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W.W. Smith Charitable Trust Research Award for Cardiovascular Disease

General Information

Program Description

The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust awards grants for basic medical research primarily related to heart disease, cancer, and AIDS. Funding is limited to nonprofit institutions such as universities, hospitals, and research centers located in the five-county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ. Scientists and research faculty with appointments at the aforementioned institutions are encouraged to apply through their associated institutions. The Trust identifies and funds research projects that are unique and meritorious. We invest in promising researchers having the potential to attract larger-scale awards (e.g., NIH, NSF, AHA) subsequent to Trust support. Research proposals are peer-reviewed by a medical advisory committee comprised of prominent scientists at institutions located outside our geographic funding area. These reviews help guide Trust funding towards projects capable of having a direct influence upon the fight against heart disease, cancer, and AIDS.

Limitation

Schools may submit one (1) application for Penn’s internal competition.

Eligibility

  • The organization must be located in the five-county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ.
  • Funds must be used for basic medical research in the areas of heart disease, cancer, or AIDS.
  • No funds are awarded solely for equipment.
  • A maximum of one (1) proposal per parent organization may be submitted in each granting category regardless of the number of EINs available under the organization.
  • Unused grant funds must be returned to the Trust promptly. Please contact the Trust for guidance before submitting any refund.
  • Copies of all published material relevant to a proposed research project must be made available to the Trust both before and after a grant is made.
  • For any sponsored research projects, the applicant must be eligible to serve as Principal Investigator for the project, unless otherwise noted in the LSO. Please see Penn’s PI Eligibility requirements to ensure you are eligible. 
  • Award information:
  • A research award ranging from $100,000 – $125,000 (including 10% indirect costs)
  • Grants are awarded for a one (1) year term.

Review Process

Selection Criteria

The University has been invited to nominate 1 faculty member for each discipline. A committee, established by the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), will determine the final nominees to represent the University. The Trust identifies and funds research projects that are unique and meritorious. The Trust invests in promising researchers having the potential to attract larger-scale awards (e.g. NIH, NSF, AHA) subsequent to Trust support. Research proposals are peer reviewed by a medical advisory committee comprised of prominent scientists at institutions located outside our geographic funding area. These reviews help guide Trust funding towards projects capable of having a direct influence upon the fight against heart disease, cancer, and AIDS.

OVPR Internal Review Process

Applications must include the following:

  1. Cover Page which includes:
    • Project Title
    • Candidate’s name, academic rank, department, email address, phone number and campus address.   
  2. Letter of Nomination (maximum 1 page):
  3. Research Summary (maximum 2 pages):
  4. A CV (maximum 2 pages): that includes educational background, professional appointments, awards, and honors. Include all current research support (start-up and external) and pending support, including dollar amounts and start/end dates.
  5. All materials must be submitted in a single PDF document in the above order to vprgrant@upenn.edu. 
  6. Subject line of the email should be, WWSMITH_applicant LAST name_ applicant FIRST name.