Sponsor Information

Why partner with LSRF to fund post-doctoral researchers?

The proof of our success is in the accomplishments of our nearly 675 alumni over a 40 year period. Our diverse and dedicated peer review team, all experts in their fields, and the supervision of our distinguished leadership team guarantee selection of the highest quality young scientists at this crucial stage of their training. LSRF’s operating costs are a remarkably low 4% and this covers all aspects of our program – the submission, review and selection process, program administration, and our Annual Meeting. This meeting is attended by our current awardees and LSRF review and leadership teams. All sponsors are invited to attend.

The process of selecting LSRF finalists

The deadline for applications is October 1 each year. The review process is completed by February. Details of the process including the names of the large review team can be found elsewhere on this web site. Each year we screen over 800 applications and choose 55-60 eligible finalists. These finalists are the highest quality young scientists in all areas of the life sciences. The number of finalists awarded funding depends on the success of securing sponsors for funding. We were able to fund 27 of 58 finalists from our 2019 class, 22 of 60 finalists from our 2020 class, and 25 of 60 finalists from our 2021 class.

How LSRF matches sponsors with finalists

Once the selection committee has identified the top candidates as finalists, sponsors have the option of choosing whom they want to support. Should they choose this option, LSRF will send applications of finalists based on the sponsor’s research interests. Sponsors have no obligation to support any finalist whom they review.

Our sponsors

Our sponsors include research oriented pharmaceutical companies, medical research organizations, disease targeted foundations, basic research oriented foundations and individual philanthropists. We are a perfect partner for anyone who, above all, wishes to support the highest quality research in the life sciences.

Current cost to sponsors (effective August 1, 2023)

$80,000 per year for three years. Total of $240,000.
$66,000 per year is the postdoctoral researcher’s salary. This does not change over the award period.
$11,000 per year is a research allowance for exclusive use by the awardee.
$3,000 per year is kept by LSRF for our operating expenses (4%).
Awardees who terminate their funding early must return unexpended award funds to LSRF. LSRF will contact the sponsor to determine how to apply the unspent funds.

Sponsors are asked to fund the award in full if possible. Alternatively, LSRF will invoice a sponsor annually in July. The money is disbursed quarterly by LSRF to an authorized institutional official.

Additional benefits for sponsoring an LSRF finalist

Sponsors and their awardees are encouraged to meet. The awardee agrees to visit the sponsor for one day each year at the sponsor’s initiative.
All awardees attend the two and a half day LSRF Annual Meeting where they present their work either in the form of a poster (years one and two) or a short talk (year three). LSRF officers and two guest speakers also attend. Sponsor representatives, the LSRF Advisory Board and LSRF Peer Review Committee are all invited to attend.
A sponsor chooses how their awardee is named. This typically includes the sponsor’s name and remaining anonymous is also an option.

Use and limitations of the award

Use of the institutional allowance by the awardee
Escrow fund
Eligibility of awardees and their host institutions
Patent policy

The Life Sciences Research Foundation is a non-profit, public foundation. All donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible and our tax ID# is: 52-1231801.