Grants to USA Early-Career Investigators for Research to Improve the Health of Pregnant Women, Mothers, and Newborns

Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award (BOC)

Agency

Foundation

GrantWatch ID#

186155

Funding Source

March of Dimes

Geographic Focus

All USA

Important Dates

Deadline: 05/30/25

Grant Description

Grants to USA early-career investigators affiliated with institutions for research to improve the health of pregnant women, mothers, and newborns. Priority will be given to proposals addressing health equity and preterm birth. All proposals must have a direct link to clinical translation. The eventual goal of research should be to cure or greatly mitigate conditions that adversely impact the health of pregnant people and newborns.

March of Dimes prioritizes investigators proposing to conduct impactful research studies that will advance our translational understanding of, or lead to improved clinical treatment of, any serious medical conditions that affect the health of a woman’s pregnancy or the health of mothers and newborns in the first year postpartum.

All applications should clearly outline a path from discovery to functional studies to clinical translation.

Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria

The Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award is intended to be an early career grant to young investigators who are just embarking on an independent research career. Eligibility is thus restricted. Please consider:
• MD or MD/PhD applicants should be four to nine years past the last year of clinical training required for medical specialty board certification and must hold a full-time tenure-track faculty position (or equivalent) at their current U. S. based institution.
• For PhD scientists, the same timeline applies, but the four to nine year window begins upon completion of their terminal degree. They must have either primary or secondary appointments in clinical departments related to maternal or child health.
• Applicants who have transition faculty-mentored awards (e.g. K99/R00) are welcome if they still have one year of the mentored portion. If not, application should be deferred. K12 and K08 grantees are encouraged to apply.

Chairs of Departments may submit nominations for this award.

Ineligible

• Candidates may not simultaneously hold a grant for any other March of Dimes research program.
• Applicants may not have total grant support exceeding $200,000 per year before the BOC award start date (e.g. R01).
• Those who have previously received a Basil O’Connor Award are not eligible.

Pre-Application Information

Timeline:
• Application portal opens: February 28, 2025
• Application portal closes: May 30, 2025
• Notification of awards: planned Mid-September 2025
• Award Start Date: October 1, 2025
• Award End Date: September 30, 2027

Requests for exceptions on timing (e.g. parental leave) may be submitted to Courtney Dower.

Each application should be accompanied by a Letter of Nomination from the applicant’s Chair.

March of Dimes expects its awardees to attend key meetings that pertain to their award program, or assign an appropriate delegate if not possible. MOD expects members of its research centers to collaborate scientifically and collegially with other centers or non-profit organizations that are identified during the course of the award period. MOD expects that its awardees will attend scientific meetings that may be established by MOD and use good faith efforts to help MOD raise funds for future awards through attendance at some events, interviews, or other public-facing opportunities.

Additional Information: https://www.marchofdimes.org/our-work/research/grants-awards

Number of Grants

These awards are offered to two recipients annually.

Estimated Size of Grant

$150,000

Term of Contract

This award is comprised of a grant over a two-year period.

• Award Start Date: October 1, 2025
• Award End Date: September 30, 2027

Contact Information

Apply online: https://modresearchgrants.aibs-scores.org/

Contact Courtney Dower at cdower@marchofdimes.org.

Please direct any questions to researchgrantssupport@marchofdimes.org.

March of Dimes National Office
1550 Crystal Dr, Suite 1300
Arlington, VA 22202

Contact form: https://www.marchofdimes.org/about-us/contact

Grants to USA Early-Career Investigators for Research to Improve the Health of Pregnant Women, Mothers, and Newborns

Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award (BOC)

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