Primary Biliary Cholangitis Research Grant Eligibility (US)

Who can Apply

This award is intended for junior faculty who meet the criteria for Early Stage Investigator, as defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Note, those who have received substantial NIH research awards, such as being a PI on an R01, P01, or U01, are not Early Stage Investigators, according to NIH criteria. A list of NIH grants that a PI can hold and still be considered an Early Stage Investigator can be found here.

Please be aware that some entities have their own restrictions against acceptance of the RSP Award, for example the NIH Loan Repayment Program. Please check before preparing your application.

Prior research experience in PBC is not necessary as long as the applicant meets the requirements below.

Inclusion Criteria

Hold an MD or PhD (or equivalent degree) at the time of application submission.
Received your initital faculty appointment within the last 7 years in association with a research institution in the US at time of application
Have a research mentor with extensive experience in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (co-mentorship is accepted)
Have insitutional support that demonstrates you can devote 30% of professional time to research in general (versus administrative, patient care, or teaching responsibilities)
Demonstrate a strong career interest in PBC and Hepatology research
Be able to complete the research within the 2-year award period, providing evidence (manuscript, presentation, or abstracts) for future research projects

EXCLUSION Criteria

Research solely investigating Gilead product(s) are not eligible for funding through the Research Scholars Program.
Clinical intervention research that is solely investigating Gilead competitor products. For example, studies focused solely on the safety, efficacy or tolerability of these products
Co-principle investigators are not eligible for funding
Applicants with certain NIH awards at the time of application - R01, P01, U01. Also those on the NIH Loan Repayment Program.
- It's permissible if these are granted during the award period (if you are applying for these at the same time as the RSP award).
Duplicative funding: the RSP award cannot overlap with other current or pending funding. It can be used to support a larger research project, as long as it supports a specific component of it.
Applicants on visas shorter than the 2-year award period who cannot provide evidence for the duration of the term for the contract

Exceptions to the above can apply, for example, having taken time out for parental leave or family bereavement.

Citizenship

An applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or subject to the qualifications noted below hold a temporary non-immigrant visa/work permit. This visa must be valid and must allow the applicant to undertake the research over the 2-year award period from the United States. This non-immigrant visa/work permit must be valid for the 2-year award period or applicant must be able to establish that he or she is eligible for an extension, renewal or other status that will enable the applicant to perform the research in the applicable jurisdiction for the entirety of the 2-year award period.

What positions are considered junior faculty positions?

Most post-fellowship positions are considered faculty positions. This could include, but is not limited to the following: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Researcher, Lecturer, and Assistant Project Scientist. Institutions differ with regard to what they consider to be faculty positions. Please check with your institution as to what is a faculty appointment. Please note, fellows are not eligible for the program.

Are fellows eligible for the program?

Successful candidates will normally hold a faculty position in an appropriate university or research institute. Application and acceptance of a RSP Award requires the candidate to demonstrate that there is a host institution in place that is able to accept the terms and conditions of this award. Given research fellows normally work under contract to a funder and principle investigator, or already hold an independent fellowship, they would normally not be eligible for the program.

I received my MD or PhD (or equivalent degree) more than the years stated within the eligibility criteria, am I ineligible?

Gilead will consider extenuating circumstances for reasons why you may fall outside of the stated eligibility criteria. Examples include having taken time out for parental leave, for bereavement or for military service.