Distinguished Researchers Program

Cancer research breakthroughs occur through the work of talented and well-resourced scientists. The Distinguished Researchers Program aims to bolster cancer research in Washington by providing matching funds to Washington institutions and companies to recruit best-in-class talent to Washington State from around the globe and support these newly recruited researchers to lead advances in addressing disparities in cancer care access and outcomes.

• Grant awards are up to $500,000 per researcher.
• All grant awards are two years.
• The grant may be used for purposes that advance the candidate’s research program (e.g., salaries, equipment, etc.). Expenditures related with community service, teaching, or clinical activities beyond those required for performing the proposed research activities are not allowed.
• Applicant organizations, including commercial entities, must secure a minimum 1:1 match of requested grant amount with private contributions or other non-state of Washington sources for its recruitment/start-up package (considering all costs budgeted in the recruitment agreement).
• A minimum of 1:1 non-state match must be secured at the time of the application submission. Proof of private or other non-state matching contributions may be accomplished by providing a written, binding, enforceable agreement from the contributor that commits an equal or greater amount of non-state or private contributions to meet the CARE Fund’s matching requirement, and that acknowledges that the CARE Fund grant is contingent upon this contribution.
• In the grant application budget, applicants should include all non-state match amounts committed to the Distinguished Researcher candidate, even if the total match exceeds the minimum 1:1 non-state match requirement.

Distinguished Researcher Candidate Eligibility

• Two tracks within the cohort
• Early investigator (i.e., no more than 10 years since terminal degree in biomedical science was conferred)
• Established investigator
• All cancer-related researchers recruited to Washington State are eligible, including basic, translational, clinical, and population-based cancer researchers.
• Early career cancer-related researchers currently on a temporary fellowship or post-doctoral position at a Washington-based organization being recruited to permanent faculty position and who will lead independent research projects are eligible.
• The start date of a new recruit must not be more than 180 days prior to the date of application deadline.
• The Distinguished Researcher candidate must devote a minimum of 50% effort to overall cancer research activities.
• Distinguished Researcher candidates that have active peer-reviewed funding and/or sponsored research agreements will be favored, irrespective of the ability to transfer such funding to Washington State. 

Application Instructions

Please submit:

1. a one-page letter of intent with a description of proposed aims and approach
2. CV (not NIH format)  of the PI

to research@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Thursday October 15, 2020. Proposals are due to the 12/8/20 so you will need to have your materials in to the Office of Sponsored Programs by 11/24/20 for processing, if given the go ahead by the Proposal Review Committee.