrate your capabilities and relevant research

used to cover salary. accomplishments. Pre-prints, such as bioRxiv or arXiv.
org, are allowable as one of your three publications.
n During the postdoctoral and/or faculty phases of the
award, CAMS funds may be used to cover salary, n Select publications provided in your professional
fringe benefits and professional development profile or add new publications by clicking the “New
expenses to hire individuals in the lab to work on the Publications Button.” Add the title of the publication,
proposed project. However, no tuition expenses may authors, work type, the journal, and any other pertinent
be covered using these funds. information. Adding the DOI will automatically
n Up to $5,000 per year can be used towards care
publication (if able).
giving expense, which is separate from the stated
salary & fringe benefits. This benefit can be utilized n Be prepared to add a PDF of the reprint to the
during any portion of the award. Attachments section of the application.
n Equipment purchases should not exceed $20,000 Only THREE reprints will be allowed. If more are referenced,
per year and travel costs should not exceed $8,000 the additional reprints will be removed.
per year without written authorization.
Research Plan and Attachments:

• n Finally, no indirect costs or institutional overhead can
• Applicants should provide:
• be charged to this grant.
• n Research Plan (required as PDF upload; no more than
• six pages, including figures, tables, images, graphs.
• Bibliography/References list not included in page count.)
• The research plan should describe the nature of the
• proposal, the research plan, and the impact of the
• work. It should be a complete, cohesive, and coherent
• scientific document that tells a story.
• Use a standard 11-point font for the text, and no
• smaller than a 9-point font for figures, legends, and
• tables. Text must be single-spaced, with one-inch or
• larger margins on all sides. Number the pages of the
• research plan. Again, do not include a table of contents
• or appendices.
• 12 BWF CAREER AWARDS FOR MEDICAL SCIENTISTS (CAMS)

PROPOSAL ELEMENTS – CONTINUED
n Bibliography (optional; PDF upload) Sign and Print:

• Provide a list of literature references directly relevant to The applicant and signing official are required to certify

the research plan. The bibliography is not included in that the application is complete and true. The following is
the six-page limit for the research plan. required prior to submission and the application deadline.
n Publications (3 maximum; PDF upload) n Applicant Signature (required)
Provide a PDF of each of the publications listed in n Institutional Signing Official Signature (required)
login to ProposalCentral, edit the proposal, visit the
are allowable as one of your three publications.
Sign and Print section, and add their signature prior to
the application deadline.
n IRS Determination Letter (PDF upload)
Applications cannot be submitted without both signatures.
deadline. Extensions will not be given for missing
recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization.
institutional signatures.
Validate:

• Applicants must click the “Validate” link to check for any
• missing required information or files. All missing required

information will be listed on the screen. Please correct any
missing information before proceeding to the next step.

SUBMISSION PROCESS
Once the application is complete, proceed with the Questions?
following steps:

• Please review our online Frequently Asked Questions first.
• n Click “Validate” on the sidebar to see if any errors are

identified. All information must be provided prior to Any questions regarding proposal content or eligibility
application submission. should be directed to the BWF CAMS team:

• cams@bwfund.org
• n If there are no missing items in the application, click on
• the SUBMIT link on the sidebar. Click the blue SUBMIT
• Technical questions regarding use of the ProposalCentral
• button. The application is NOT submitted until you
• system should be directed to:
• complete this step.
• Altum – Proposal Central Help Desk
• n Applications submissions must occur prior to
• Phone during business hours (M-F 8:30 am–5:00 pm ET):
• October 7, 2025 at 3:00 pm (ET). The submit button
• 800-875-2562 (Toll Free US and Canada)
• will disappear after that time. Applicants should
• or +1-703-964-5840 (Direct Dial International)
• receive a confirmation email once your application
• After Hours Email: pcsupport@altum.com
• is submitted. If you do not receive this email, please
• reach out to BWF.
• Proposals will not be accepted after 3:00 pm Eastern Time
• on October 7, 2025 from the applicant. Plan to submit
• your application well in advance of the grant deadline to
• allow adequate time for signatory official approval and to
• troubleshoot any issues. No exceptions will be granted for
• missing documents or signatures. Only grant proposals
• submitted through ProposalCentral will be accepted.
• After the deadline, applicants with incomplete proposals
• and those not adhering to instructions will be disqualified
• without prior notice. Do not include a cover letter or

supplemental materials. If extra materials are included, the
application will be rejected out of fairness to all applicants.