Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Biomedical Research Grant

The Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Biomedical Research, offered by amfAR, aim to support innovative postdoctoral researchers transitioning to independent careers in HIV/AIDS research. With a funding maximum of $180,000 over two years, these fellowships prioritize research that uncovers vital knowledge towards curing HIV. Eligible applicants must hold a recent doctorate, demonstrate research independence, and be affiliated with a nonprofit institution. This initiative reflects amfAR's commitment to ending the global AIDS epidemic through groundbreaking research.

The Foundation for AIDS Research
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $635 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,500 grants to research teams worldwide.
Goals
The goal of amfAR’s Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Biomedical Research is to:
Facilitate the exceptional postdoctoral researcher’s transition to an independent career in HIV/AIDS research within an academic institution or nonprofit organizationSupport two years of postdoctoral biomedical research (phase I)Provide the possibility of one additional year of research funding during the first year of an independent research position at an academic institution or nonprofit organization (phase II)
Funding Principles
A major priority of amfAR’s research program is discovering the scientific basis of a cure for HIV. The urgency of our goal demands that we direct our funding to studies that uncover vital knowledge that is directly applicable to curing HIV in people living with HIV/AIDS.
In determining research priorities, amfAR considers the availability of funding, the current scope of knowledge, and whether the research is necessary and sufficient to accomplish our goal.
Questions such as those below guide amfAR’s consideration of research proposals:
Is the proposed research addressing a fundamental question that would propel several cure-focused approaches forward with the answer?How strong is the evidence that the overall approach has the potential to cure HIV?Do we already have sufficient answers to this research question?Would it be possible to develop a cure for HIV without the knowledge the researcher is seeking to acquire?Are personnel numbers and costs appropriate?
Funding
Maximum Funding: $180,000 including maximum 15% indirect costs
Phase II funding for an additional $50,000 may be approved, at a later date, to support biomedical HIV/AIDS research costs during the first 12 months of an independent research position at any US or international nonprofit research institution.
Phase II funding can start any time during the Phase I performance period, or up to six months following the end of the Phase I period.

Eligibility

Applicants must:Hold a research or clinical doctorate completed between three and six years prior to the specified date. The three- to six-year eligibility window starts from the date the most recent doctoral degree was completed. E.g., the window for Ph.D. candidates starts from the date of successful dissertation defense; the window for M.D., Ph.D. candidates starts with the most recent of the internship completion or successful dissertation defense dates.Be positioned to secure an independent research position no later than the specified dateBe the first author on significant publications in leading peer-reviewed journalsPropose a line of research sufficiently distinct from the mentor’s own research that it indicates future independence Have made oral and poster presentations at major scientific conferences and meetingsBe affiliated with a nonprofit research institution anywhere in the worldBe mentored by an experienced investigator at the same institution who: is qualified to oversee the proposed research; has successfully supervised postdoctoral fellows; and is at the associate professor level or higher.Grants and fellowships are awarded to nonprofit institutions; they are not awarded to individual investigators.Accordingly, the application must bear the signature of an official authorized to sign for the institution and, if requested, the applicant institution must submit proof of its nonprofit status. Any postdoctoral, faculty-level investigator who is affiliated with a nonprofit institution may submit a letter of intent in response to an amfAR RFP.Funding Uses:Salary support is allowed, at a maximum of $130,000 (total costs), for the fellow only for the two-year period; time and effort on the fellowship research project must be at least 50%; if additional funds are needed to support salary for effort at that level, they must come from other non-project specific sources available to the institution.The balance of direct costs is available to support research costs, fringe benefits, and employer taxes.The Foundation will consider funding items, such asProfessional and technical assistance, including consultants and subcontractorsSecretarial assistance (if deemed essential to the project’s completion)Scientific equipment (if project-specific and deemed essential to the project’s completion)Project-specific laboratory suppliesPage costs for publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals.Fellowship travel funds are restricted to the support of approved costs (transportation, accommodations, registration, etc., up to a total of $3,636) incurred for participation in amfAR- designated professional development activities. Prior approval (issued post-award) is required for fellowship travel budgets.Members of amfAR’s scientific advisory committee (SAC) are eligible to participate, provided they comply with Foundation policies regarding conflicts of interest.If a grantee organization is based outside the United States of America (U.S.A.), funds from amfAR are restricted to use outside the U.S.A. unless prior, written authorization is received from the Foundation.

Ineligibility

Applications are neither requested nor accepted from for-profit entities.Members of the Foundation’s board of trustees may not participate as investigators in research projects funded by the Foundation. Ordinarily, the Foundation does not provide funds to support the direct costs of items, such asTelephone services (except where deemed essential to the conduct of the funded project)Library servicesPurchasing and binding of books and periodicalsOffice furniture, equipment, and suppliesForeign travel (unless directly related to the project)Recruiting and relocation expensesNonmedical or personal services to patientsPer diem charges for hospital bedsRental of facilities (except in exceptional circumstancesCollaborators