Clinical Scientist Awards in Translational Research

Awards are made to institutions on behalf of the award recipients. The institutions are responsible for disbursing the funds and for maintaining adequate supporting records and receipts of expenditures. Indirect costs may not be charged against the awards.

Award recipients must devote at least 75 percent of their time to research-related activities. Institutions must make a commitment in writing through the progress report to honor this requirement.

Award recipients must provide BWF with an annual progress report detailing scientific progress and mentoring activities. Institutions must provide an annual financial report. Both reports must be submitted (on forms provided) within 60 days of the end of each award year. Continued funding will depend on the favorable review of these reports by BWF and its program advisory committee.

Award recipients may obtain funds from other sources for research in the same or similar areas as that conducted under these awards, so long as there is no conflict with meeting the terms of BWF’s award.

No more than $100,000 of the award may be used annually for the award recipient’s salary support. An institution may supplement the award recipient’s salary to a level consistent with its salary scale. There is no limit on use of the award for salary support for other laboratory or clinical personnel working with the award recipient.

At least $50,000 of the award must be allocated annually to research expenses. Research support, which is under the control of the award recipient, may be used flexibly for items such as consumable supplies, equipment, travel to scientific meetings, and laboratory personnel working with the award recipient. Prior approval by BWF is required when, within an award year, purchases of equipment will exceed $20,000 or travel costs exceed $6,000.

During the award period, unused research funds may be carried over to the succeeding year. Any unused funds held by institutions when awards expire or are terminated must be returned to BWF, unless BWF has granted prior permission to retain the funds. Award recipients may receive a no-cost extension of up to 24 months; requests explaining why an extension is needed must be submitted in writing at least four months prior to the end of the award.

Awards may be transferred to another institution only with the written approval of BWF. Requests explaining why a transfer is needed must be submitted by the award recipient in writing.

Award recipients who want to take a sabbatical year in order to acquire new research skills must submit to BWF a written request that includes appropriate justification.

Scientific publications or presentations that result from these awards must acknowledge the award recipient’s receipt of a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Research. Copies of journal articles and other publications should be sent to BWF along with the annual progress report.

Award recipients should follow their institutions’ patent, copyright, intellectual property, and conflict of interest policies regarding discoveries that result from research conducted under these awards. Award recipients are expected to adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations regarding the participation of human subjects, and the use of animals, radioactive or hazardous materials, and recombinant DNA in their research projects. BWF expects the appropriate federal, state, and local guidelines with regard to scientific misconduct are in place and enforced at all institutions with which BWF award recipients are affiliated.

Award recipients should share scientific findings in a timely manner via the standard means of scientific communication, including publications and/or presentations in scientific forums. BWF will not retain any rights to published results or patents that result from the research.