The Ono Initiative Grant

The Ono Initiative Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ono Pharma Foundation
Amount: Up to US $1,035,000
Last Updated: November 09, 2025

Summary

The Ono Initiative Grant by the Ono Pharma Foundation supports innovative research in Chemical Biology, aiming to transform human health. It welcomes proposals from Principal Investigators (PIs) at nominated institutions, focusing on groundbreaking solutions and promoting the development of young scientists. Grants of up to $1,035,000 over three years are available, fostering collaboration and transformative research aligned with the foundation's mission.

Overview

NOTE: PIs should first contact the administration office of their Institution. Institutions will be asked to nominate PIs, but only the PI may submit LOIs and Proposals. Our Mission The purpose of the Ono Initiative is to support scientist Principal Investigators (“PIs”) with creative ideas in selected scientific research fields with the mission of seeking discoveries/solutions and development of high impact science. Goals The goals of the Ono Initiative are: Supporting InnovationIdentify and help develop innovative research proposals and results that could lead to the development of breakthrough treatment solutions for patients.Promoting ScientistsSupport academic research and the career development of promising young and established scientists.Building RelationshipsBuild strong relationships within the community in order to lead to transformative research aligned with the Ono Initiative’s goals. Area of Research Annually, the Ono Pharma Foundation considers proposals from PIs for research that could ultimately transform human health. Although additional areas of research may be added in future years, the Ono Pharma Foundation will only consider proposals for scientific research addressing Chemical Biology research. Chemical Biology is defined as research that deals with the interface between chemistry and biology. The criteria for this field are deliberately broad so as not to disqualify potentially innovative and groundbreaking projects. Selection Criteria Applications will be assessed, and Awards will be made based upon the following criteria: Scientific merit of the research LOI and/or ProposalRelevance of proposed research to the mission of the Ono InitiativeSignificanceInnovationApproachTechnical considerations for the researchApplications will be judged on their consideration and understanding of the technology required for completion.Qualifications and relevant experience of the PIEvidence of a suitable research environment Funding All grants awarded by Ono Pharma Foundation have a three year term. Awards will consist of annual funding of $300,000/year, totaling a maximum of $900,000 for the normal term of a research project. The Ono Pharma Foundation will provide up to an additional 15% ($45,000) per year to be used for indirect costs of the PI’s institution. In total, Ono Pharma Foundation’s three-year research awards provide up to $1,035,000 to researchers and their institutions.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must meet the following requirements:PIs applying must be working at one of the nominating institutions. Nominating institutions might be replaced or added to in subsequent years. The PI must have an MD and/or a PhD degree.The PI must be a new applicant to the Ono Initiative, or, if they are a returning applicant, must be applying for a project different from the one they previously proposed.The PI must be a young and/or mid-career scientist (15 years or below of experience from starting independent academic position).Applicant Nominating Institutions in Chemical Biology ResearchAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBaylor College of MedicineBoston CollegeCalifornia Institute of TechnologyCarnegie Mellon UniversityColumbia UniversityCornell UniversityDuke UniversityEmory UniversityFred Hutchinson Cancer Research InstituteGeorgia Institute of TechnologyHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMcGill UniversityMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterMichigan State UniversityNortheastern UniversityNorthwestern UniversityOregon Health and Science UniversityPrinceton UniversityPurdue UniversityRice UniversitySalk Institute for Biological StudiesStanford UniversityTexas A&M UniversityThe Broad Institute of Harvard and MITThe Ohio State UniversityThe Pennsylvania State UniversityThe Rockefeller UniversityThe Scripps Research InstituteThe University of ArizonaThe University of ChicagoThe University of Texas – AustinThe University of Texas – Southwestern Medical CenterThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterThe University of UtahUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of British ColumbiaUniversity of California – BerkeleyUniversity of California – DavisUniversity of California – IrvineUniversity of California – Los AngelesUniversity of California – San DiegoUniversity of California – San FranciscoUniversity of California – Santa BarbaraUniversity of California – Santa CruzUniversity of Colorado AnschutzUniversity of FloridaUniversity of Illinois at Urbana – ChampaignUniversity of Massachusetts – AmherstUniversity of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolUniversity of MichiganUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of PittsburghUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of TorontoUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Wisconsin – MadisonVanderbilt UniversityWashington University in St LouisYale UniversityEach Nominating Institution may nominate up to two (2) applicants in Chemical Biology Research.

Ineligibility

The PI may not already be engaged in other sponsored research and/or collaborative research with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and/or grant program with Ono Pharma Foundation.The PI may not apply for funding to amplify current work. However, PIs may research a new idea based on a prior finding of the PI.The PI must not be a healthcare professional (defined as individuals currently holding an active state license for which they are: qualified to prescribe, administer, use or supply any medicinal or medical products or perform any professional clinical services). A PI with an MD but without an active state medical license is still eligible.PIs serving on a healthcare formulary or similar committee are not eligible.