March of Dimes Research Grants (Pediatric Scientist Development Program, Reproductive Scientist Development Program, Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award, Discovery Grants)

March of Dimes Research Grants (Pediatric Scientist Development Program, Reproductive Scientist Development Program, Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award, Discovery Grants) is sponsored by March of Dimes. March of Dimes offers four research grant mechanisms that increase in seniority and experience, supporting in-training investigators (PSDP, RSDP), early career investigators (Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award), and established career scientists (Discovery Grants).

Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards | March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards Supporting outstanding researchers who are embarking on or continuing their independent research careers. Named in honor of the first March of Dimes Chairman and President, the Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award is comprised of a $150,000 grant over a two-year period.

It prioritizes investigators proposing to conduct impactful research studies that will advance our translational understanding of, or lead to improved clinical treatment of, serious medical conditions that affect the health of a woman’s pregnancy or the health of moms and newborns in the first year postpartum.

Recipients are conducting concerted translational research in line with their personal and professional interests that will one day grow into a body of distinguished work that sheds light on the U.S. maternal and infant health crisis. Reflective of our mission, applications should focus on preterm birth and health equity.

They should clearly outline a path from discovery to functional studies to clinical translation, with the eventual goal to cure or greatly mitigate conditions that adversely impact the health of pregnant women and newborns. Award amount: $150,000 over two years Areas of research: Serious medical conditions that affect the health of a woman’s pregnancy and/or moms and newborns within the first year postpartum.

Open to: Applicants, who at award date, are four to nine years past the last year of, in the case of MD or MD/PhD, clinical training required for medical specialty board certification or, in the case of PhD scientists, completion of their terminal degree. MD/PhD applicants must hold a full-time tenure-track faculty position (or equivalent) at their current U. S.

based institution. PhD applicants must have either primary or secondary appointments in clinical departments related to maternal or child health. Those who have previously received a Basil O’Connor Award are not eligible.

Note: The current cycle is closed Application portal opens: February 27, 2026 Application portal closes: May 29, 2026 Notification of awards: Planned mid-September 2026 Award start date: October 1, 2026 Award end date: September 30, 2028 The Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award is intended to be an early-career grant to investigators who are embarking on an independent research career. Eligibility is thus restricted.

Please consider: At award date, MD or MD/PhD applicants should be four to nine years past the last year of clinical training required for medical specialty board certification and must hold a full-time tenure-track faculty position (or equivalent) at their current U.S. based institution. At award date, PhD scientists should be four to nine years past completion of their terminal degree.

They must have either primary or secondary appointments in clinical departments related to maternal or child health. Applicants who have transition faculty-mentored awards (e.g. K99/R00) are welcome if they still have one year of the mentored portion. If not, application should be deferred.

K12 and K08 grantees are encouraged to apply. Candidates may not simultaneously hold a grant for any other March of Dimes research program. Applicants may not have total grant support exceeding $200,000 per year before the Basil O'Connor Award start date (e.g. R01).

Those who have previously received a Basil O’Connor Award are not eligible. Requests for exceptions to the four-to-nine-year eligibility window (e.g., extensions due to parental leave or other qualifying circumstances) may be submitted to the Research Grants Department at [email protected] . The entire application must be completed online at https://modresearchgrants.

aibs-scores. org . Each application should be accompanied by a letter of nomination from the applicant’s chair; please see below for more details.

Applications (templates provided at the application link above) for the proposed research should include the following information in this order: Academic appointment details Animal/human subject use and assurance information Candidate’s biographical sketch Current financial support Pending financial support Consent form (if applicable) Chairs of departments may submit nominations for this award.

Included in the letter of nomination should be: Nominator’s name, academic appointment, mailing address, telephone number, and email address. The nomination letter should be submitted via the online system. As part of the nomination, the letter should vouch for a candidate having an unrestricted faculty position and dedicated lab/clinical research space.

Information provided should explicitly include details concerning the candidate’s faculty appointment, independence, laboratory space (assigned to the candidate), startup package, and access to core facilities. This information will be scrutinized closely. Two (2) letters of recommendation: One letter should be the postdoctoral mentor and the second letter of reference is of the applicant’s choosing.

The academic background and potential of the candidate. Resources available as judged by the nominator’s letter. The proposal: Once completed, it should place the candidate in position to be competitive for a R21 or R01 building on the results of the project.

Clinical relevance to research priorities of March of Dimes as outlined above. Awardee partnership expectations March of Dimes works with a variety of researchers from around the world. Our hope is that our awardees view their time as scholars, grantees, or center partners as mutually beneficial, and with value beyond the monetary consideration.

We expect our awardees to attend key meetings that pertain to their award program, or assign an appropriate delegate if not possible. We expect members of our research centers to collaborate scientifically and collegially with other centers or nonprofit organizations that are identified during the course of the award period.

We expect that our awardees will attend scientific meetings that may be established by March of Dimes and use good faith efforts to help March of Dimes raise funds for future awards through attendance at some events, interviews, or other public-facing opportunities. These efforts are intended to amplify success of our current and future awardees. Please direct any questions to [email protected] .

Making impact with research March of Dimes research is focused on ending preventable preterm birth.

We do this by approaching research in several key ways: at both the bench and bedside — through descriptive research that aims to characterize and understand the factors that lead to preterm birth and other adverse outcomes, and through work that leads to mitigation and prevention of preterm birth; and through therapeutics, diagnostics, and/or policy changes. We know that pregnancy is complex.

Our research approach takes a whole-system view and brings the best talent and minds to bear, so we can make a difference in our lifetime. How we're making a difference: March of Dimes research programs have made discoveries that lead to direct impact on the health of moms, babies, and their families. Prematurity Research Center microbiome studies leading to bedside testing; rapid, low cost predictive testing.

Early detection of preeclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes through several approaches, including cell-free RNA, data analytics, and other diagnostic markers. Understanding maternal-infant nutrition, issues such as necrotizing enterocolitis, and how breastfeeding can improve outcomes. Your support helps us fund research There are several ways to support research at March of Dimes.

Your time — through volunteering at events, raising awareness in your community, and recruiting new and impactful researchers to our network; your attention — by focused attention on how research can impact your community, your country, and the global family; and your resources — by way of funding, access to your network, and getting involved in research directly.

We need your help to continue developing diagnostics, therapeutics, and understanding of the complex factors that lead to preterm birth, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and overall adverse outcomes in pregnancy. Moms, babies, and families can’t wait for you to step up and get involved. Join our amazing volunteer community and make a difference in maternal and infant health across the country.

Advocate for healthy moms and strong babies with March of Dimes. Join our network and make a difference in maternal and infant health. Help save moms and babies nationwide with your donation.

Support lifesaving research, education, and advocacy at March of Dimes.