How do I determine if I am eligible to submit a full application?  

Invited applicants will be notified by February 28, 2013 to submit their full applications by April 3, 2013. Only those invited to submit an application will be able to access or submit the application materials. Candidates whose preproposals were not selected may reapply in the next award cycle, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements.

Do I need to be nominated by my institution to submit a preproposal?

No. Eligible candidates may self-nominate by submitting a preproposal by the preproposal deadline. 

Do I need to be nominated by my institution to submit a full application?

You do not need to be nominated, but you do need to obtain approval from your institution. All full applications must be approved by an official responsible for sponsored programs at the institution where the work will be performed (generally from the institution’s grants and contracts office, office of research, or sponsored programs office). Institutional approval is indicated by including a completed, signed Institutional Certification Form (ICF) as the final page of the combined PDF file attached to your application.

Can I contact BWF to determine my eligibility?

It is the responsibility of applicants to read the published guidelines and FAQs to determine eligibility.  The FAQs are updated regularly in response to questions received.  BWF staff will do their best to respond to every inquiry, but will prioritize those questions that are not already clearly addressed in the published guidelines. Please do not contact BWF to ask if we can make an exception to clearly stated guidelines. 

I do not have a tenure-track position. Am I eligible for this award?

Possibly, as long as you hold a faculty appointment, or adjunct faculty appointment, at an accredited, degree-granting institution in the U.S. or Canada. It does not need to be a tenure-track position.

I’m currently a postdoc. Am I eligible for this award?

No. 

I am in the process of applying for permanent residency in the United States. Am I eligible for this award?

No. Eligible candidates must have their “green card” in hand or their current passport stamped with a red I-551 stamp.

I have applied for permanent residency in the United States but have not received my “Green Card”. Am I eligible for this award?

Only if your current passport is stamped with a red I-551 stamp are you eligible for this award.

I’m a U.S. temporary resident. Am I eligible for the award?

No.

I’m a temporary resident of Canada. Am I eligible to apply?

No.

The eligibility requirements mention that the primary investigator must be based at a non-profit institution [501(c)(3) or equivalent] in the U.S. or Canada. What is a 501(c)(3)?

According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, a 501(c)(3) organization is an American tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. Almost all degree-granting institutions are classified as such, as are most research institutes. You will need to check with your institutional officials, usually called the grants and contracts office or the sponsored programs office, etc., to confirm your institution’s classification. BWF cannot make this determination for you.

I’m at an independent research institute. Am I eligible for this award?

Possibly. You must be based at a non-profit institution [501(c)(3) or equivalent] in the U.S. or Canada, and hold a faculty appointment, or adjunct faculty appointment, at an accredited, degree-granting institution in the U.S. or Canada. If you hold such an appointment and your research institute is a non-profit institution [501(c)(3) or equivalent] in the U.S. or Canada, you are eligible.

Can I submit more than one application?

No

I currently hold a BWF award. Am I eligible for this award?

No.

I’m a past BWF grantee. Am I eligible for this award?

Yes, as long as you meet all the eligibility requirements for the program.