Request for Proposals: Ann Theodore Foundation Learning Opportunities in Medicine and Sarcoidosis

Eligibility

For this program, “early-career” investigators are defined as being within the first five years of an independent faculty appointment who have not yet obtained an R01, P01, or P50 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or a similar award (e.g., typically multiyear grants that provide substantial support for independent research programs, >$250,000 per year in direct costs).

1. Each applicant organization must be a nonprofit academic or research institution, including domestic and non-US nonprofit organizations and domestic and non-US public/private academic universities or institutions of higher learning (including colleges, universities, medical schools, and other related academic research institutions). Certain qualified governmental agencies with active biomedical research programs may also apply. 
2. All proposed research projects must be led by a principal investigator (PI) who holds a doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, or related research doctorate). The PI must be an independent investigator. 
3. Institutions may submit more than one proposal, but a unique PI must lead each proposal.
4. Each applicant must be within the first five years of their first independent faculty appointment and must not have obtained an R01 from NIH or a similar award.

Mentorship Expectations

Mentors who participate in ATF-LOMAS will be required to adhere to the following standards:

1. Mentors must have a track record of sarcoidosis expertise. 
2. Mentors must be able to meet with their mentees via phone at least once every month.
3. Mentors are expected to provide timely, constructive, and supportive feedback to their mentees regarding their funded project. We expect mentors to respond to email inquiries from mentees within 48 hours.
4. Mentors are expected to support their mentees as the mentees execute their career plan and navigate their field. 
   1. Examples include reviewing grant applications and manuscripts, providing feedback regarding time allocation between research and other responsibilities, and explaining how mentees can recruit trainees to their lab. 
   2. More details on career plan requirements can be found in the “Application Requirements” section.
5. At the 12-month progress report mark, mentors will provide mentees with a written assessment of the mentees’ progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. The assessment will also be sent to ATF-LOMAS.
6. At the 12-month progress report mark, both mentors and mentees must agree to continue the mentor-mentee relationship in order to continue with the program. If the mentor is unable to continue in that role, the mentee must find another mentor within two months to serve for the remaining period. 
7. Mentors agree to support mentees in networking, including finding opportunities to meet community members and participate in sarcoidosis-relevant in-person and virtual events.

Mentors will be provided an honorarium of $1,000 per year of completed service.

Summary

NOTE: Optional LOIs can be submitted via the SurveyMonkey Apply grant portal by Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. An RMS record will not be required for this stage.

Recognizing that support for early-career talent in the sarcoidosis research and clinical field is key to accelerating breakthroughs, the Ann Theodore Foundation is launching the next cycle of the Ann Theodore Foundation Learning Opportunities in Medicine and Sarcoidosis (ATF-LOMAS) initiative, to provide funding support for early-career researchers interested in sarcoidosis research. The Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) will administer the initiative. 

ATF-LOMAS will award up to five two-year research grants led by doctorate-level investigators at qualifying research-based institutions worldwide. Projects will be eligible for up to $100,000 USD annually in funding, inclusive of direct and indirect costs, totaling $200,000 USD over two years. The maximum allowable indirect rate is 15 percent. Mentorship will be a key component of the program, so applicants must indicate the expertise and professional background that they seek in a mentor; additionally, applicants are welcome to provide specific names of potential mentors. 

ATF-LOMAS is now accepting applications for awards of up to $100,000 per year for two-year research projects led by early-career investigators who seek to advance the foundational understanding of sarcoidosis through projects focused on the biology, epidemiology, and clinical care of the disease. Successful applicants will be paired with a mentor to provide guidance throughout the initiative.

If you are interested in participating in the program as a mentor and are not an early-career investigator, please contact us at sarcoidosisgrant@milkeninstitute.org.

Overhead

15% 

Pre-application deadlines

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Key Dates and Timeline

1. Wednesday, June 24, 2026: Informational session about sarcoidosis and the ATF-LOMAS initiative will be held via Zoom at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Please use the following link to register: https://milkeninstitute-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/w2AD0le9QsS30ll8azcvfQ#/registration.
2. Thursday, July 23, 2026: Optional LOIs are due via the SurveyMonkey Apply grant portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
3. Monday, October 26, 2026: Applicants must submit their full proposals via the SurveyMonkey Apply grant portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
4. January 2027: Awardees who are selected for funding are notified.
5. February 2027: Awardees are matched with mentors.
6. March 2027: Projects begin.
7. Summer 2027: The Funded Investigators Meeting takes place. Awardees are expected to attend.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application