Candidate eligibility requirements are set out below.  It might also be helpful to review the selection process to fully understand the selection criteria.

• Proposals must be submitted from degree-granting institutions in the United States or Canada. The principal investigator must have a faculty appointment at a degree-granting institution in the U.S. or Canada.

• Researchers working at research institutes, national laboratories, within the federal government, or outside of North America may be partners or collaborators but all funding must be channeled through the U.S. or Canadian degree-granting institution of the principal investigator.

• Proposals should address the biomedical causes and mechanisms underlying (preterm) parturition including but not limited to peri-implantational events, placentation, fetal determinants, fetal-maternal immune responses, biological basis for racial-ethnic disparities, mechanisms relating preterm birth to other adverse pregnancy outcomes, biology of normal labor, etc. Proposals seeking to identify biomarkers predicting preterm birth are welcome.

• Proposals must have an interdisciplinary approach.

• One member of the team must have training and expertise outside the traditional areas of reproductive science.

• Proposals that cross institutional boundaries (partnerships between multiple universities or collaborations within larger universities) are encouraged.

For additional information regarding permitted use of funds, see Terms of Grant.

Questions regarding candidate eligibility should be directed in advance to BWF by contacting Rolly Simpson, Sr. Program Officer, (919) 991-5110, or Debra Holmes, Sr. Program Associate, (919) 991-5134.