The Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award is intended to be an early career grant to young investigators who are just embarking on an independent research career. Eligibility is thus restricted.

• MD or MD/PhD applicants should be 4 to 9 years past their last year of clinical training required for medical specialty board certification, must hold a full-time tenure-track faculty position (or equivalent) at their current U.S. based institution and must have received their first tenure-track appointment no more than 4 years prior to the submission deadline.
• For PhD scientists, the same timelines applies, but the 4 to 9 year window begins upon completion of their terminal degree. They must have either primary or secondary appointments in clinical departments related to maternal or child health.  
• Applicants who have transition faculty-mentored awards (e.g. K99/R00) are welcome if they still have one year of the mentored portion.  If not, application should be deferred.  K12 and K08 applicants are encouraged.
• Candidates may not simultaneously hold a grant for any other March of Dimes research program.
• Applicants may not have total grant support exceeding $200,000 per year before the BOC award start date (e.g. R01). 
• Those who have previously submitted an application to the Basil O’Connor program are ordinarily not eligible for resubmission; however, exceptions will be considered on an individual basis.