Research Grants

Research Grants

Advancing Research - Developing Leaders - Improving Child Health

Research Grant Program Overview

The Gerber Foundation supports innovative pediatric research that improves the health and well-being of infants and children. Through its research programs, the Foundation invests in scientific discovery, clinical advancement, and the development of future leaders in child health research.

The Foundation recognizes that meaningful impact extends beyond individual studies. Research funding can launch careers, foster collaboration, advance clinical practice, and ultimately improve outcomes for children and families.

The Gerber Foundation offers two research award programs:

  • Emerging Investigator Award
  • Pediatric Research Award  


Together, these programs support investigators across the research career continuum while maintaining a special commitment to developing the next generation of child health researchers.

Research Grant Focus Areas

Pediatric Health - Pediatric Nutrition - Environmental Hazards

The Foundation’s mission focuses on infants and children. Accordingly, priority is given to projects that improve the nutrition, care, and development of infants and children from pre-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 areas. 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.

Learn More About our focus areas

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

  • Improved diagnostic tools and approaches that are faster, more accurate, less invasive, or more clinically useful.
  • New or improved treatments and interventions that are more effective, targeted, appropriately dosed, less painful or stressful, or associated with fewer adverse effects.
  • Improved symptom management and quality of care for infants and young children.
  • Prevention and early intervention strategies that reduce the risk, incidence, or severity of illness or adverse outcomes.
  • Improved assessment of nutritional, metabolic, or medication-related needs, including deficiencies, excesses, and optimal dosing.
  • Better identification and assessment of risk, including clinical, environmental, developmental, or other factors affecting infant and child health.
  • Evidence that informs clinical practice, including approaches that improve care delivery, decision making, or implementation of effective interventions.

Developing the Next Generation of Child Health Researchers

The Gerber Foundation believes that impactful research extends beyond scientific
discovery. We value projects that contribute to the development of the
pediatric research workforce through mentorship, collaboration, leadership, and
meaningful research experiences.

As part of the application, investigators are encouraged to describe how the proposed project will support career development – whether by advancing their own research trajectory or by providing mentorship, training, and leadership opportunities for students, trainees, junior investigators, or other members of the research team.

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 typically invites 10% of concept paper applicants to submit full proposals, ultimately funding between 35-50% of those full application submissions.

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 is Closed

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

Apply Online

The 2027 Pediatric Major and Novice Research Grant

Announcement Pending Release

Concept Papers Due: TBD
Selection Notification: TBD
Full Proposal Due: TBD
Selection Notification: TBD

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%.

For all research grants, the Gerber Foundation uses a standard terms of grant agreement. To ensure fairness, consistency, and administrative efficiency for all grantees, the Foundation does not customize or negotiate individual provisions of the standard terms of grant with grantees.

The Foundation is a Michigan based nonprofit corporation that makes grants across the country. It is impractical and costly for it to negotiate these standard terms on a case-by-case basis. Recognizing that some grantees (notably public universities and institutions) may be subject to legal restrictions in their home states, the Foundation has worked extensively with its legal counsel to draft standard terms of grant that protect the Foundation while recognizing that some grantees may be subject to those legal restrictions.

If you would like to review a copy of the grant agreement, email your request to tgf@gerberfoundation.org.

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.

We do not lay claim to any IP rights in the research we fund. 

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: