Awards
Grants are currently set at $300,000 for a three-year period, with $100,000 payable in the first year and equal sums payable in the second and third years, subject to the receipt of acceptable progress reports. Normally, fifteen new awards will be made annually. The awards will be made to tax-exempt institutions described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and will be designated for the support of the research programs described in the applications. Awards are issued from the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust.
Reporting Requirements
The institution shall submit an annual expenditure report. Scholars are expected to attend the Annual Searle Scholars' Meeting which is normally held in Chicago in April. Abstracts and technical reports will be solicited prior to the meeting. Final technical and fiscal reports shall be due within 90 days of the termination of the award.
Use of Funds
Awards will be made to institutions for the support of the research programs of the Scholars. Up to 25% of an individual's calendar year salary may be charged to the grant, together with appropriate fringe benefits. Persons on academic year appointments may charge 25% of the academic year salary and one month of summer salary (at the monthly rate for the academic year) when the academic year is ten months, or two months when the academic year is nine months. However, in no case may the total salary plus benefits charged for the Scholar exceed $25,000. Scholars shall have the maximum discretion in the budgeting and rebudgeting of funds to meet their research needs. However, the following limitations will apply:
- Funds may not be transferred from indirect to direct costs or vice versa;
- Foreign travel requires prior approval of the Scientific Director of the Searle Scholars Program;
- Total annual expenditures for equipment which exceed the approved budget by more than $3,000 require prior approval.
Change of Institution
The Scientific Director of the Searle Scholars Program should be notified of any proposed change of institution which might take place during the period of the award. It is anticipated that approval to transfer the award will normally be granted, but prior written approval should be requested.
Human Subjects, Animals, and Recombinant DNA
If the proposed research program involves humans as research subjects, the use of warm-blooded animals, or experiments involving recombinant DNA techniques, the Scholar will be expected to comply with the current guidelines of the Department of Health and Human Services concerning such matters.
Acknowledgment of Support
Any publication arising from work supported by the program should acknowledge the assistance as being received from "Searle Scholars Program."
Nondiscrimination
It is the policy of the program to operate without discrimination as to age, race, religion, sex, handicap, or national origin in the employment or promotion of staff. This policy will be applied to the selection of the Searle Scholars.
