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Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants

burroughs wellcome fund

NOTE: Beginning April 30, 2025, we will no longer accept phone calls or emails regarding the Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants program. Instead, we will hold nine Zoom sessions per quarter to address questions from potential applicants. Sign up for notification for information. Only .org, .edu, and .ca email domains are eligible for subscription.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund aims to stimulate the growth of new connections between thinkers working in largely disconnected fields, who, together, may change the course of climate change’s impact on human health. Between Fall 2023 and Summer 2026, we will dedicate $1 million to supporting small, early-stage grants of $2,500–$50,000 toward achieving this goal.

We are primarily, but not exclusively, interested in activities that build connections between basic and early biomedical scientific approaches and ecological, environmental, geological, geographic, and planetary-scale thinking, as well as with population-focused fields, including epidemiology and public health, demography, economics, and urban planning. Also of interest is work piloting new approaches or interactions aimed at reducing the impact of health-centered activities, such as developing more sustainable systems for healthcare, care delivery, and biomedical research.

Another area of interest is preparation for the impacts of extreme weather and other crises that can lead to large-scale disruptions, immediately affecting human health and the delivery of healthcare. Public outreach, climate communication, and education efforts focused on the intersection of climate and health are also appropriate for this call. This program supports work conceived through many kinds of creative thinking. Successful applicants include academic scientists, physicians, and public health experts, community organizations, science outreach centers, non-biomedical academic departments, and more.

Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis through July 2026. A review will be conducted quarterly.

Deadline dates for the upcoming cycles are:

Jan 22, 2026
April 23, 2026
July 23, 2026

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Although BWF does not publicly publish detailed statistical predictors of success, some general facts are known:

🔹 The Fund’s programs are highly competitive, with overall success rates reported around ~10 % in some directories (actual rates vary by award).

🔹 Awards are selected through peer review by external advisory committees of scientific experts.

🔹 Some programs highlight specific strategic priorities (e.g., integrating climate change into biomedical research or prioritizing underrepresented scientists), which may indirectly influence competitiveness.

📊 What Predicts Success in BWF Applications?

BWF does not publish a formal universal “grant success predictor” model like some national agencies do. However, the following can be inferred from program instructions and FAQs:

⦿ Key Evaluation Factors (Implicit or Stated in Program Guides)

Scientific Merit & Innovation: Competitiveness of research aims.

Alignment With Program Priorities: Fit with stated focus areas (e.g., climate + health, scientific interface).

Applicant Potential: Track record and promise as an emerging scientist.

Institutional Support: Strength of institutional commitment (especially for career development awards).

Diversity & Inclusion: Some programs emphasize diversity and equity in science.

⦿ What Isn’t Required

Many BWF programs do not require a pre-proposal or letter of intent.

⦿ Review Process

Competitive awards are reviewed by relevant advisory committees of external scientists — meaning peer evaluation quality is a central component of selection.

📌 Summary

BWF offers a range of biomedical and science education funding opportunities through competitive, peer-reviewed awards.

While the Fund does not publicly publish explicit grant success predictors, competitiveness is high (often ~10 % or less), and review focuses on scientific merit, alignment with program goals, and applicant potential.

Applicants should carefully follow program-specific guidelines and prioritize alignment with stated research priorities to improve competitiveness.

Specialties

Environmental Health

Eligibility Requirements

Applications must be submitted by non-profit organizations or degree-granting institutions in the United States or Canada. Applicant organizations may submit multiple proposals, but an individual may only serve as a principal investigator/project director on one application during each review period.

This call focuses on developing partnerships. Proposals from single institutions must develop partnerships that do not already occur naturally: for example, institutions proposing to link work already connected by other grants will not be competitive. Proposals from more than one institution are responsive. Academic institutions, professional societies, and advocacy organizations are only a few of the appropriate drivers of proposals. Only non-profit institutions may be supported by BWF’s award, but non-profits may involve for profit organizations in their proposals. This program does not support biomedical research projects proposed by individual investigators, but only by collaborative teams.

Eligible proposals will include rationale/vision for the project, including who it is intended to impact.

Individuals may only serve twice as directors (principal investigators/project directors) for proposals supported over time by this program. Current and past awardees from other BWF programs are eligible to apply.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: burroughs wellcome fund

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 21 T.W. Alexander Drive Durham, NC 27713-2847 (919) 991-5100

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