Ryan Research funding opportunity: Oct. 2 deadline to apply

Dear faculty, 

I am pleased to announce that Northwestern is now accepting applications for the Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund. As originally communicated last September, this $35 million program will support translation of innovative, high-impact work in the life sciences and related fields, catalyzing successful basic research with the potential for commercialization. The deadline for consideration is Oct. 2, 2023.

The Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund seeks to advance bold ideas that, at present, are not yet ready for funding from existing sources. It is specifically focused to address the gap between federally funded basic research and market based commercial funding source. By providing Northwestern investigators with support to demonstrate the feasibility of their visions, the fund ultimately will allow the University to attract even more external funding for life science research that solves urgent societal challenges.

We anticipate total award funding to be about $4 million in the first year. Typical awards will be funded with a one-year budget of $100,000 to $300,000, though other amounts will be considered when justified. Funding may be eligible for renewal for a second year. The anticipated start date for selected awards is Dec. 1, 2023. More information, including details about how to submit materials for application, is available online.

Associate Vice President for Research and Professor Jian Cao is overseeing the operation of the Ryan Research Acceleration Fund. Inquiries may be directed to ryanrafund@northwestern.edu.

Northwestern is grateful to the Ryan Family for their ongoing support of Northwestern’s research ecosystem. We are confident this new fund will further increase the impact of our thriving investigations related to the life sciences.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Hagerty

Provost and Professor