Vertex Grows CF Research Grant Program by $750,000, Applications Being Accepted

Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced a $750,000 addition to its cystic fibrosis (CF) research innovation program that supports the work of young scientists aiming to establish themselves as independent CF researchers.

The initiative expands the company’s CF Research Innovation Awards (RIA) program furthering post-doctoral research that aims to advance the understanding of CF and the careers of researchers in becoming CF specialists.

Innovation award grant applications are being accepted now through Jan. 8, 2018, for review and selection by an independent steering committee. Information is available on the program website.

Multiyear and competitive grants are awarded in two categories:

• Independent awards are given newly independent faculty members establishing their own notable research in CF. Two, three-year grants of $750,000 are given each year.
• Mentored awards support mentored projects being conducted by established CF researchers. Four two-year grants worth up to $125,000 are awarded each year.

This expansion is part of Vertex’s recently announced 10-year, $500 million corporate giving commitment and, together with other efforts, will provide up to $10 million in grants over the next five years, the company said in a press release.

“Vertex invests in science to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases, and the next generation of scientists is needed to make this vision a reality,” said David Altshuler, executive vice president of global research and chief scientific officer of Vertex.

“Supporting the development of young physician researchers and scientists is critical to continued advancement of our understanding of the disease, and to ensure people living with cystic fibrosis have the best care for the future,” Altshuler added.

The ten-year initiative aims to provide support to CF patients and their caregivers, including access to Vertex medicines, and to invest in education — improving the learning of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — through its STEAM program as well as others that benefit the CF patient community across the U.S.

Vertex also plans to launch a non-profit arm, the Vertex Foundation, as a long-term source of charitable giving with a focus on furthering all of the above programs. Among its other efforts will be a dollar-for-dollar matching gift program intended to will double the amount given to qualified non-profit groups through Vertex employee donations.