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Funding Resources

There are numerous resources to assist you in finding funding and in writing and submitting applications, from government grants to foundation grants and fellowships, to help you succeed! 

Find standardized text from the University of Pittsburgh that you can customize for your grant application. Log in through Pitt's SSO to access information here.

Trainees as PIs

Guidance from Pitt Research|Office of Sponsored Programs' Tip of the Week 1/23/2026

Pitt Policies

When a trainee or fellow serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on a research proposal, the following items/actions are important to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and successful proposal submission process:

  • The trainee should have an identified faculty mentor for the proposed project.
  • The trainee should work with the department research administrator and be guided to follow the school’s standard process for proposal preparation and submission, including following the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) processes.
  • Department, School, and OSP internal deadlines should be followed.
  • The trainee should have the appropriate access and role in sponsor systems (ex: National Institutes of Health (NIH) require mentors and fellows to have specific roles in eRA Commons).
  • Compliance requirements and training courses should be completed and up to date, as applicable (ex: Conflict of Interest annual disclosure, research security training).

Trainees are welcomed and encouraged to participate in regularly offered OSP trainings to learn more about OSP teams and processes and to sign up for the OSP listserv to receive weekly communications.

Government Funding

There is a complete range of funding opportunities through government agencies for trainees. Find information, resources, guides, and opportunities here.

  • Contact Your Program Officer: Once your specific aims are drafted, they can provide critical feedback on whether your proposed research aligns with their institute's current funding priorities and scientific portfolio.
    How To:
    • Talking to NIH Staff About Your Application and Grant: tips from NIGMS, including an explanation of the difference between a program officer, scientific review officer, and grants management specialist.
    • Better at the Bench outlines who the program officer is, how to find them, and when to contact them.
    • Additional Method:
      • Look up or download the current FOA for the grant you want to apply for (Google "current F32 FOA", for example)
      • Scroll down and click on "Section VII: Agency Contacts"
      • Then click on "Table of IC-Specific Information, Requirements, and Staff Contacts"
      • Scroll down to your institute, and contact the "Scientific Program Contact"
      • Note, there may be a few program contacts available, so pick the division contact that is most applicable to your proposal.
    • Example Email:

       

      Dear Dr. [Program Officer],

      I hope this email finds you well.

      I am a [your position] at the University of Pittsburgh, and I am planning to submit an application for the [insert target date] cycle targeting the [insert funding opportunity number/name, such as PA-xx-xxx]. My project focuses on [insert a one-sentence summary of the big-picture impact or topic].

      I have attached my draft Specific Aims page for your review. Based on your portfolio in [mention their specific program area], I believe this project aligns well with your institute's mission.

      Are you available for a brief 15-minute call sometime during the next two weeks to discuss if this project fits your current funding priorities?

      Thank you for your time and consideration.

      Sincerely,

  • Individual NIH Fellowships: Provides support to promising trainees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels who have potential to become productive and successful independent research investigators.
    NIH Fellowship Resources

    If you are a Pitt trainee in the health sciences and have questions about applying for a fellowship, contact postdoc@hs.pitt.edu.

    NIH Fellowship Opportunities
    Writing Guidance

    F32 Grant Applications

    • Join the F32 Writing Initiative in Canvas, which contains multiple resources, access to writing support, and modules to help you with structuring your writing.
    • Fellowship Review Criteria from the NIH website. Review criteria are scored 1-9:
      Candidate's Preparedness and Potential

      • Discuss the candidate’s preparedness for the proposed research training plan. Consider the context, for example, the candidate’s stage of training and the opportunities available.

      • Assess whether the candidate and sponsor statements as well as the referee letters provide convincing evidence that the candidate possesses qualities (such as scientific understanding, creativity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and drive) that will improve the likelihood of a successful research training outcome.

      • Consider the candidate’s potential to benefit from the fellowship research training plan and to transition to the next career stage in the biomedical research workforce.

      Research Training Plan

      • Assess the rigor and feasibility of the research training project and how completion of the project will contribute to the development of the candidate as a research scientist.

      • Evaluate the goals of the overall research training plan and the extent to which the plan will facilitate the attainment of the goals.

      • Discuss whether the research training plan identifies areas of needed development and contains appropriate, realistic activities and milestones to address those needs.

      • Consider whether the sponsor(s), scientific environment, facilities, and resources are adequate and appropriate for the proposed research training plan.

      Commitment to Candidate

      • Assess whether the sponsor(s) presents a strong mentoring plan appropriate to the needs and goals of the candidate.

      • Evaluate the extent to which the sponsor(s) and organizational commitment is appropriate, sufficient, and in alignment with the candidate’s research training plan.

      • Consider whether the level of commitment provided will contribute to the successful completion of the proposed plan and allow the candidate to advance to a productive career in the biomedical research workforce.

    • How to Apply Application Guide from NIH
    • Reference Letters Guide from NIH and specific instructions for fellowship applicant referees.

    Fellowship Application Writing Assistance

    Requesting an Institutional Letter of Support 

    An institutional letter of support from the director of the Office of Academic Career Development, Health Sciences, can attest to the rich career development resources, programs, and services available to faculty and trainees within the six schools of the health sciences. 

    Email oacd@pitt.edu to request a letter of support at least two weeks in advance of any internal deadlines.

    Grant Writing Resources
    Courses and Online Guides:
    RCR Information

    View archived webinars in our video library and use our searchable resource directory to find more content to help you gain valuable skills, which will position you for the next stage of your training experience on the way to your ideal career.
  • Training Grant Directory: NIH-funded training at the University of Pittsburgh.
  • NIH Career Development (K) Award Resources: The NIH provides support for the career advancement via a series of career development awards, called “K” awards. These awards are an excellent way for a postdoctoral fellow to develop their research program and career in preparation for R01-type awards. 
    A list of resources collected by the OACD to help you write a successful K award application

    If you are a postdoc and have questions about applying for a fellowship or a career development award, contact postdoc@hs.pitt.edu.

    Where to Find Successful Applications
    • Application Repository To Help University Researchers (ARTHUR): The University of Pittsburgh's Office of Research, Health Sciences, maintains the ARTHUR database, which is comprised of successfully funded applications that comply with the current NIH format. Ask your PI to request access to applications you are interested in.
    Requesting an Institutional Letter of Support Regarding Career Development

    Although not required, an institutional letter of support from the director of the Office of Academic Career Development, Health Sciences, can attest to the rich career development resources, programs, and services available to faculty and trainees within the six schools of the health sciences. 

    Email oacd@pitt.edu to request a letter of support at least two weeks in advance of any internal deadlines.

    Grant Writing Resources
    Courses and Online Guides: K Award Grant Writing Sessions:

    Find standardized text from the University of Pittsburgh that you can customize for your grant applications. Log in through Pitt's SSO to access information here.

    Find the Right K for You
    • "K Kiosk": NIH's webpage to help you learn about the complete spectrum of K awards. Determine which one is right for you.
    • Pathway to Independence (K99/R00) Award: Learn about the special K award that facilitates a postdoc's transition to a faculty position.
    RCR Information

    View archived webinars in our video library and use our searchable resource directory to find more content to help you gain valuable skills, which will position you for the next stage of your training experience on the way to your ideal career.
    University of Pittsburgh's Institutional K Awards

    Clinical Scientist Institutional Career Development Program Awards (K12/KL2) prepare newly trained clinicians for independent research careers and facilitate their transition to more advanced individual support mechanisms, e.g., K08 and K23.

    Mechanism

    Project Title

    PI

    K12

    Molecular Basis of Pediatric Disease

    Terence Dermody, MD
    K12 University of Pittsburgh Magee-Women's Research Institute Women's Reproductive Health Research Across the Lifespan (Pitt-MWRI WRHR) Robert Edwards, MD

    K12

    University of Pittsburgh Collaboration in Addiction Training Scholars (PittCATS) Program

    Jane M. Liebschutz, MD, MPH, FACP

    KL2

    Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) Scholars Program

    Doris M. Rubio, PhD

    K12

    ACT Rehab: Advancing Clinical and Translational Research Training in Rehabilitation

    Elizabeth Skidmore, PhD, ORT/L, FAOTA, FACRM

Limited Submissions

Limited Submissions are funding opportunities in which the sponsoring agency restricts the number or type of applications that can be submitted from an institution. All limited submissions, whether an LOI, concept paper, white paper, nomination, or full proposal, must go through the University’s limited submissions process. Failure to follow this procedure may disqualify individual applications and lead to the sponsoring agency rejecting all University submissions. (Pitt Research|Office of Sponsored Programs' Tip of the Week 8/21/2026) More information and resources can be found at the Pitt Research webpage for limited submissions.

NIH Director's Early Independence Award

The NIH Director’s Early Independence Award supports exceptional new scientists in launching independent research careers without completing traditional postdoctoral training.

  • The program is intended for early-stage investigators who have demonstrated exceptional scientific innovation, productivity, vision, and maturity. 
  • Application budgets can request up to $350,000 per year in direct costs, plus any allowed indirect costs, for up to five years.
  • US citizenship is not required. If the PD/PI is not a U.S. citizen, the institution must ensure the visa permit allows them to do the proposed research in the U.S. for the full project period.
  • The PD/PI must complete their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training between May 1, 2025, and September 30, 2027. The PD/PI must not have more than 12 months of postdoctoral training after an earlier, non-terminal doctoral degree for individuals with multiple doctoral degrees.

AT AWARD: You must have a confirmed independent research position at a host institution. This position does not need to be permanent or tenure-track, and it can be completely contingent upon receiving the DP5 award. Institutional Support: The host institution must provide substantial research support and space for your independent program.

Areas of science for this proposal (you can select up to two):

  • Chemical Biology
  • Clinical and Translational Research
  • Infectious Diseases and Immunology
  • Instrumentation and Engineering
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • High-Throughput and Integrative Biology
  • Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Learn more:

Only two applications per institution are allowed. Due to the short deadline, Pitt will be accepting Letters of Interest (LOIs) for one week, after which two applicants will be selected to submit full applications. A commitment on behalf of the applicant to submit a full application, and on the part of the institution to support the applicant, is a required part of the LOI. We strongly encourage potential applicants to review the guidelines of the solicitation for the full application requirements and to confirm eligibility before submitting a pre-application.

Letter of Interest deadline was August 2, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.

Application Requirements

Letter of Interest - Upload as a PDF

  • One-page narrative using the following layout (single-spaced, 11-point font, 0.75-inch margins). Submissions not following the template may be disqualified from the call.
    • Title
    • Summary: Provide a one-two sentence summary of what you are trying to do and why it matters. Please minimize jargon.
    • Intro/Background: Describe the problem you are trying to explore.
      • What is the problem you are trying to solve and why is it important?
      • What is/are the current state of the art and what are the limitations to current approaches?
    • Impact: Describe the impact your project will have within the field, community, and wider audience.
      • If you succeed, what difference will it make?
    • Methods/Approach: Identify and describe the scientific phenomena and/or engineering capability under consideration. Outline your research plan and summarize the methodologies you will be employing. Incorporate the answers to the following questions within your description.
      • What methodologies will you be employing?
      • What is new about your approaches?
      • What are the advantages of your proposed methodologies over existing ones?
  • Reasoning to skip or shorten postdoctoral training
    • Explain why a shorter or skipped postdoc would benefit your long-term career.
    • Explain why you want to begin an independent research career earlier than usual.

Biosketch (five pages max) - Upload as a PDF

Confirm in your LOI application that you’ve spoken with your mentor about applying for this opportunity; and that you have a guaranteed, pending independent research position and would be able to begin independent research by the project start date if you’re selected and receive this award. If selected by the university, you commit to completing and submitting your application to OSP by Sept. 2, 2026.

If Selected

Full applications due to OSP by Sept. 2, 2026, to provide sufficient time for institutional review and processing prior to submission to NIH.

Questions

Contact postdoc@hs.pitt.edu 

Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars Fellowship Award

The Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars program will support individual postdoctoral scientists of exceptional creativity in the field of neuroscience. These transitional awards are to enable a postdoctoral researcher to advance to become a full-time faculty member at the Assistant Professor level or higher and to promote the development of a research program that will lead to independent funding.

The medical school, research institute, or academic hospital appointing the scholar will be awarded $200,000 annually for two years to cover salary, lab costs, and related expenses. Under certain circumstances, the awardee may transfer funding to support their beginning faculty position. Indirect costs of up to 15% of direct costs, may be included in the $200,000. ​

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must have an MD, PhD, or both
  • Must hold a post-doctoral research position at a United States medical school, research institute, or academic institution
  • Must have completed a minimum of 3 years and no more than 6 years of a post-doctoral fellowship by July 1, 2027
  • Research focused in the field of Neuroscience
  • Candidate must be nominated by the Dean of the medical school or equivalent institutional senior leader
  • Must include a nomination letter from your institution
  • Candidate must commit to a minimum of 75% effort
  • Must include 3 letters of recommendation
  • Budgets submitted in NIH G300 format
  • Applicants with a Visa are allowed to be nominated with the stipulation that their Visa status must allow them to complete the award here in the United States

Learn More:

Only one application per institution is allowed. Pitt is currently accepting Letters of Interest (LOIs) until August 28, 2026. If the number of internal applicants exceeds the number of proposals that Pitt may submit to the sponsor agency, applications must undergo a review process. We strongly encourage potential applicants to review the guidelines of the solicitation for the full application requirements and to confirm eligibility before submitting a pre-application.

Internal Letter of Interest deadline: August 28, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.

Pitt OSP deadline for selected applicant: October 26, 2026

To Apply Internally:

Letter of Interest - Upload as a PDF

  • One-page narrative using the following layout (single-spaced, 11-point font, 0.75-inch margins). Submissions not following the template may be disqualified from the call.
    • Title
    • Summary: Provide a one-two sentence summary of what you are trying to do and why it matters. Please minimize jargon.
    • Intro/Background: Describe the problem you are trying to explore.
      • What is the problem you are trying to solve and why is it important?
      • What is/are the current state of the art and what are the limitations to current approaches?
    • Impact: Describe the impact your project will have within the field, community, and wider audience.
      • If you succeed, what difference will it make?
    • Methods/Approach: Identify and describe the scientific phenomena and/or engineering capability under consideration. Outline your research plan and summarize the methodologies you will be employing. Incorporate the answers to the following questions within your description.
      • What methodologies will you be employing?
      • What is new about your approaches?
      • What are the advantages of your proposed methodologies over existing ones?

Biosketch (five pages max) - Upload as a PDF

Letter of Support from your mentor - Upload as a PDF 

If Selected:

If selected by the university, you commit to completing and submitting your full application to the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) by October 26, 2026, to provide sufficient time for institutional review and processing prior to submission to the Warren Alpert Foundation by the November 1, 2026, deadline.

Questions

Contact postdoc@hs.pitt.edu 

Foundations and Other Fellowships

Foundations that have awarded Pitt trainees include:

Here is a more complete list of foundations that provide awards regardless of citizenship status, compiled by Sina Safayi, DVM, PhD, and Philip Clifford, PhD.
The OORHS also has a webpage with a list of foundation grants. Grantmakers.io is a searchable online platform that you can use to find foundation funding, as well.

"Funding Your Research Through Foundation Grants" was a session held at the University of Pittsburgh in January 2024. Watch it for additional tips on how to write your foundation grant applications.

Other Resources

  • Postdoctoral Fellows Planning Tool: This interactive page from the University of Pittsburgh is designed to help trainees in the biomedical sciences find funding opportunities.
  • Funding Resources: Navigate applying for funding with resources from sponsors, support from offices at the University, and more.
  • Find Funding: Explore internal Pitt funding programs alongside tools and resources to help you identify external opportunities. 
  • PIVOT Database: This site allows you to develop a customized list of funding opportunities. Not familiar with PIVOT? Watch the informational PIVOT webinar here.
  • Proposal Resources: This page includes resources for everything you need to develop and refine a strong proposal.
  • Additional Proposal Preparation Resources: Find checklists, writing guides, professional development templates, boilerplate language, and more. 
  • Application Assistance: Includes information on rigor and reproducibility, data management, and more, from the Office of Research, Health Sciences

The Pitt Research Navigator is available to provide personalized customer service to help you more easily connect to the Pitt resources, services, and offices needed to move your research forward. This is a university-wide service that is available to faculty and research-related staff members on any campus, in any school, and for any discipline. The Pitt Research Navigator, Stefanie Coburn, can be reached by email (pittresearchnavigator@pitt.edu) or webform. Stefanie will make every effort to respond to inquiries within one business day.  Visit the Pitt Research Navigator website for more information.