The W.M. Keck Foundation Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research Program – Background 1998-07-01 Throughout its history, the W.M. Keck Foundation has maintained a strong commitment to supporting distinguished biomedical research initiatives at premier medical and research universities and independent research institutions. In order to advance groundbreaking work in this field, the Foundation’s Board of Directors in 1998 approved the Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research Program. It is designed to promote the early career development of a select group of the country’s brightest young biomedical scientists – those with the promise to become our nation’s research leaders. The program will support groundbreaking research addressing the fundamental mechanisms of human disease by young investigators who exhibit extraordinary promise for independent basic biological and medical research and demonstrate a capacity for future academic leadership. Specifically, the W.M. Keck Foundation will invite 30 outstanding research universities and independent research institutes annually to nominate one faculty member who is in their second to fourth year of their first tenure track position. We will award up to five grants annually for a maximum of $1 million to each institution. Each grant will support the research activities of the selected candidates for a period of up to five years, as well as enable the institution to purchase necessary equipment and resources to facilitate the investigative process. The Foundation’s goal is to provide these institutions and their young scientists with an opportunity to investigate promising and unproven new ideas, the funding for which can be difficult to obtain, even for an established researcher with a steady funding stream. We do not intend that this award remove these scientists from the academic environment, nor relieve them of their teaching responsibilities and the grant-writing and administrative burdens of running a laboratory, all of which the Foundation believes are an important part of every young scientist’s training. Please note that the invitation to participate in this program does not preclude submission of a funding request to either the Medical Research or Science and Engineering programs of the W.M. Keck Foundation. If you have any additional questions concerning this program, please contact Roxanne Ford, Program Director for the Medical Research Program.