Limited Submission Opportunity: 2026 Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholar Fellowship – Gene Therapy/Gene Editing

Applications due Aug. 20

These instructions are for VU investigators. VUMC investigators should visit the OOR funding opportunity site.

Vanderbilt University may nominate one candidate for the 2026 Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars Fellowship Award.

Overview

This program supports individual postdoctoral scientists of exceptional creativity who have an M.D. or Ph.D. degree and who have completed by July 1, 2026 a minimum of three years of a postdoctoral fellowship in the field of gene therapy and/or gene editing at a medical school, research institute, or academic institution. Scholars will be chosen based on the success in their prior post-doctoral work and the importance and creativity of their proposed future research.

These awards are to enable a postdoctoral researcher to advance to become a full-time faculty member at the Assistant Professor level or higher and to promote the development of a laboratory program that will lead to independent funding. The institution nominating each scholar will be awarded $200,000 annually for two years to cover their salary, lab costs, and related expenses. Under certain circumstances, the awardee may transfer funding to support their beginning faculty position. Indirect cost of up to 15% of direct costs, may be included in the $200,000. All applicants are required to provide 75% effort.

Eligibility & Criteria

1. Research focused in any discipline involving gene therapy or gene editing
2. Postdocs must have completed a minimum of three years and no more than six years of a post-doctoral fellowship by July 1, 2026
3. Postdocs must have an M.D. and/or Ph.D.
4. Commitment of a minimum of 75% effort

Application Materials

To apply for this opportunity, prepare and submit the following: 

1. Brief research plan including summary budget; two-page max, references may be included on a separate page
   • Plan should describe importance of the project, methods, and likely presentation results
2. 1/2 page description of your applicant background and the special characteristics that you have for implementing the proposed project and career plan;
3. Statement of support from department chair/center director;
4. NIH Biosketch or abbreviated CV (five-page max)

Internal Application Process

Interested faculty should visit https://vanderbilt.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1988923 to submit an application for the internal LSO competition and to find additional information about the opportunity. The deadline for the internal competition is Aug. 20, 2025.

Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.