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. The Foundation conducts two (2) grant rounds each year.
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%.
Fall Grant Round
Concept Papers: Due May 15, 4pm ET
Selection Notification: Mid June
Full Proposals Due: Aug 15, 4pm ET
Selection Notification: Late Nov
Spring Grant Round
Concept Papers Due: Nov 15, 4pm ET
Selection Notification: Mid Dec
Full Proposal Due: Feb 15, 4pm ET
Selection Notification: Late May
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.
Concept papers are due May 15 and November 15 of each year. Determination of interest is generally made by the end of June and December. 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. (Please use lay terminology).
NOTE: The maximum grant amount is INCLUSIVE of indirects.
3. Funding Decision
The primary contact 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, project start dates may fall as early as July 1 or January 1 (Start dates are dependent on finalization of the grant agreement and IRB approvals at the institution.)
Additional Information
Researchers may contact the Foundation at any time during the application process for assistance or guidance with their submission.
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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
Do you fund basic science research?
Do you fund projects in which the research will be conducted outside of the United States?
Who reviews full proposals?
How many grants are awarded each year?
Are there limitations to the amount of salary support provided by a grant?
Do you claim Intellectual Property rights?
Do you require participation in open science initiatives?
How is The Gerber Foundation related to Gerber Products Company?
Can our organization submit more than one concept paper at a time?
What are your deadlines?
Who reviews concept papers?
How soon after submitting a concept paper will I hear if I have been selected to submit a full proposal?
If I am selected to submit a full application proposal, when will the full proposal be due?
Can I add my grant team members to the application to assist in completing the concept paper and full proposal?
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.