Young Investigator Award
The Young Investigator Award funds early-career researchers to study the biology and treatment of neurofibromatosis, supporting two years of research into its cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms.
Funder: Children's Tumor Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026: Letter of Intent deadline (Young Investigator Award) (projected)
Funding Amounts: Two years of salary support; maximum base salary: $28,788/year (predoctoral) or $62,232–$75,564/year (postdoctoral, based on experience); up to 20% fringe benefits and 10% indirect costs; supplemental travel allowance up to $5,000.
Summary: Provides early-career researchers in neurofibromatosis with two years of salary support to help launch independent NF research careers.
Key Information: For postdocs within 7 years of doctorate or senior doctoral students; research must be directly relevant to neurofibromatosis.
Description
The Young Investigator Award (YIA) from the Children’s Tumor Foundation is designed to support early-career researchers—specifically senior doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows—seeking to establish themselves in the neurofibromatosis (NF) research field. The award provides two years of salary support, enabling recipients to generate preliminary data and research findings that can help secure larger grants from organizations such as the NIH. The program’s goal is to seed the NF research community with new talent and foster the development of future leaders in NF research and clinical care.
YIA funds research projects that advance the understanding of the cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms underlying neurofibromatosis types 1 and all forms of schwannomatosis, as well as projects focused on novel therapeutic targets, candidate therapeutics, and disease natural history. The award is not intended to cover research expenses—only salary, fringe, and indirect costs.
