Searle Scholars Program 2027
| To: | Chairs and Administrators; Associate Deans for Research; College/School Research Administrators |
| From: | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research |
| Date: | June 09, 2026 |
| Subject: | Searle Scholars Program 2027 |
Deadline
| Deadline for Internal Review: | July 08, 2026 |
Project Description
The Searle Scholars Program makes grants to selected academic and research institutions to support the independent research of outstanding early-career scientists who have recently been appointed as assistant professors on a tenure-track appointment. The Searle Scholars Program supports high risk, high reward research across a broad range of scientific disciplines.
Amount per Award: $450,000
Duration of Award: 3 Years
Number of Awards: 15 new awards annually
Eligibility
The Searle Scholars Program Scientific Advisory Board is primarily interested in the potential of applicants to make innovative and high-impact contributions to research over an extended period of time.
Applicants for the 2027 competition (awards which will be activated on July 1, 2027) are expected to be pursuing independent research careers in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related areas in chemistry, medicine, and the biological sciences.
Applicants should have begun their appointment as an independent investigator at the assistant professor level on or after May 1, 2025. The appointment must be their first tenure-track position (or its nearest equivalent).
The Searle Scholars Program does not ordinarily support purely clinical research but has supported research programs that include both clinical and basic components. Potential applicants who are unsure if their research is appropriate for the Program are encouraged to examine the research interests of present and former Searle Scholars on the website.
Applicants who were nominated for awards in the previous competition year but were not awarded may still meet the eligibility criteria for the current competition.
Please note: Each department may submit materials for one researcher to the Searle Scholars Program 2027 internal competition. Applications must be submitted to OVCR through the researcher’s home department.
UW–Madison may nominate 2 candidates.
Website
The following link contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions:
https://searlescholars.org/
Internal Competition Application Instructions
Applications for Internal Review
To submit your application, attach a single PDF to an email to grants@research.wisc.edu. Please include the following:
- Cover page with name, title, contact information, appointment start date, and title of the project. Please include a statement indicating that your department chair has reviewed and approved your application and has selected you as the department’s sole nominee for this internal competition.
- CV
- Research project summary of no more than 4 pages providing a description of how the proposed project meets the goals of the solicitation
Sponsor Deadlines
Applications are due to Searle Scholars Program by September 30, 2026.
Questions?
Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.