TENTATIVE Posting - deadline dates may be updated be
updated once the official call for 2026 applications is released.

The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences
provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science
relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to
selected academic institutions to support the independent research of
outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment
at the assistant professor level.

Based on their performance during their education and
training, candidates should demonstrate outstanding promise as contributors in
science relevant to human health. This program does not fund clinical trials
research. Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and
pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research.
Candidates whose work is based on biomedical principles but who bring in
concepts and theories from more diverse fields are encouraged to apply. Ideas with
the potential to produce an unusually high impact are encouraged.

Eligibility for the 2026 Award

• Candidates must meet all of the following eligibility
  requirements:
• 
  
  Hold a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine, or a
  related field, including engineering or the physical sciences.
• 
  
  As of Sept. 3, 2025, run an independent lab and hold a
  full-time appointment at the rank of assistant professor. (Appointments such as
  research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor
  research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible).
• 
  
  Current appointments such as research assistant
  professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track,
  visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible to apply.
• 
  
  Must not have been appointed as an assistant professor
  and run an independent lab at any institution prior to June 11, 2021, whether
  or not such an appointment was on a tenure track. Time spent in clinical
  internships, residencies, in work toward board certification, or on parental
  leave does not count as part of this four-year limit. Candidates who need an
  exception on the four-year limit should contact Pew’s program office to ensure
  that application reviewers are aware an exception has been given.
• 
  
  Please note that the eligibility criteria above have been
  temporarily expanded to account for COVID-related lab shutdowns. This extension
  will end after this upcoming application cycle. Beginning next year, the
  eligibility window for the 2027 grant will revert to the three-year period.
  Please direct any questions to the program office at scholarsapp@pewtrusts.org.
• 
  
  May apply to the program a maximum of two times. All
  applicants must be nominated by their institution and must complete the 2026
  online application.
• 
  
   If applicants have
  appointments at more than one eligible nominating institution or affiliate,
  they may not reapply in a subsequent year from a different nominating entity.
• May not be nominated for the Pew Scholars Program and the
  Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research in the same year.

  Anticipated
funding: $300,000; $75,000 per year for a four-year period.