Underrepresented Population Fellowship Award in Gene and Cell Therapy for Any Indication

Applicants must:

1. Be from a group underrepresented in the scientific workforce, as defined by the NIH:

   1. Self-identify as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Indigenous or other Pacific Islander.

   2. Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.

   3. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:

      1. Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act;

      2. Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families;

      3. Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years;

      4. Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree;

      5. Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants

      6. Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child;

      7. Grew up in one of the following areas: a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, or b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities listed can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition.

2. Be a member of ASGCT. Not an ASGCT member yet? Take the first step. Submit your membership application at least five business days prior to the application deadline to allow sufficient time for processing.

3. Be a postdoctoral or early-stage investigator.

4. Have a research focus on any area of gene and cell therapy.

5. Be a U.S. citizen or or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

6. Have clear and documented support of an established mentor who has active noncommercial funding and will remain funded for the duration of the award term, or who is recognized through national clinical leadership (if the project is clinical). 

7. Provide documentation from an institutional leader with the authority to ensure that at least 75 percent of the applicant's full-time professional efforts will be devoted to research during the funded period.

All funds must be used for direct expenses associated with conducting the proposed project and are non-transferable. Please refer to our Grant Policy Statement for a list of accepted costs. 

Applicants must either be a U.S. citizen or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Mentors must be located in the United States during the duration of the research. Any visa and/or citizenship restrictions applicable to receiving the award are the responsibility of the applicant.

Winners will be notified on November 15 and awards will be processed by November 30.