Voelcker Fund Young Investigator Award Grant

The Voelcker Fund Young Investigator Award supports promising young researchers in cancer, arthritis, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, and retinal diseases. With a funding capacity of up to $450,000 over three years, this award encourages innovation and aims to foster a pipeline of talented biomedical scientists from San Antonio institutions. Eligible candidates must hold a tenure-track position and demonstrate a commitment to research, enhancing the potential for further funding opportunities.

The Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund seeks proposals for the Voelcker Fund Young Investigator Award program from young researchers working in the areas of cancer, arthritis, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, retinitis and/or macular degeneration. Awards will provide up to $450,000 over a three-year period to enable investigators to innovate and develop data that might generate follow-up funding from other funders. Up to three such awards, for a total commitment of $1,350,000 may be made this year.
Program Background
Recognizing that a vibrant biomedical research community requires a pipeline of talented biomedical researchers, the Voelcker Fund Young Investigator Award program targets scientists at the assistant professorial level or equivalent position from San Antonio institutions conducting research relevant to cancer, heart disease, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, retinitis and/or macular degeneration.

Eligibility

This program is open to investigators at the assistant professorial level or equivalent position at:San Antonio Children’s Hospital of San Antonio
The Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas
The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas
University of Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TexasThe grant receiving organization accepting and administering the award must be a public charity exempt from federal income taxation described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The sponsoring institution must demonstrate that it can provide the environment necessary for successful research as well as appropriate mentors.Candidates should:Hold a tenure track or equivalent position at the time of application.
Have a PhD, MD, or MD PhD degree, or equivalent.
Be citizens or permanent residents of the United States at the time of application.
Have received their undergraduate degree within twenty five years of application for the Voelcker Fund Young Investigator Award.
Be able to allocate at least 50% of their time to research.
Have a mentor.Exceptions are made particularly for departments/institutions that do not offer tenure to anyone at any level, a common situation in clinical departments at many universities.Applications from institutions that do not offer tenure must demonstrate a strong institutional commitment, which should be stated in the department head’s letter.