The University of Colorado, in partnership with the Boettcher Foundation, has opened applications for the 2026 Boettcher Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards program. The initiative aims to support early career investigators in biomedical research by providing up to five grants of $250,000 each over a period of up to three years.
The program is designed to foster independent research that could lead to advances in disease prevention and improvements in human health. The focus is on both basic and applied biomedical research that can generate new discoveries or move existing findings closer to practical application.
According to the University of Colorado, since July 2010, 75 faculty members have received more than $17.6 million through this awards program.
Potential applicants are invited to attend a pre-submission webinar scheduled for December 12 from 2:30-3:30 p.m., where they can learn about the application process and participate in a Q&A session with leaders from the selection panel.
For the first time, candidates are required to submit an Intent to Apply form by January 9, 2026. This step is intended to help ensure that reviewers have appropriate expertise for evaluating submissions.
Eligible applicants must be faculty researchers at any of CU’s four campuses who are within four years of their initial career-track academic appointment as of January 1, 2026. Additional requirements include not having previously received a major independent research award and having completed their terminal degree or medical residency within ten years prior to January 1, 2026. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the time of application.
Further details on eligibility criteria are available on the university’s website at http://www.cu.edu/bfww/eligibility.
Applications should be submitted through campus grants offices according to campus-specific instructions provided online. The announcement notes that inquiries should not be directed to the Boettcher Foundation directly.
