SALAM FELLOWS GRANT APPLICATION OVERVIEW, INSTRUCTIONS, TEMPLATES
1. Program Overview
A core benefit of participation in the Salam Fellows Program is eligibility to apply for Salam Fellows Grant support. These grants are intended to directly advance the applicant’s development as a research scientist and to support activities that meaningfully contribute to their research trajectory, professional growth, or next career steps.
Executive Summary of Features
KEY PROGRAM FEATURES
- Micro-grant program supporting Salam Fellows’ research and career advancement
- Awards up to $3,000; ~3–6 grants annually depending on budget
- Rolling, competitive review based on merit and alignment
APPLICATION & REVIEW
- One-page letter of intent (LOI) plus attestation; minimal administrative burden
- Letters of support are required only when cost sharing is included in the proposed project. In such cases, letters must be provided by the individual(s) or organization(s) committing the cost share and must clearly document the nature and amount of the contribution.
- Letters of support for trainees from supervisors or Principal Investigators are optional; however, they are encouraged, as they may strengthen the overall application.
- Funding decisions typically within 30–45 days
ACCOUNTABILITY
- Funds restricted to approved activities
- Required post-award executive report
- Mandatory return of funds if project not completed
- Noncompliance may result in removal from program
GOVERNANCE
- Leadership discretion retained
- Flexible batching or targeted calls as needed
- Award amount: Up to $3,000 per grant. Smaller requests are generally easier to fund.
- Number of awards: Approximately 3–6 grants per calendar year, depending on available budget and award size.
- Funding basis: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Funding decisions are competitive and contingent on merit, alignment with program goals, and available budget.
- Cost share: The Salam Initiative may request cost sharing from a Principal Investigator, Department, or other supporting entity.
2. Eligible Uses of Funds
Grant funds must be used for activities that are directly related to the applicant’s advancement as a research scientist. Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Advanced summer internships
- Focused workshops or short courses (e.g., Woods Hole Zebrafish Genetics Course, Cold Spring Harbor courses)
- Hackathons or intensive skills-based training programs
- Short institutional programs (e.g., 1–2-day symposia)
- Professional or scientific meetings
- Focused coursework not otherwise supported by the applicant’s institution
Grant requests that are unrelated to the applicant’s articulated research goals or career trajectory will not be reviewed favorably. New research directions are acceptable, provided they are convincingly articulated and clearly justified.
3. Application Requirements: Letter of Intent (LOI)
Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent.
LOI Formatting Requirements
- Font: Arial, 11-point
- Margins: 0.5 inches
- Spacing: Single-spaced
- Length: One page maximum
Required LOI Content
The LOI must clearly and concisely address the following:
- Research goals or project description
- A clear statement of the specific research goal(s) or project(s).
- Funding request
- The amount requested and what the funds will support.
- Justification and impact (critical component)
- A compelling explanation of how the grant will directly advance:
- The applicant’s research goals, and/or
- Next steps in career development or future directions.
- Applications are evaluated heavily on the return on investment in advancing the applicant’s research career.
- Planned use of funds
- A concise description of how funds will be used.
- Clear disclosure of any proposed cost sharing, including the contributing entity.
4. Letters of Support
- Up to two short letters of support may be submitted.
- Letters of support are optional, except when cost sharing is proposed.
- If cost sharing is proposed:
- A letter from the cost-sharing entity must be included.
- The letter must explicitly attest to responsibility for providing the cost share and describe the nature of that support.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the LOI and any letters of support clearly address all stated requirements.
5. Review Process and Funding Decisions
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Funding decisions are typically made within 30–45 days of submission.
- The Salam Initiative reserves the right to:
- Extend the review period if applications are backlogged,
- Request additional documentation,
- Batch applications for review,
- Issue targeted calls for applications for specific projects or priorities,
- Make funding decisions based on available budgetary allotments.
6. Award Disbursement and Accountability
Disbursement
If a project is approved for funding:
- Grant funds will be disbursed by check directly to the awardee.
Use of Funds and Accountability
Awarded funds must be used solely for the approved project or activity described in the application. If the funded project or activity is not undertaken or cannot be completed as approved, the awardee agrees to:
- Immediately notify the Salam Initiative Chair, and
- Return all unused or disbursed Salam Fellows Grant funds.
Failure to do so may result in:
- Ineligibility for future Salam Fellows funding, and
- Removal from the Salam Fellows Program.
7. Post-Award Reporting Requirements
Within one month of completing the funded activity, awardees must submit an Executive Report.
Executive Report Requirements
- Font: Arial, 11-point
- Margins: 0.5 inches
- Spacing: Single-spaced
- Length: One page maximum
The Executive Report must:
- Describe the funded activity or experience, and
- Clearly articulate the return on investment gained from the experience.
Submission of the Executive Report constitutes confirmation that the funded activity was completed as approved.
8. Submission Instructions:
Once an applicant is accepted as a Salam Fellow, they will be added to the system and able to apply using the Taleem application portal.
Template for the Letter of Intent (LOI)
1. Research goals or project description
A clear statement of the specific research goal(s) or project(s).
Title: Zebrafish pancreatitis induction
In this project, I will spend one month in the lab of the Stanford Pediatric Exocrine Pancreas Program as a visiting postdoctoral associate to learn induction of the disease pancreatitis in the powerful model system of the zebrafish.
2. Funding request
The amount requested and what the funds will support.
$3000
3. Justification and impact (critical component)
- A compelling explanation of how the grant will directly advance:
-
The applicant’s research goals, and/or
- Next steps in career development or future directions.
- Applications are evaluated heavily on the return on investment in advancing the applicant’s research career.
I am a biomedical scientist who wishes to disrupt the field of pancreas research. This specific project, if inshaAllah successful, will propel my career in adopting a novel model system as a research scientist.
4. Planned use of funds
