Bay Area Lyme Foundation Emerging Leader Award
Bay Area Lyme Foundation Emerging Leader Award supports emerging researchers’ proof-of-concept projects to advance diagnostics, therapeutics, and other patient-focused solutions for Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
Funder: Bay Area Lyme Foundation
Due Dates: February 15, 2026 (2026 applications) | February 1, 2027 (2027 applications)
Funding Amounts: Two $150,000 awards in 2027; initial proof of concept expected within 12–24 months
Summary: Supports emerging researchers’ innovative proof-of-concept projects advancing diagnostics, therapeutics, and other patient-focused solutions for Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
Key Information: Applicants must hold a U.S. institutional or corporate affiliation and be at postdoctoral through associate professor level, or equivalent.
Description
Bay Area Lyme Foundation’s Emerging Leader Award supports rising scientific leaders developing new approaches to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. The program funds rigorous proof-of-concept research with a strong scientific rationale, particularly work advancing novel diagnostics or therapeutics. It also considers other areas of research needed by patients and encourages accomplished scientists entering the field from adjacent disciplines, alongside established Lyme researchers.
For 2027, the foundation will award one grant for Lyme disease research and another for research on other human tick-borne infections in the United States. The latter prioritizes bacterial or parasitic pathogens and may support stand-alone investigations or work combined with Lyme disease research. The program seeks investigators demonstrating innovation, scientific rigor, leadership, and the capacity to deliver measurable progress.
