Launch your research as a Maraganore Fellow at the RNA Therapeutics Institute and be part of the RNA revolution.
Yes. However, fellows will need to have completed their terminal degree by the start date, but not necessarily by the application deadline.
No. You are eligible only if you are within 24 months of your terminal degree date.
Yes, absolutely!
Yes, a dedicated office responsible for such support will work with selected fellows who may need visa support.
You should wait to apply in future years. We cannot defer acceptance.
We are looking for outstanding productivity as graduate students or early-stage postdocs as well as exciting ideas. We will look at how innovative and how well-grounded your proposal is. The personal statement is an opportunity to tell us about your goals, your philosophy around science, and the things that motivate you.
Although it is short, it must be enough to capture the excitement, potential, and impact of your proposed research.
This is a proposal that does not list past publications, mentors, institutions you are affiliated with, your identity, or gender. This proposal strictly focuses on just your science and ideas. More information and instructions for your ARP.
We do not expect an R01 style proposal. Instead, we expect a description of your graduate or postdoctoral work and subsequently describe what you aim to do in your independent position as a fellow.
Yes, three recommendation letters are expected by the deadline. Note that your CV is identified, only the anonymized research plan (ARP) is not.
Yes, you may apply to both the Chan and Maraganore Early Independence Fellows tracks.
Yes, we are excited to see the novelty of the proposed projects!
Fellows will also have their own independent lab space with an ability to hire their own staff and postdoctoral associates. Graduate students, however, will need to be co-mentored by tenure-track faculty members.
Our goal is to match fellows based on their scientific interests with a wide array of scientific areas across UMass Chan in any department or center.
The Maraganore Early Independence Fellows track primary/home department will be the RNA Therapeutics Institute (RTI).
Yes, absolutely! At UMass Chan, we thrive on internal and external collaborations. We want you to create the collaborations necessary to move your science forward.
Yes, that is managed at the departmental level.
Yes, absolutely! The fellow will receive mentored support for applying for grants both internally and externally including NIH and other grant mechanisms. The fellows will participate in the Investigator Career Advancement Program and will have access to scientific writing support for grants and publications through this program. Each department offers administrative support for the grant application process as well. For the Maraganore Fellows track, the RTI has additional scientific writing support for grants, publications, and trainee fellowship applications.
The start date will be decided upon by both parties to help the fellow wrap up work in their current lab.
No, these will be truly independent positions. You will select your preferred department although we will work with you to find which aligns best. In the case of the Maraganore Early Independence Fellows track, your primary departmental affiliation will be the RNA Therapeutics Institute (RTI).
They are continuous. We have a commitment to ensure our fellows succeed.
We anticipate that you will be highly competitive here at UMass Chan to become tenure-track investigators in our various departments. You may also apply to other institutions, if desired, after successful completion.
If you receive an offer before the duration of the program is complete, you may accept the offer!
Absolutely! You will be independent scientists.
This is a position with fixed timelines; at the end of which you may apply to tenure-track positions at UMass Chan, or any institution which you deem best fit for your career.
The majority of the fellows' lab equipment purchases will come from their annual budget ($440,000). No, we do not anticipate additional start-up packages for equipment packages. However, UMass Chan is a highly collegial and collaborative environment where equipment is shared within and across departments. In addition to shared equipment within departments, we have robust and extensive core facilities.
Acquiring additional funding is both supported and encouraged! External funding would be in addition to the annual funding ($440,000) that the program provides.
Depending on the career stage of the partner, they may also apply for the program, apply for available postdoctoral positions, staff positions, and/or tenure-track faculty positions. We would work with the fellow to help identify potential positions for their partner.
