Progress and Financial Reporting

Career Awards in the Biomedical Sciences (CABS)

Annual Progress Report Guidelines

Career Awards in the Biomedical Sciences (CABS) annual progress and financial reports cover the period September 1 through August 31 and are due by November 1. A letter from your sponsor, or the Sponsor’s Annual Letter of Evaluation abbreviated form (on-line form provided), is part of the progress report and is due by the same date. Failure to submit any portion of the report by the due date will result in an interruption or cancellation of your funds. To assist you with the successful completion of your Progress Report, see our “Tips for Completing Progress Reports.”

No-cost extensions allow awardees to carry over unused funds beyond the original end date of the award through tenure review. Progress and financial reports are required during the no-cost extension. The same standards required during the award for progress and financial reports apply to the no-cost extension period. Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) will request a return of all no-cost extension funds if progress report requirements and deadlines are not met.

Please assure that your report is received by November 1, since late reports inconvenience advisory committee reviewers.

Please format your report as follows:

Submit the completed Cover Page (BWF on-line form provided) with your Progress Report
Provide the Sponsor’s Annual Letter of Evaluation (BWF on-line form provided)
Submit the completed Award Outcomes Form (BWF on-line form provided). Note: Awardees in no-cost extensions are not required to complete the Award Outcomes Form.
Submit one original and two single-spaced and double-sided copies on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper, using 12-point font size
Number each subsection separately
Collate all sections so that the original and the additional copies contain all necessary materials
Fasten each report with one binder clip or one rubber band
Do not use: staples, paper clips, folders, colored paper, or non-BWF cover sheets
The written text of the Progress Report must not exceed three (3) typewritten pages
Submit the completed Financial Report (BWF on-line form provided) - the Financial Report, using BWF’s form, may be submitted under separate cover in hard copy or via email (see instructions below).

Submit the report to:

For delivery by express courier service:
Burroughs Wellcome Fund
CABS Progress Reports
21 T. W. Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Telephone: 919/991-5100

For delivery by U.S. Postal Service:
Burroughs Wellcome Fund
CABS Progress Reports
Post Office Box 13901
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3901

The Progress Report should include the following:

1. Cover Page. The Cover Page may be completed on line. To begin, click on the blank line and begin typing. To advance to the next line, press the keyboard "Tab" key until the form is completely filled out. Be sure to press the return key after the last entry to complete the process. When you are finished, print the file and include it as the cover page for your report.

The Cover Page for your Progress Report should contain the following information:

A. Progress Report period and due date
B. BWF Request ID number for your grant
C. Name of awardee
D. Degree
E. Current academic titles
F. Institution
G. Name of sponsor writing letter of evaluation
H. Project title
I.  Which year of the award this report covers (year 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), or no-cost extension
J.  Which year of the no-cost extension this report covers (year 1, 2, 3, or 4)
K. Your position this year: postdoc, faculty member, or both

2. Biographical sketch. Attach a brief, updated NIH biographical sketch. Only include publications in refereed journals. Indicate the following using the notation described: * = papers published during the term of the award; ** = published papers which are newly published for this reporting period; A= papers accepted for publication and S = papers submitted for publication.

3. Abstract. Provide a brief summary of your research that can be understood by a multidisciplinary audience

4. Specific aims. Provide a brief summary of the original goals of the proposal.

5. Studies and results. Describe progress which has been made toward the original aims, and any changes from the original research plan. BWF recognizes that research will evolve from the original plan over the course of the award.

6. Significance. Provide a brief statement of the significance of the award.

7. Research plan. Provide a research plan for the forthcoming year.

8. Mentoring, institutional environment, and career development. Describe how your sponsor and institution contributed to your research aims and development as a scientist, and any career development plans not described in 9A below. For awardees in no-cost extensions, please describe your progress toward tenure.

9. Other activities and award administration:

A. If you are obtaining a faculty appointment, describe whether the position is tenure track and the institution’s level of commitment to you (e.g., salary, laboratory start-up funds, and ancillary support).

B. Provide the requested information on your research and other professional activities on the Award Outcomes Form (BWF on-line form provided). Note: Awardees in no-cost extensions are not required to complete the Award Outcomes Form.

C. List national or international (do not use single letter abbreviations) meetings attended at which you presented a paper, poster, or participated in another invited function and indicate the activity.

D. Because the Burroughs Wellcome Fund is committed to the career development of scientists early in their careers, effective July 1, 1999, BWF implemented a policy whereby all postdoctoral fellows or trainees who are fully or partially supported by funds from your award must be given adequate salary and benefit support. In addition, a mentoring and a career plan must be in place for each fellow or trainee supported fully or partially by BWF funds. At minimum, benefits should include a health plan. When graduate students are supported by this award, a training and professional development plan must be in place. Postdoctoral support must meet or exceed the National Research Service Award (NIH) scale appropriate to the trainee’s level.
List the name and degree of each postdoctoral fellow or trainee supported by funds from your BWF award and indicate their annual (12-month) salary. By listing these individuals, you certify that an appropriate salary, training, and professional development plan is in place.

E. Comment on the Fund’s award management and give any suggestions to improve the award structure. (Optional)

10. Final year essay. Write a brief, informal paragraph describing your highest accomplishments during your period as a Career Awardee. This essay is due during your final year of active funding under the award and before the no-cost extension.

11. Letter of evaluation from sponsor or chairperson. It is your responsibility to have your sponsor write a letter summarizing your research and career growth during the period, or use the Sponsor’s Annual Letter of Evaluation abbreviated form (BWF on-line form provided) in place of the letter. The letter is due by the same date as the Progress Report and may be attached, faxed, or sent under separate cover. For awardees in no-cost extensions, your sponsor or department chair should describe your progress toward tenure.

12. Attach publications: Attach three copies of any articles published or manuscripts prepared during the reporting period and indicate whether they are submitted or accepted.

13. Financial Report: The CABS Annual Financial Report should be completed on line by the institutional officer. The report should contain the typed name of both the awardee and the institutional officer completing the report. The report may be submitted under separate cover either in paper or by email. Provide one (1) hard copy to the Burroughs Wellcome Fund or email the report as a PDF file, to cabs.progress@bwfund.org.

Please note the following when completing the Financial Report:

To fill out the form, click on the blank line and begin typing. To advance to the next line, press the keyboard "Tab" key until the form is completely filled out. Be sure to press the return key after the last entry to complete the process. When you are finished, print the form.

The subtotal fields in both columns will automatically calculate as you enter the relevant numerical data. The subtotal fields are "Total Funds Available," "Total Expenditures," and "Balance." The "Balance" amount should be the same in both columns (Current Reporting Period and Cumulative to Date).