The Schwartz Research Fund Visionary Grant is not accepting applications in 2024-25. Instead,  Schwartz Research Fund Awards will be given this academic year.  For more information, contact ofdd@cornell.edu.

One Visionary Grant award valued at $375,000 and disbursed over three years ($125,00/year) will be awarded to Ithaca, Cornell Tech, and Geneva-based faculty who enhance the diversity, equity and inclusion goals of the university whose work is in the life sciences at Cornell. The primary goal is to provide significant investment in innovative, visionary research that opens an important new line of inquiry for their laboratory.

The award will be given to one Principal Investigator (no co-PIs submissions) at the rank of Assistant Professor who is in years 2 to 5 of their appointment at Cornell and who has not yet submitted their tenure file for review. In addition, the candidates must have secured external funding such as an NIH, NSF, USDA, etc. grant, prior to submission of an application.

With the exception of faculty salaries, funds from the Schwartz Visionary Grant may be applied toward a wide variety of expenses with the goal of expanding the faculty’s research program into innovative areas. Salary and meeting travel support for a graduate student/postdoc can be covered.

Faculty from colleges and departments in the traditional life science disciplines, as well as those outside such traditional disciplines, are eligible to apply provided they clearly state the likely significant impact of the research on the life sciences.

The Schwartz Visionary Grant will be awarded on a 36-month cycle.

View Application Guidelines

Eligibility

Ithaca- and Geneva-based as well as Cornell Tech assistant professors in years 2 to 5 of their appointment at Cornell are invited to apply.

Application procedure

Submit application (see guidelines) to ofdd@cornell.edu.

The top 3 candidates will be invited to give a 30 minute oral presentation to the selection committee, who will select one awardee.

Reporting Requirements

The awardee will be required to submit a final report, including an expenditure report. They will meet with Drs. Joan and Ronald Schwartz when they are on campus or connect with them via telephone or email.