Research Grants

Research Grants

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).

Target Outcomes

  • 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
  • Symptom relief
  • Preventative measures
  • 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%.

SPRING GRANT ROUND IS NOVICE ONLY: CONCEPT PAPERS DUE NOV 15, 2025

Attention Researchers: The Gerber Foundation is restructuring our grantmaking calendar. Therefore, in the Spring Grant Round, we will only accept NOVICE concept papers. 

Coming soon….the Gerber Foundation 2026 Pediatric Major and Novice Research Grant application will open on November 15, 2025, with concept papers due February 2, 2026.

2026 Pediatric Major and Novice Research Grant

Application opens: Nov 15, 2025

Concept Papers Due:  Feb 2, 4 pm ET
Selection Notification: Early May
Full Proposals Due: July 15, 4 pm ET
Selection Notification: Late Nov 

Apply Online

Spring Grant Round - NOVICE ONLY

Concept Papers Due: Nov 15, 4pm ET
Selection Notification: Mid Dec
Full Proposal Due: Feb 15, 4pm ET
Selection Notification: Late May

Apply Online

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.

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.

3. Funding Decision

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.

Additional Information

Researchers may contact the Foundation at any time during the application process for assistance or guidance with their submission.

  • The Gerber Foundation
    4747 West 48th Street Suite 153 Fremont MI 49412
    Phone: (231) 924-3175
    Email: tgf@gerberfoundation.org

Major Research Awards

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.

Novice Research Awards

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.

Novice Eligibility
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

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.
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.
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.
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%.
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%
We do not lay claim to any IP rights in the research we fund.
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.
The Gerber Foundation is not related to Gerber Products Company in any way. The Foundation is a private, independent foundation.
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.

Concept papers are reviewed by a subcommittee of the board. This subcommittee includes lay as well as medical professionals.

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.

Full proposals are due in accordance with the application announcement posted on the Pediatric Research> Research Grants> HOW TO APPLY Tab.

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.

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.

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.

Recent Awards:

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