Investing in female-specific science and innovation
Nuttall Women’s Health Request For Proposals (RFPs) are designed to stimulate innovative research that directly addresses the biological mechanisms specific to women and translates those findings into more effective clinical strategies. We offer flexible support for projects ranging from one to three years, with total funding requests ranging from $500,000 to $5,000,000 per project. NWH expects to fund multiple projects for each RFP.
Ideal submissions will include research that addresses critical gaps in knowledge, moves the needle forward to offer precision-based care through rigorous diagnostics and therapeutics. Investigators, inventors and companies seeking to perform novel research are encouraged to apply. Interdisciplinary teams and innovative approaches are highly encouraged.
Our funding process seeks to accelerate discovery
Our funding process seeks to accelerate discovery
Shorter processes
Our review and selection process is significantly shorter than most granting institutions, so researchers can get started sooner.
More financial support
Our funding provides greater financial support to allow for bolder and more expansive research projects.
Open to all
All are welcome to apply. We value ideas with groundbreaking potential and believe they can come from scientists at any point in their careers.
Innovative research
We support innovative research and thus the burden of extensive preliminary data is removed. Likewise, we offer flexibility in supporting unexpected findings and/or new areas of research that do not require new grant submissions.
Tracked progress
We adhere to investigator-stated milestones to ensure science progresses at the anticipated pace and impact is achieved.
Proposals must clearly define the knowledge gap being addressed, how the findings will contribute to scientific and clinical advancement and how these findings will advance the health of women and/or what additional steps will be necessary to achieve that impact.
Additionally, proposals should outline a clear and compelling path from discovery to impact—ensuring that the research is not only scientifically rigorous but also purposefully aimed at improving the lives and health of women.
Funding phases
Concept proposal
Applicants begin with a concept proposal, a focused articulation of the scientific question and an overview of how your team is positioned to answer it. We are looking for science that clearly closes a gap in knowledge and advances the field as put forth in the RFP.
Expanded proposal
Invited applicants develop the concept into a full proposal, a detailed account of how the work will be done. Applicants must provide details on the experimental design and methods, the feasibility of the plan, the rigor and validity of the approach and the analytical strategy that will carry the data to meaningful conclusions. Key components of the full proposal include clear metrics, milestones and decision points.
Finalist review
Proposals advancing to this phase receive a set of scientific questions, along with suggested additions or changes to strengthen the work. During this phase, selected applicants meet with the NWH team to engage in virtual and in-person meetings with the principal investigators and members of the investigative team, working together to optimize the science and solidify the final scientific approach, metrics and milestones. Once science and deliverables are agreed upon, proposals move to Phase 4.
Award and partnership
With an agreed-upon scientific plan in place, proposals move to contract execution and funding. This marks the start of an ongoing partnership dedicated to carrying the science through to meaningful, lasting impact for women’s health.
Awards are anticipated to be between $500,000 – $5,000,000 US Dollars per project for the following RFPs: D3, Odessa and Franklin Factor. The funding amount will be determined at the discretion of NWH and will be consistent with the scope of work proposed and deemed feasible in a one (1) to three (3) year time period.
For XXcelerate, there is no specific funding limit. Funding requests should be consistent with the proposed scope of work that allows for expedited findings that impact women. Funding requests should be for one (1) to three (3) years.
There is no pre-set number of awards. The number of awards will be determined at the discretion of NWH.
The Request for Proposals are open domestically and internationally to both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Researchers at all levels and experience are encouraged to apply.Multidisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations are highly encouraged.
If the grantee is a nonprofit institution, the PI(s) must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree, and such PI(s) must have a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school or other research facility. If the grantee is not a nonprofit institution, the PI(s) must hold a permanent position of appropriate seniority, as determined by NWH.
Yes. Early career investigators are eligible and encouraged to apply. We welcome proposals from researchers at all career stages, including those seeking to establish themselves in this field.
Yes. Investigators who have not previously worked in women’s health are eligible.We encourage applications from individuals with relevant expertise in other fields who areinterested in bringing their expertise to the research questions outlined in the NWH Request for Proposals.
Interested in investment funding?
NWH also funds early to growth stage companies working to accelerate women’s health. If your company is building translational solutions with validated science, clear clinical pathways and bold impact potential, we would love to hear from you.
