[Burroughs Wellcome Fund](https://www.bwfund.org)

October 7, 2025 (3:00pm ET)

$700,000 total over 5 years per award

Supports physician-scientists transitioning from advanced postdoctoral/fellowship training to early faculty roles in biomedical research.

Highly competitive; 12% historical success rate; strict eligibility criteria for clinical degree holders only.

--- ## Description The Burroughs Wellcome Fund's Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS) program provides substantial support to physician-scientists committed to academic careers in biomedical research. The award is specifically designed to bridge the gap between advanced postdoctoral or fellowship training and the initial years of faculty service, enabling recipients to establish independent research programs and transition successfully into faculty roles. The CAMS program is highly competitive and aims to foster the next generation of physician-scientist leaders in basic, disease-oriented, or translational research. --- ## Due Dates - Application Deadline: October 7, 2025 (by 3:00pm ET) - Finalist Virtual Interviews: March 17–18, 2026 - Notice of Award: June 18, 2026 - Award Start Date: September 1, 2026 - Award End Date: August 31, 2031 --- ## Funding Amount - Each award provides $700,000 in total funding, distributed over five years. - Funding is intended to support the recipient's research and career development during the transition from advanced training to early faculty appointment. --- ## Eligibility - **Degree Requirements:** Applicants must hold an MD, DDS, DVM, DO, or equivalent clinical degree. PhD-only, PharmD, and PharmD/PhD holders are not eligible. - **Career Stage:** Intended for physician-scientists who are in advanced postdoctoral/fellowship training or have recently transitioned to a faculty position (non-tenure track positions are eligible; tenure-track faculty are not). - **Research Focus:** Eligible research includes basic biomedical, disease-oriented, or translational research. Health services research and policy fields are not eligible. - **Institutional Affiliation:** Applicants must be based at a public or private non-profit institution in the United States or Canada, including degree-granting academic institutions, research institutes, or teaching hospitals affiliated with academic institutions. Other non-profit organizations may be considered with program officer approval. - **Commitment:** At least 75% of professional time must be devoted to research. - **Prior Awards:** Applicants with NIH K08, K12, K21, or K23 awards are eligible; those with NIH K99/R00, DP5 (Early Independence), or similar awards are not. - **Publications:** At least one first-author publication is required (including shared first authorship). - **Application Restrictions:** Only one application per applicant; co-investigators are not permitted. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** All applications must be submitted electronically through [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) by the deadline. Paper or faxed submissions are not accepted. - **Institutional Approval:** Applications must be approved by an authorized official at the applicant’s institution. - **Required Documents:** Applicants must complete and upload the following forms (PDF format required): - Cover Page - Institutional Certification Form (signed by official) - Signature Page (signed by applicant) - Lay Abstract - Personal Statement - Scientific Abstract - **Recommendation Letter:** Only one letter is permitted, from the primary postdoctoral mentor or faculty sponsor. - **Budget:** A tentative project budget must be included. - **Research Plan:** Six-page limit (including figures/tables; bibliography and glossary do not count against limit). - **No Appendices:** Additional materials not requested in application instructions are not allowed. - **No Changes After Submission:** Applications cannot be amended after submission. For forms and templates, visit the [Forms & Resources page](https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/biomedical-sciences/career-awards-for-medical-scientists/forms-and-resources/). --- ## Additional Information - **Award Portability:** The award is portable if the recipient changes institutions to begin a faculty appointment, subject to Burroughs Wellcome Fund approval and institutional commitment. - **No-Cost Extensions:** Up to two years allowed for family commitments. - **Concurrent Funding:** Awardees may not hold concurrent BWF awards or NIH K99/R00, DP5, or similar Early Independence awards. - **Success Rate:** Approximately 12% of applicants are funded. - **Frequently Asked Questions:** Refer to the [FAQs](https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/biomedical-sciences/career-awards-for-medical-scientists/frequently-asked-questions/) for detailed eligibility and policy clarifications. --- ## External Links - [Program Overview and Application Instructions](https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/biomedical-sciences/career-awards-for-medical-scientists/) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/biomedical-sciences/career-awards-for-medical-scientists/frequently-asked-questions/) - [Forms & Resources](https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/biomedical-sciences/career-awards-for-medical-scientists/forms-and-resources/) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) - [Institutional Eligibility Update](https://www.bwfund.org/news/burroughs-wellcome-fund-update-to-institutional-eligibility/) - [Advisory Committee](https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/biomedical-sciences/career-awards-for-medical-scientists/advisory-committee/) - [Past Grant Recipients](https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/biomedical-sciences/career-awards-for-medical-scientists/grant-recipients/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |------------------------|---------------------|----------------------------------|---------------| | Paige Cooper Byas, PhD | Program Officer | [pcooper@bwfund.org](mailto:pcooper@bwfund.org) | 919-991-5127 | | Daniel Baroff | Program Associate | [dbaroff@bwfund.org](mailto:dbaroff@bwfund.org) | 919-991-5133 | | Lama Haidar | Program Coordinator | [lhaidar@bwfund.org](mailto:lhaidar@bwfund.org) | 919-991-5115 | For general inquiries, visit the [Burroughs Wellcome Fund contact page](https://www.bwfund.org/contact/).

Career Awards for Medical Scientists

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