The Early Career Catalyst Awards were a one-time funding opportunity to commemorate the Foundation’s 15th anniversary of formal grantmaking in 2024. We are no longer accepting applications.
The Kenneth Rainin Foundation believes that early support for innovative ideas can lead to improvements in preventing, predicting, diagnosing and treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Our Health grantmaking enables researchers worldwide to test ideas, gather and share data, and collaborate to advance the understanding of IBD.
The Foundation made these one-time awards, totaling $1 million, to commemorate our 15th anniversary of formal grantmaking in 2024. The Early Career Catalyst Award provided $500,000 each to support the work of two early career investigators, in any field, whose research had the potential to improve the lives of people with IBD. One grant supported a basic research project, and the other grant supported a translational/therapeutic research project.
Ensuring a robust pipeline of scientists is essential to finding a cure for IBD. Early career researchers bring new lines of thinking and introduce technologies and directions that are invigorating the field and enhancing quality of life for IBD patients. Building their capacity and programs is beneficial and essential to scientific discoveries and innovations.
Click to expand the sections below to learn more about the Early Career Catalyst Award and how to apply.
Funding Criteria
Both basic and translational projects must be conceptually and/or technically innovative. Priority for translational projects was given to applicants using human samples and/or datasets in their aims and objectives.
Applications were evaluated based on:
- Scientific feasibility of the proposal
- The potential to advance and inform IBD research
- Potential impact of award on investigator career development
- Adequate resources available to the PI (at the home organization) to carry out the proposed activities
Awards Calendar
Letters of Inquiry
March 1 – March 29, 2024
Letters of Inquiry are due by 5 PM PST on March 29, 2024
Full Proposals (by invitation only)
May 1, 2024 – June 12, 2024
Full proposals are due by 5 PM PST on June 12, 2024
Award Announcement
August 1, 2024
Grant Period
October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2029
Budget Guidelines
Salary support for the Principal Investigator (PI) cannot exceed 20% maximum effort for the period of the award (max $200,000 over 5 years). No indirect costs are allowed. Co-PIs are not allowed in the proposal. Support for other senior personnel is permitted, but must be commensurate with their limited role in the project. Primary support for the Early Career Catalyst Award will be for the PI and their research efforts.
Budget Amount
- Early Career Catalyst Awards provide $500,000 USD for projects by individual researchers.
- The budget must reflect the total amount of $500,000.
- No indirect costs may be charged.
Principal Investigator Salary
The maximum amount allowed for the Principal Investigator salary is 20% of their Full-Time Equivalent (max $200,000 over 5 years).
Reporting
Awardees will be required to submit annual progress reports and financial reports during the award period and a final report due 60 days after the end of the award period.
