[New York Stem Cell Foundation](https://nyscf.org)

February 17, 2021 | February 16, 2022

Up to $1.5 million over 5 years (no institutional overhead).

Supported early-career neuroscience investigators pursuing innovative, transformative research to advance disease understanding and therapy.

Program is no longer accepting new applications.

--- ## Description The NYSCF – Robertson Neuroscience Investigator Awards, developed in partnership with the Robertson Foundation, recognized and supported highly innovative early-career scientists whose research had the potential to transform the field of neuroscience. This career development award provided substantial, flexible funding to empower investigators to pursue pioneering work in neuroscience, including but not limited to research with stem cells or human-centered approaches. The program aimed to accelerate progress in understanding and treating human disease by enabling emerging leaders to undertake bold, impactful research. --- ## Due Dates - February 17, 2021: Full application submission deadline (5:00 PM Eastern) for 2021 NYSCF – Robertson Neuroscience Investigator Awards - February 16, 2022: Full application submission deadline (5:00 PM Eastern) for 2022 NYSCF – Robertson Neuroscience Investigator Awards **Note:** The program is now sunset and no longer accepts new applications. --- ## Funding Amount - Award: Up to $1.5 million total over 5 years - Funding is flexible and may be used at the investigator’s discretion to advance their research (subject to award terms). - No institutional overhead is provided. --- ## Eligibility Applicants had to meet the following criteria: - Hold an MD, PhD, or DPhil degree. - Be within 6 years of starting a faculty (professorship) or comparable independent research position as of June 1 of the application year (with an extra year of eligibility granted due to COVID-19). - Demonstrate the ability to independently supervise a research team and have a high-impact, innovative publication record. - Be based at an accredited non-profit research or academic institution (domestic or international). - For international applicants, additional confirmation of eligibility and independence was required (e.g., ability to write grants in their own name, supervise a research team, and serve as senior author). - Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) was encouraged and assessed. - Submission of an Institutional Report Card for Gender Equity was required for a complete application. --- ## Application Process - Applications were submitted via an online portal by the stated deadline. - Required components included: - Demographic and administrative information - Vision statement and research plan (not project-specific, but representative of lab’s work) - NIH-format biosketch - Details of other financial support - Compliance documentation (e.g., regulatory approvals if applicable) - Reference letters (including from department chair and two additional referees) - Institutional Report Card for Gender Equity - Statement of DEIB commitment and optional self-identification - All applications had to comply with local regulatory requirements and, if applicable, secure appropriate approvals for research involving human subjects or stem cells. --- ## Additional Information - Awardees joined the NYSCF Innovators Community, gaining access to an international network of early-career scientists and annual scientific events. - There was no limit to the number of times an eligible applicant could apply within their eligibility window, nor to the number of applications from a single institution or department. - The program prioritized research areas that may be underfunded or underrepresented in neuroscience. - The award was intended as a career development grant, not a project-specific grant. - The program has now been sunset and is not accepting new applications. --- ## External Links - [Program Information & Past Awardees](https://www.nyscf.org/programs/extramural-grants/investigator-awards) - [2022 Request for Applications (PDF)](https://www.nyscf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/NYSCF22Neuro_RFA.pdf) - [2021 Request for Applications (PDF)](https://www.nyscf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2021NeuroRFA.pdf) - [Financial Conflict of Interest Policy (PDF)](https://www.nyscf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Policy_2024.10.21_FCOI_Investigators.pdf) - [Institutional Report Card for Gender Equality FAQ](http://www.nyscf.org/programs/extramural-grants/applicants/report-card-faq/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [info@nyscf.org](mailto:info@nyscf.org) | | Neuroscience Investigator Awards| [neuroscienceinvestigators@nyscf.org](mailto:neuroscienceinvestigators@nyscf.org) | | Foundation Phone | +1 212-787-4111 | | Foundation Contact Page | [https://nyscf.org/about/contact/](https://nyscf.org/about/contact/) |

NYSCF – Robertson Investigator Awards

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