Early Clinical Investigator (ECI) Awards
The Early Clinical Investigator Awards by the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon fund postdocs in Oregon conducting impactful clinical or translational research involving direct human relevance.
Funder: Medical Research Foundation of Oregon
Due Dates: December 15, 2026 (Full application) | December 22, 2026 (Reference letters) | April 15, 2027 (Full application) | April 22, 2027 (Reference letters) | August 15, 2027 (Full application) | August 22, 2027 (Reference letters)
Funding Amounts: Up to $30,000 per award, one-year duration, three cycles annually.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral trainees in Oregon conducting clinical or translational research with direct human relevance.
Key Information: Application requires separate mentor and Department Chair reference letters due one week after the application deadline.
Description
The Early Clinical Investigator (ECI) Awards are designed to support postdoctoral trainees and fellows in Oregon who are pursuing careers in clinical or clinical/translational research. The program funds projects involving direct interaction with human subjects or research on human-derived materials (e.g., tissues, specimens, clinical, cognitive, or behavioral data). The emphasis is on projects with strong potential for near-term clinical impact. Research using animal models is considered only with clear and immediate relevance to human health, and such applications must be carefully justified.
The awards aim to foster the growth of early-career investigators, helping them progress toward independent research careers in clinical and translational science.
