As the scientific enterprise in the United States is facing significant turmoil due to recent policy changes and likely large reductions to federal agencies’ budgets, Research Corporation for Science Advancement remains steadfast in our commitment to our mission to advance early-stage, high-potential-impact scientific research and innovative pedagogy. As a first step in supporting our community through these challenging times, RCSA is announcing a new initiative: the RCSA Bridge Award, a need-based grant opportunity for our community of scholars.
“The vibrancy of scientific research and education depends on nurturing the brightest minds in the early and most creative part of their careers,” said RCSA President Eric Isaacs. “Regardless of the changing priorities at the federal and state levels, RCSA will continue to support our community of awardees, who are exemplary scientists engaged in cutting-edge research and committed to advancing innovative approaches to training the next generation of science leaders.”
RCSA Bridge Awards of up to $100,000 are open to scientists with appointments at U.S. academic institutions who either received a Cottrell Scholar Award in 2016 or later or are Holland Award recipients whose first academic appointment was in 2013 or later. Eligible members of the Cottrell Scholar community will be invited to apply. RCSA will not fund proposals that were previously declined due to poor peer review, nor canceled due to non-performance.
RCSA Bridge Awards will focus on Cottrell Scholars with high-potential programs that have experienced significant and demonstrable disruptions due to changes in federal, state, or institutional funding. Funds from the awards are intended to further advance recipients’ research or educational efforts, for example by ensuring completion of dissertations or post-doctoral studies of trainees or by ensuring support of undergraduate research opportunities under the applicant’s direction. RCSA celebrates and affirms the full range of backgrounds and identities that comprise our community of teacher-scholars and their students.
This program is a first step in RCSA’s response.
“The RCSA Bridge Award is focused on flexible and urgent support for early and mid-career scientists experiencing disruptions to their research programs,” Isaacs said. “The foundation will continue to engage with our scholars and monitor the rapidly evolving federal funding situation so that we may optimize our future support for members of the RCSA community.”
“We remain firmly committed to science in the United States and Canada, and to the careers of our community of researchers,” Isaacs said.