The Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards for Innovations in Immunology

A structured, multi-year program designed to support early-career scientists and catalyze bold new ideas at LJI. Starting with the 2026 cohort, the SPARK Awards offer $30,000 in flexible start-up funding (increased from $25,000 awarded since the program's inception in 2017) to support LJI's emerging researchers in pursuing bold, high-impact projects.

Geographic Scope: La Jolla Institute for Immunology, California, US

Focus Areas: Innovation in immunology, high-risk, high-reward research projects across all disease areas

Eligibility

• Applicant Types: Early-career scientists and emerging investigators including:
  • Instructors
  • Postdoctoral fellows
  • Graduate students
  • Research technicians
  • LJI laboratory and core facilities researchers

Program Structure

Application Phase: Annual wide range of proposals from emerging investigators across LJI labs and core facilities

Project Execution Phase: 8-month period for SPARK awardees to lead independent research projects and generate preliminary data

Selection Process

• Rigorous review by panel composed of:
  • LJI leadership
  • LJI faculty members
  • Members of the Tullie and Rickey families
• Proposals evaluated for:
  • Scientific rigor
  • Innovation
  • Potential impact

Program Benefits

• Seed funding for high-risk, high-reward projects
• Professional development: Specialized training on communicating research to various audiences
• Real-world experience: Hyper-competitive format that simulates actual research grant and biotech investment challenges
• Career support: Practical tools for career success in academic and biotech fields

What Funding Supports

• Bold new approaches to diagnosing diseases
• Novel treatment development
• Potentially curative approaches
• Preliminary data generation for larger grants

Contact

• Email: contact@lji.org
• Phone: +1 (858) 752-6500
• Address: 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037

Application Process

Timing: Annual application cycle

Key Phases:

1. Application Phase: LJI receives proposals from emerging investigators across laboratories and core facilities
2. Selection Phase: Rigorous review by LJI leadership, faculty, and Tullie/Rickey family members
3. Finalist Announcement: Finalists are selected as SPARK awardees
4. Professional Development: Finalists receive specialized training on communicating research
5. Project Execution Phase: 8-month period to conduct independent research and generate preliminary data

What is Reviewed:

• Scientific rigor
• Innovation
• Potential impact

Required Elements (implied from program structure):

• Research proposal
• Project budget and justification
• Timeline for 8-month execution
• Preliminary data or feasibility evidence

Note: Specific application materials, narrative questions, and submission procedures are not detailed in the provided content. Applicants should contact LJI directly for detailed application requirements and deadlines.