Gerber Foundation Research Grants

Gerber Foundation Research Grants is a competitive grant program from The Gerber Foundation that funds original scientific research aimed at improving the nutrition, care, and development of infants and young children from one year before birth through age three. The foundation prioritizes practical, innovative projects that address everyday problems faced by care providers and can be rapidly translated into clinical practice.

Priority areas include new diagnostic tools, novel treatment regimens, and risk assessment instruments for environmental hazards or developmental trauma. Awards of up to $350,000 support 501(c)(3) organizations and public governmental institutions, including universities, operating primarily in the United States. Individual applicants are not eligible.

The application deadline is May 15, 2025.

Research Grants - The Gerber Foundation Research Grant Focus Areas The Foundation’s mission focuses on infants and young children. Accordingly, priority is given to projects that improve the nutrition, care and development of infants and young children from the first year before birth to three years of age.

The Foundation is particularly interested in fresh approaches to solving common, everyday problems or emerging issues within our defined focus area. Projects should focus on issues faced by care providers that, when implemented, will improve the health, nutrition and/or developmental outcomes for infants and young children.

The board is particularly looking for practical solutions that can be easily and rapidly implemented on a broad scale with a predictable time frame to clinical application. Note that the Foundation is looking for projects that will result in ‘new’ information, treatments or tools that will result in a change in practice.

The board rarely funds projects that are focused on sharing current information with parents or caregivers (parent or provider educational programs).

New diagnostic tools that may be more rapid, more specific, more sensitive, less invasive New treatment regimens that are improved or novel, less stressful or painful, more targeted, have fewer side effects, provide optimal dosing Assessment of deficiencies or excesses (vitamins, minerals, drugs, etc.) Risk assessment tools or measures for environmental hazards, trauma, etc. Applying for a Research Grant Organizations recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) are eligible to apply for Foundation grants.

Public governmental institutions such as universities are included in this definition. Organizations must also be determined not to be private foundations under Internal Revenue Code 509. No grants are made to individuals.

With few exceptions, only organizations with principal operations in the United States and its territories are eligible for funding. See the FAQ above for grant specifics and limitations. All applications must be completed through our online system.

Success Rates: The Foundation generally receives approximately 130 concept papers for each concept paper deadline. Depending on funding availability and the mix of requests, 10-12 of these are selected for full proposal submission. For full proposals, the selection rate for funding averages 50-70%.

THE GERBER FOUNDATION WILL HOLD ONLY ONE 2026 PEDIATRIC MAJOR | NOVICE RESEARCH GRANT CYCLE Attention Researchers: Are you thinking about submitting a pediatric research application and want to learn more about the application process?

The Foundation is hosting two 30-minute Zoom webinars to guide you through the application process for our latest grant cycle: The first webinar will be held on Monday, January 19, at 12:00 pm (noon) Eastern Time The second webinar will be held on Thursday, January 22, at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. To register, click on the date you want to attend (below) and complete the registration form.

A unique Zoom link will be emailed to you upon successful registration.

Monday, January 19, at 12:00 pm (noon) ET Thursday, January 22, at 3:00 pm ET 2026 Pediatric Major and Novice Research Grant Application Opened: November 15, 2025 Concept Papers Due: February 2, 2026, 4 pm ET Selection Notification: Early May 2026 Full Proposals Due: July 15, 2026, 4 pm ET Selection Notification: Late November 2026 The 2027 Pediatric Major and Novice Research Grant Announcement Pending Release Selection Notification: TBD Selection Notification: TBD 1.

Submit a Concept Paper The concept paper provides a brief summary of the project, enabling the Foundation to assess how well the proposed research fits with the Foundation’s interests. Papers will be evaluated to determine the relevance of the proposed project to the Foundation’s programs and to provide advice when submitting a full proposal. The concept paper does NOT include scientific references, biosketches, or CV’s.

The concept paper should be written in lay terms. NOTE: The maximum grant amount is INCLUSIVE of indirects. The concept paper provides a brief summary of the project, enabling the Foundation to assess how well the proposed research fits with the Foundation’s interests.

Papers will be evaluated to determine the relevance of the proposed project to the Foundation’s programs and to provide advice when submitting a full proposal. Concept Paper format and application field instructions [PDF] “Invitations” instruction sheet [PDF] 2. Submit a Full Proposal If the concept paper is accepted, continue with submission of the full proposal using the online application tool.

The Full Proposal provides an in depth description of the project, enabling the Foundation to assess the scientific merit and quality of the research. Both lay and medical professionals will review the proposal. Medical jargon should be limited, where feasible.

NOTE: The maximum grant amount is INCLUSIVE of indirects. Information required in the full proposal [PDF] “Invitations” instruction sheet [PDF] The Principal Investigator (i.e., the applicant) on the application is notified of project approval or denial via email from the application system. Only proposals that are recommended for funding by the review committee will be considered by the Foundation Board.

Recommendations are based on the evaluations of committee members and external expert review. These reviews ensure that proposals considered for funding meet the high standards of quality and effective research sought by the Foundation. If approved, the project start date will be the later of the IRB approval date or the finalized grant agreement date.

Researchers may contact the Foundation at any time during the application process for assistance or guidance with their submission. 4747 West 48th Street Suite 153 Fremont MI 49412 Email: tgf@gerberfoundation. org The major research awards are for experienced Principal Investigators and are limited to no more than $350,000 in total (inclusive of indirects).

Research projects may be no longer than 3 years in length. Budget Guidelines for Major Research Awards The base salary is capped at the current NIH salary cap level. In addition, PI and Co-PI time supported on the grant is limited to no more than 30%.

The in-direct costs for all research grants are limited to no more than 10% (included in the total amount). In-directs applied to a subcontract may not be duplicated on the full grant. Applications for Novice grants follow the same process as major grants and are limited to no more than $30,000 in total (inclusive of indirects).

They are identified by the amount requested in the application.

Eligible applicants include physicians, PhD candidates, PharmD candidates, and other similar degree candidates In a residency, postdoctoral, or fellowship training program or those who are no more than one year post training Have not received a K01 award from the National Institutes of Health Have an assigned mentor for the project and a current development plan Applicants who hold or have received a K01 award from the National Institutes of Health are not eligible to apply to the Gerber Foundation under this program.

Projects need to be under the guidance of a mentor. The qualifications and experience of the mentor will be a consideration during evaluation of the application. Budget Guidelines for Novice Research Grant Eligible applicants include physicians, PhD candidates, PharmD candidates, and other similar degree candidates A maximum of $30,000 (inclusive of indirects) per project will be awarded under the Novice Researcher Award program.

Indirect costs are limited to no more than 10% of the total direct costs. No more than ½ of the total budget may be applied to salary for the developing researcher (including fringe benefits). The remainder of the funds are to be used for research-related expenses, including supplies.

The cost of attendance at one conference to report findings resulting from the project is allowed during the grant period. Travel costs for this conference may not exceed $2,000. Frequently Asked Questions Do you fund basic science research?

Laboratory studies are funded occasionally. However, we expect that the basic science is a preliminary step required to support a clinical trial and that a clinical study will follow shortly after the funded project is completed. Do you fund projects in which the research will be conducted outside of the United States?

The researcher must be U.S. based. Projects taking place outside of the U.S. may be funded on occasion and at the discretion of the Trustees. The case must be made for conducting the research outside of the United States.

Results must provide a benefit to children in the United States. Who reviews full proposals? Proposals are initially reviewed by a subcommittee assigned to that project.

Expert reviewers are utilized during this initial review as needed. Proposals of high quality are then reviewed by the full board. Wherever possible, the proposal should be geared toward the lay reader.

How many grants are awarded each year? The number of grants awarded depends on the overall size of projects selected. Generally 10-15 are selected each year for approval.

The approval rate for each grant cycle is 50-70%. Are there limitations to the amount of salary support provided by a grant? Yes, the base salary is capped at the current NIH salary cap level.

In addition, PI and Co-PI time supported on the grant is limited to no more than 30% Do you claim Intellectual Property rights? We do not lay claim to any IP rights in the research we fund. Do you require participation in open science initiatives?

While we applaud and encourage these activities, we currently do not require them. We do encourage the researcher to preregister the project, share data, and publish in an open source journal. How is The Gerber Foundation related to Gerber Products Company?

The Gerber Foundation is not related to Gerber Products Company in any way. The Foundation is a private, independent foundation. Can our organization submit more than one concept paper at a time?

Yes. Organizations may submit as many concept papers at a time as they wish. Selection of concept papers are based upon the overall quality of the research and a determination of best fit with the Foundation’s goals.

Only one concept paper per PI will be considered during any given cycle. Concept papers are due in accordance with the application announcement posted on the Pediatric Research > Research Grants> HOW TO APPLY Tab. Who reviews concept papers?

Concept papers are reviewed by a subcommittee of the board. This subcommittee includes lay as well as medical professionals. How soon after submitting a concept paper will I hear if I have been selected to submit a full proposal?

You should expect to receive word on the outcome of the review in accordance with the application announcement posted on the Pediatric Research> Research Grants> HOW TO APPLY Tab. If I am selected to submit a full application proposal, when will the full proposal be due? Full proposals are due in accordance with the application announcement posted on the Pediatric Research> Research Grants> HOW TO APPLY Tab.

Can I add my grant team members to the application to assist in completing the concept paper and full proposal? Yes. Only the Principal Investigator (the applicant) can invite team members using the application’s “Invitations” feature.

See the invitation instruction sheet on the “How to Apply” page. Are there any size and duration limitations to grants? Awards and time periods vary depending upon the specific project.

Research projects may be no longer than 3 years in length. Total grant size should be no more than $350,000. What is your allowable F&A or in-directs on a grant?

The in-direct costs for all research grants are limited to no more than 10% (included in the total amount). In-directs applied to a subcontract may not be duplicated on the full grant. 4747 West 48th Street, Suite 153