A generous bequest from the Clarence C. and Sarah T. Butler Charitable Trust has made it possible to establish a new award for MD or MD/PhD junior faculty members within Duke School of Medicine.
The Butler Pioneer Award will support promising physician-scientists who propose pioneering, creative ideas directed at addressing problems of major biomedical or behavioral science importance. This one-time award of $100,000 will fund the recipient’s research in any way he/she sees fit, including research supplies, equipment, personnel support or salary support for protected research time. Proposals will be evaluated based on the qualifications of the applicant, and the creativity and potential impact of the proposed research.
To apply for this award, describe in three pages or less your innovative idea(s) for addressing a biomedical or behavioral science problem of importance, as well as the professional training, background, and key collaborations (if applicable) that will enable you to accomplish this work. Do not provide a detailed scientific plan; the proposal should provide a high level overview of the importance, context and feasibility of the work. Specific elements to be addressed in the three page proposal include:
Project description: Define the scientific problem and explain its biomedical importance. Describe any high risk/high impact approaches you might take to address the problem and explain how this might advance the field. Your description should be accessible to the diverse group of basic, translational, and clinical scientists who will comprise the internal review panel.
Evidence of your potential for innovative research: Describe the background and training you have received that support your ability to do innovative work. Explain how this funding will enable you to advance your research in a way that would otherwise not be possible.
Provide two letters of reference from current or previous mentors that address your promise for a successful career in basic, translational, clinical or population research.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Instructors or Assistant Professors appointed in the School of Medicine with an MD degree or the equivalent. This includes individuals who hold both MD and PhD degrees.
Applications will be judged by an internal faculty panel. Please submit applications as a pdf to Anne Meska (Anne.Meska@duke.edu) by July 20. Confidential recommendation letters should be forwarded electronically to Anne Meska with subject line “Reference for YOUR NAME, Butler Pioneer Award” by the July 20 deadline. We anticipate that several awards will be given in FY14.