Rainin Visionary Scientist Award

Competitive proposals will demonstrate:

• A novel or creative scientific approach
• Strong potential to advance understanding of IBD biology or treatment
• Clear intellectual leadership from the applicant
• Feasible research aims that can be accomplished within two years
• A strong mentorship environment that supports career development

The Foundation particularly values projects that introduce new ideas, technologies or conceptual approaches to the study of IBD and relevant scientific disciplines.

This award is open to US-based postdoctoral researchers working across a broad range of disciplines, including but not limited to mucosal immunology, microbiome science, epithelial biology, genetics and genomics, neuroimmunology, therapeutic approaches to IBD, systems and computational biology, and translational research. Investigators from diverse backgrounds and those who have previously applied for but have not yet secured a faculty position are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a PhD, MD, MD/PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Be currently appointed as a postdoctoral fellow at a US-based academic or research institution.
• Have at least three years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application (excluding documented career interruptions).
• Be a postdoctoral researcher actively preparing to transition to an independent faculty position in the United States.
• Have an identified primary mentor who will provide scientific supervision and career development support.

Only one application may be submitted per department. Applicants should confirm eligibility with their department chair prior to submission.

• Application opens: April 13, 2026
• Pre-application webinar: April 21, 2026, at 12 PM PDT
• Application deadline: June 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM PDT
• Award notification: September 2026
• Award start date: October 1, 2026

Applications must be submitted through GivingData, the Rainin Foundation’s online grants management system, from April 13-June 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM PDT.

Application materials will include:

• Project Title
• Lay Abstract
• Project Vision, Innovation and Impact
• Project Aims
• Summary of Research Accomplishments
• NIH Biosketch
• Two letters of recommendation (see instructions below)
• Representative research manuscript(s)
  • PhDs and MD/PhDs (2): One first-author manuscript from graduate work; one publication (in press or in BioRxiv) from postdoctoral work
  • MDs: One publication from postdoctoral work (in press or in BioRxiv)
• Budget and budget justification

Preview our application instructions. Detailed instructions will be available in the application portal.

Two letters of recommendation must be included in the application materials. View instructions for recommenders, including how to submit a letter and what the letter should address.

Applicants are responsible for providing each recommender with the following link to the letter submission form. Letters must be submitted directly by recommenders through this form. Applicants may not upload letters on behalf of the person writing their recommendation.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to request letters well in advance of the deadline to allow sufficient time for referees to prepare and submit their letters. Please follow up with your recommenderss as needed to ensure timely submission. Late letters will not be accepted and the application will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Letters should include:

1. Relationship to Applicant
   • How long you have known the applicant and in what capacity
   • Your ability to evaluate their work and potential
2. Scientific Contributions and Strengths
   • Quality, rigor and originality of the applicant’s research
   • Key accomplishments and contributions to the field
3. Independence
   • Evidence of the applicant’s ability to develop independent ideas and research directions
   • Distinction between the applicant’s work and that of their mentor
   • Readiness to lead an independent research program
4. Future Potential
   • Likelihood of success in obtaining a faculty position
   • Potential to become a leader in biomedical research
5. Relevance to IBD (if applicable)
   • The applicant’s contributions or potential contributions to Inflammatory Bowel Disease research
6. Overall Assessment
   • Your overall recommendation (e.g., outstanding, excellent, very good)
   • How the applicant compares to peers at a similar career stage

Applications will be reviewed by members of the Rainin Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board and external experts.

Review criteria will include:

• Scientific merit and innovation
• Relevance to Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Applicant’s research accomplishments and future potential
• Evidence of emerging scientific independence
• Strength of mentorship and research environment

Download the Rainin Visionary Scientist Award budget template.

Funds may be used for postdoctoral salary support, supplies, other direct research expenses necessary to complete the proposed work and travel to relevant scientific meetings. Awardees are expected to attend the Rainin Foundation Innovations Symposium during the award period. Economy/coach air travel costs for this meeting in San Francisco should be included in the budget.

Indirect costs are not permitted.