[PhRMA Foundation](https://phrmafoundation.org)

April 15, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | August 26, 2026 (Full application, by invitation)

$100,000 for one year; project support only, no PI salary or indirects.

Supports early-career faculty launching independent research in drug delivery, focusing on therapeutically relevant formulation and delivery innovations.

Strict eligibility: early-career, limited prior funding, one applicant per lab.

--- ## Description This grant from the PhRMA Foundation provides $100,000 in project support for one year to early-career faculty at accredited U.S. universities working in drug delivery research. The program aims to advance the science of drug formulation, dosage, and delivery technologies to make treatments safer, more effective, and clinically viable. Supported research may include formulation composition, delivery modalities, CMC process innovations for challenging drug entities, and predictive modeling (including computational and AI-based approaches) with a clear translational pathway. Projects must define the therapeutic payload, target tissue, dosing rationale, and a plan for assessing delivery efficiency and biodistribution. Platform-only proposals lacking therapeutic context are not eligible. --- ## Due Dates - **April 15, 2026:** Letter of Intent deadline (by 12:00 p.m. ET) - **August 26, 2026:** Full application deadline (by invitation, by 12:00 p.m. ET) - **July 1, 2026:** Notification to submit full application (for select candidates) - **December 15, 2026:** Award notification --- ## Funding Amount - **Award:** $100,000 (one year) - **Use of Funds:** Project support only; may be used for research expenses, personnel (excluding PI salary), equipment, and data. Up to $1,500 may be used for travel to U.S. professional meetings. - **Restrictions:** No PI salary, fringe benefits, tuition, or indirect costs. Funds are non-transferable and must be used as proposed. --- ## Eligibility - **Position:** Full-time, promotion-eligible, research-intensive faculty at a PhD-granting, accredited U.S. university by LOI submission. - **Career Stage:** Appointment as faculty must begin after January 1, 2025; last terminal degree must be awarded after January 1, 2017. - **Citizenship:** Open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. - **Funding Restrictions:** Cannot have substantial external research funding (generally >$250,000/year direct costs), including being PI on NIH R/K series, NSF CAREER, or similar large awards. Startup funding should generally be less than $750,000. - **Publications:** At least three first-author publications required. - **Lab Limit:** Only one applicant (predoc, postdoc, or faculty) per lab per cycle. - **Other:** Must be eligible to apply for independent external research funding at their institution. --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Submit via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp?GMID=206). - Required: NIH biosketch, project abstract, LOI (max 4,500 characters), figures/citations attachment, and responses to Research Impact Questions. - Deadline: April 15, 2026, by noon ET. 2. **Full Application (by invitation):** - Notification by July 1, 2026. - Due August 26, 2026, by noon ET. - Includes: General info, biosketch, extended letter, research plan (NIH-style, max 8 pages + 1 page aims), budget, reference/support letters, collaborator letters (if applicable), and other standard sections. - Letters of support must be uploaded before the deadline. - Application must be validated and e-signed by the applicant (institutional signatures may be required). 3. **Award Notification:** - December 15, 2026. --- ## Additional Information - Funding begins as early as January 1, 2027, or the first of any month through August 1, 2027. - Award is conditional on continued university employment; unspent funds must be returned. - A final progress and financial report is required within 60 days of completion. - Any changes to the project require Foundation approval. --- ## External Links - [PhRMA Foundation Drug Delivery Grant Program Page](https://www.phrmafoundation.org/grants-fellowships/faculty-starter-grants/drug-delivery/) - [PhRMA Foundation Main Grants & Fellowships](https://www.phrmafoundation.org/grants-fellowships/) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp?GMID=206) - [PhRMA Foundation Contact Page](https://www.phrmafoundation.org/about/contact-us/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Method | |--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | info@phrmafoundation.org | | Application Portal | [ProposalCentral Support](mailto:pcsupport@altum.com) or 800-875-2562 (Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET) | | Program Details | [PhRMA Foundation Contact Page](https://www.phrmafoundation.org/about/contact-us/) |

Drug Delivery Faculty Starter Grant

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