Medical Research Grants

Thirteen funds at The Rhode Island Foundation support medical research:

  • Alice W. Bliss Memorial Fund
  • Charles V. Chapin Fellowship Fund
  • Anne Elizabeth Chase Fund
  • Gilbert J. Clappin, Jr. Memorial Fund
  • Haire Family Fund
  • Herbert E. Hopkins Fund
  • Alice Newton Fund  
  • Phebe Parker Fund
  • Esther S. Phillips Fund
  • Helen Walker Raleigh Vision Fund
  • Edythe K. and Jane E. Richmond Memorial Cancer Fund
  • John O. Strom, M.D. Memorial Fund
  • Mary A. Young Cancer Fund 

The Foundation awards 7-10 grants of up to $15,000 each. The primary purpose of the grants is to provide support to new investigators as seed money or for pilot projects.

The Foundation encourages biomedical researchers throughout Rhode Island to apply for start-up grant support for laboratory, clinical and population-based research. In addition to general medical research, areas of interest include infectious diseases, cardiac research, coronary artery disease, cerebral accidents, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, and allergies.

Grants are rarely provided to senior investigators. Grants are generally provided to faculty during their first five years of appointment as assistant professors and are one-time awards. Grants are provided for supplies and research animals. The Foundation generally does not provide funds for permanent equipment, equipment maintenance, travel, or printing. In most cases, this program does not provide funds for salary support of the principal investigator. Because of the limited funds available, the Foundation does not cover charges for overhead by the applicant hospitals and universities. All grants are for one year. Only under unusual circumstances will a proposal for second-year funding be considered.

Proposal Review Criteria

A review panel made up of scientists and physicians assists the Foundation in its review of medical research proposals. Criteria used to evaluate proposals include:

  • Significance of the research 
  • Soundness of the methodology 
  • Feasibility of the research project 
  • Demonstration of independent research 
  • Likelihood of securing future external funding

Application Deadline

Grants are awarded annually. Applications are due November 16, 2012.

To Apply

A complete application consists of:

* Files must be in Word, Excel, PDF, or JPG formats.

For application eligibility and content inquiries, contact:
Yvette Mendez
Grant Programs Officer
(401) 427-4051
 Email Yvette

For technical assistance, contact:
Bryant Phillips
Database Administrator
(401) 427-4049
 Email Bryant

If you already have started this online application, please log in to your account page to edit the application that is in progress.
Website designed and developed by Embolden.