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Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund For Medical Research

Annual Giving
$3.2M
Grant Range
$70K - $0.1M
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
8%

Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund For Medical Research

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,170,251 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $57 million
  • Success Rate: 7-8.6% (25-30 awards from 350+ applications)
  • Decision Time: 14-16 weeks (February deadline, mid-May notification)
  • Fellowship Amount: $70,000-$74,000 annually (3-year fellowships)
  • Geographic Focus: International (primarily US-based labs, but also Europe, Japan, Australia)

Contact Details

Address: 333 Cedar Street, MC0191 PO Box 208000, New Haven, CT 06520-8000
Phone: (203) 785-4612
Email: jccfund@yale.edu
Website: www.jccfund.org
Application Portal: application.jccfund.org

Overview

Established by the Childs Family in 1937 to honor the memory of Jane Coffin Childs (who died of cancer in 1936), the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund For Medical Research has evolved from its original focus on cancer research to support fundamental scientific research that advances understanding of the causes, treatments, and cures for human disease. With assets of $57 million and annual giving of over $3 million, the fund has supported more than 1,800 postdoctoral fellows since its inception. The fund's exceptional prestige is evidenced by its association with 23 Nobel laureates—including seven former fellows (such as David Julius, 2021 Medicine; Thomas Steitz, 2009 Chemistry; and Joshua Lederberg, 1958 Medicine) and 15 who have served on its Board of Scientific Advisors. The fund supports 25-30 new three-year postdoctoral fellowships annually, with recent cohorts backed by nearly $8 million in committed funding through partnerships with HHMI, Hope Funds for Cancer Research, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Johnson & Johnson, Select Equity Group Foundation, and Merck Research Laboratories.

Funding Priorities

Fellowship Program

Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellowship

  • Amount: Year 1: $70,000; Year 2: $72,000; Year 3: $74,000
  • Additional Benefits:
    • $1,000 annual stipend per dependent child under 18
    • $2,000 annual research allowance
    • Up to $1,800 total for travel to scientific meetings
    • One-time relocation award up to $500
  • Duration: Three years
  • Application Method: Online portal through Temelio platform, annual deadline February 2 at 3:00 PM EST
  • Number of Awards: 25-30 new fellows annually

Priority Areas

The fund supports postdoctoral research in fundamental biomedical sciences, with recent fellows researching:

  • Cancer biology and treatment
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Pancreatic islet cell development
  • Mitochondrial sensing and energy resource management
  • Other human disease-related research

The fund explicitly emphasizes support for research that deepens understanding of disease mechanisms rather than applied clinical work.

What They Don't Fund

  • No indirect costs provided to sponsoring institutions
  • Predoctoral students are not eligible
  • Applicants who have already accepted another postdoctoral fellowship award are ineligible
  • The research allowance cannot be used for travel (separate travel funding exists)

Governance and Leadership

Board Structure

The fund operates with two boards:

Board of Managers: Several members of the Childs family serve on this self-perpetuating board, which holds sole responsibility for administration and management of the fund. The Board of Managers, with advice from the Board of Scientific Advisors, determines how the fund's income and principal will be expended.

Board of Scientific Advisors: Originally comprised of seven members, now expanded to twelve. This self-perpetuating board consists of distinguished doctors and scientists affiliated with major universities and medical research centers. The board has included 15 Nobel laureates, including David Baltimore, Paul Berg, Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider, and Randy Schekman.

Key Leadership

Sue Biggins, Ph.D. - Chair, Board of Scientific Advisors
Investigator with Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and Director of the Basic Sciences Division of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. Dr. Biggins is herself a former JCC Fund Fellow. She states: "Support from the Jane Coffin Childs Fund comes at a critical moment for these researchers who have already demonstrated that they are outstanding scientists."

Anita Pepper, Ph.D. - Executive Director (joined August 2022)
Holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Developmental Genetics from NYU, with postdoctoral training at UPenn. Previously served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at The Wistar Institute and Director of Pew Biomedical Programs at The Pew Charitable Trusts. Dr. Pepper brings nearly two decades of experience in designing scientific programs. She emphasizes: "Our goal remains laser-focused: to advance science and those working tirelessly to pursue it."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Temelio platform at application.jccfund.org. All application materials and supporting documents must be received by 3:00 PM EST on February 2 (annual deadline).

Application Requirements:

  • Completed online application
  • Research proposal outlining proposed postdoctoral work
  • Three referee letters from qualified individuals who can evaluate the applicant's research qualifications and potential for independent biomedical research
  • For Ph.D. applicants, the first referee letter should preferably come from the thesis advisor
  • Important restriction: Postdoctoral advisors and co-advisors CANNOT serve as referee writers
  • Commitment letter from sponsoring laboratory and institution

Eligibility Criteria

Postdoctoral Experience Limit: No more than 12 months of postdoctoral research experience at application deadline (first postdoctoral position must not have commenced before February 2, 2025, for the 2026 cycle)

Ph.D. Degree Timing: Must not have been conferred more than 24 months prior to application deadline

M.D. Degree Timing: Must not have been conferred more than three years prior to application deadline

Dual M.D./Ph.D. Applicants: Should contact jccfund@yale.edu regarding extended timeline criteria

Citizenship: Applicants may be citizens of any country. However, awards for non-U.S. citizens can only be made to sponsoring institutions in the United States. U.S. citizens may apply to work in laboratories abroad.

Lab Restrictions: Maximum one new fellow per sponsoring lab per award year, though two JCC Fellows may work in the same lab simultaneously if funded during different award years.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Opens: October 1
  • Application Deadline: February 2 at 3:00 PM EST
  • Notification: Mid-May via email (both awards and declinations)
  • Public Announcement: Late June

Success Rates

The fellowship is highly competitive:

  • 350+ applications received annually
  • 25-30 awards made per year
  • Success rate: 7-8.6%
  • The 2025 cycle attracted "the largest pool of applicants in the history of the fund"

Fellows are selected by the Board of Scientific Advisors based on doctoral research accomplishments, innovative research plans, and chosen scientific mentors.

Reapplication Policy

The fund's FAQ does not specify a reapplication policy. Applicants declined for funding receive notification in mid-May but are not provided with feedback on their applications. Interested parties should contact jccfund@yale.edu for clarification on reapplication eligibility.

Application Success Factors

Selection Criteria

According to the fund's leadership, the Board of Scientific Advisors evaluates applicants based on:

  1. Doctoral research accomplishments - demonstrated excellence in graduate work
  2. Innovative research plans - proposals that advance fundamental understanding of disease
  3. Quality of scientific mentors - strength and reputation of the sponsoring laboratory

Advice from Successful Fellows

Dr. Brotto, a JCC Fellow, advises early-career researchers: "Sometimes we decide not to compete for grants because we know that so many other people are applying. For beginning researchers, it's important to try and it will be helpful regardless of whether you pursue an academic career or a job in industry." This reflects the fund's recognition that even unsuccessful applications build important skills.

Strategic Considerations

Laboratory Selection: Since applicants must have identified and secured commitment from a sponsoring laboratory before applying, the quality and reputation of the mentor and institution is critical. The fund has supported fellows at leading institutions internationally.

Research Focus: While the fund expanded beyond cancer research to include broader human disease research, the emphasis remains on fundamental scientific research that advances mechanistic understanding rather than applied clinical studies.

Early Career Timing: The strict eligibility windows (12 months postdoctoral experience, 24 months since Ph.D.) mean applicants must apply early in their postdoctoral careers, making the quality of the proposed transition from doctoral to postdoctoral research particularly important.

Fellowship Obligations: Fellows must attend an annual symposium (all expenses paid) throughout all three fellowship years. Continued funding in years 2 and 3 depends on submission of annual fiscal and narrative reports, demonstrating the fund's investment in fellows' ongoing progress.

Research Areas of Recent Fellows

The 2025 cohort includes fellows researching:

  • Cancer biology across multiple disease types
  • Neurodegenerative disease mechanisms
  • Autoimmune disorder pathways
  • Developmental biology (pancreatic islet cells from single cells)
  • Cellular metabolism (mitochondrial sensing and energy management)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply despite intense competition - With a 7-8.6% success rate, this fellowship is highly selective, but the prestige and comprehensive support justify the effort. Even applying builds valuable experience.

  • Time your application carefully - Strict eligibility windows mean you must apply within 12 months of starting your postdoctoral position and within 24 months of receiving your Ph.D. (36 months for M.D.s). Plan accordingly.

  • Secure your mentor first - You must have commitment from a sponsoring laboratory and institution before applying. Choose your postdoctoral mentor strategically, as their reputation factors into selection decisions.

  • Choose referees wisely - Your postdoctoral advisor CANNOT write a recommendation, so select three referees (ideally including your Ph.D. thesis advisor) who can speak to your research accomplishments and potential for independent research.

  • Emphasize fundamental science - The fund prioritizes research that advances fundamental understanding of disease mechanisms. Frame your proposal around mechanistic insights rather than immediate clinical applications.

  • Prepare for a long-term commitment - Annual symposium attendance is required all three years, and continued funding depends on annual reports. This fellowship demands sustained engagement with the JCC community.

  • No application feedback provided - The fund does not offer feedback on unsuccessful applications, so consider seeking pre-submission review from mentors familiar with the program's priorities.

References

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