[Infectious Diseases Society of America](https://www.idsociety.org)

February 15, 2026

Two awards of $150,000 each; project duration 12–24 months; max 5% overhead

Supports innovative proof-of-concept research in Lyme and other tickborne diseases for early-career scientists in academia or industry.

Two awards: one for Lyme disease, one for non-Borrelia tick-borne pathogens (bacterial/parasitic only).

--- ## Description The Bay Area Lyme Foundation Emerging Leader Award is an annual program that funds new and innovative proof-of-concept projects in the field of Lyme and other tickborne pathogen research. The award aims to attract and support early-career scientific talent—postdoctoral researchers through associate professors or industry equivalents—working in diagnostics, therapeutics, or other research areas relevant to patients with Lyme and tickborne diseases. In 2026, the program will provide two separate $150,000 grants: one focused on Lyme disease, and a second for research on non-Borrelia tick-borne pathogens (bacterial or parasitic, not viral). Projects should be designed to achieve significant milestones within 12–24 months. --- ## Due Dates - February 15, 2026: Full application deadline (by 11:59pm PT) --- ## Funding Amount - Two grants of $150,000 each. - One for Lyme disease research. - One for non-Borrelia tick-borne pathogen research (bacterial/parasitic, not viral). - Project duration: 12–24 months. - Overhead/indirect costs capped at 5% of the award. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be at the postdoctoral through associate professor level (or equivalent in industry). - Open to researchers from both academia and the private sector. - Must be affiliated with a U.S.-based academic/research institution or corporate equivalent. - Demonstrated scientific leadership in biomedical sciences. - Applicants new to Lyme or tickborne disease research are encouraged to apply. - Co-investigators may participate but cannot receive more than 33% of the total grant. - Projects must be able to generate initial proof of concept within 12–24 months. - Viral pathogen studies (e.g., Powassan virus, Heartland virus) are not eligible for the non-Borrelia award. --- ## Application Process - Download and complete the [2026 ELA application form](https://www.bayarealyme.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ELA-Application-2026.docx). - Submit application materials via email to [award@bayarealyme.org](mailto:award@bayarealyme.org) by the February 15, 2026 deadline. - Required materials: - Application form and research proposal (max 10 pages, excluding CV and reference letter). - Current CV or biosketch. - At least one letter of reference from a supervising manager or Principal Investigator. - Project budget (with max 5% overhead). - Timeline showing proof-of-concept can be achieved in 12–24 months. - Use of samples from the Lyme Disease Biobank is encouraged but not required. - Awardees will be announced at LymeAid in May 2026. --- ## Additional Information - The Tick-borne Pathogen Award specifically excludes viral pathogens; focus is on bacterial and parasitic pathogens. - The program welcomes applicants who have not previously worked in the Lyme/tickborne disease field. - Past recipients have gone on to secure major follow-on funding and have included investigators from leading U.S. research institutions. --- ## External Links - [ELA Program Details and RFP](https://www.bayarealyme.org/our-research/emerging-leader-award/) - [2026 Application Form (DOCX)](https://www.bayarealyme.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ELA-Application-2026.docx) - [Bay Area Lyme Foundation ELA Announcement](https://www.bayarealyme.org/blog/bay-area-lyme-foundation-opens-applications-for-2026-emerging-leader-awards-and-research-grants/) - [Funding Alert PDF (IDSA)](https://www.idsociety.org/globalassets/idsa/practice-resources/grants-and-funding/research-and-funding/bay-area-fdn.-lyme-disease-ela-due-2.15.26.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Application/Program | [award@bayarealyme.org](mailto:award@bayarealyme.org) | | General Inquiries | [info@bayarealyme.org](mailto:info@bayarealyme.org) | | Phone (Bay Area Lyme) | 650-530-2439 | | Funder (IDSA) | [Contact Form](https://www.idsociety.org/about-idsa/contact-us/) | | Funder Phone (IDSA) | +1 703-299-0200 | ---

Bay Area Lyme Foundation Emerging Leader Award

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