Funding Opportunity: 2025 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science
URL: https://vilcek.co/2025cppbiomedto
OBJECTIVES:
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple’s respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $6 million in grants.
In 2025, the Vilcek Foundation will award three prizes of $50,000 to immigrant and foreign-born research scientists living and working in the United States. To be eligible candidates must hold a PhD, and be employed full time in a research capacity as a principal investigator. Candidates must have been born outside of the United States to non-American parents, and must have lived in the United States for at least 4 years. Prizewinners are selected for the scientific rigor of their work, and for the impact of their work in their respective field of study.
FUNDING INFORMATION:
Unrestricted cash prize of $50,000.
ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS:
Applicants must:
- Have been born outside the United States of America to non-American parents.
- Not be more than 38 years old as of December 31, 2024 (born on or after January 1, 1986). Exceptions will be made for applicants who were born between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 1985 and experienced career interruptions due to caregiving, medical, military or parental leave.
- Have lived in the United States for at least 4 years (or immigrated to the United States on or before December 31, 2020).
- Be one of the following: a naturalized citizen or a permanent resident of the United States; an H-1B or O-1 visa holder with a valid visa stamp; a H-4 visa holder with a valid EAD card; a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) relief; an asylee or an asylum seeker who has applied for asylum and has a valid EAD card.
- Have earned a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent).
- Hold a full-time position at an academic institution or other organization. Eligible positions include: assistant or associate professor, or equivalent independent position.
- Be directly responsible for the design and execution of the entire work submitted for consideration
- Have at least one publication as corresponding author.
- Intend to pursue a professional career in the United States.
- Not be a past recipient of the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
- Personal information.
- Upload a PDF of your CV.
- Upload a PDF with documentation of your valid immigration status and your date of birth.
- Provide information on authored publications. The jury puts the greatest value on publications on which you are the corresponding author.
- Complete three essay questions
- Please describe your role in the conceptualization, research and writing that resulted in the articles you submitted. We are interested in the scientific insights you developed, the evolution of your research approaches and strategies, and any technological innovations you may have made. What is the major significance of your work in the general context of biomedical science? (3,500 characters maximum including spaces)
- Please reflect briefly on your background and experiences in developing your scientific knowledge, talents and skills. Indicate what you have done personally and professionally that demonstrates your creativity and productivity. Feel free to make mention of any individual who has played a significant role in your personal development or in regard to your work. In addition, tell us about your future goals and what you are interested in accomplishing in your career. (3,500 characters maximum including spaces)
- Describe the circumstances of your immigration to the United States. (1,500 characters maximum including spaces)
- Request two letters of recommendation by providing the names and contact information of recommenders.
- Sign an age exception self-attestation if you were born between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 1985.
- Submit a completed application by 5:00pm ET, June 10, 2024
DEADLINE:
June 10, 2024