Child Health Research Awards Program

The Charles H. Hood Foundation’s Child Health Research Awards Program is a targeted initiative designed to support early-career researchers committed to advancing pediatric health outcomes. Incorporated in 1942, the Foundation has long maintained its mission to improve the quality of life for children, particularly within the New England region. Through this grant program, the Foundation provides vital early-stage support to junior faculty scientists and physician-researchers seeking to develop independent research careers. Since its inception, the program has backed over 688 investigators working in various domains, including basic science, clinical investigation, public health, epidemiology, and health services research, all with a direct focus on improving child health. The award offers a total of $200,000 over a two-year period, disbursed as $100,000 annually. This amount includes a 10% allowance for indirect institutional costs. Up to five awards are made each cycle, and funding can be used to establish foundational data, expand lab capacity through hiring postdocs or research assistants, and catalyze the transition to larger-scale funding such as NIH R01 or K-series grants. Testimonials from past recipients consistently underscore the critical role the Hood Foundation funding played in enabling preliminary data collection, staff expansion, and increased competitiveness for federal grants. A revised application process begins with the September 2026 cycle. The updated procedure adopts a two-step submission model to streamline evaluations. Applicants must first submit a Concept Paper by April 15, 2026, by 12:00 noon Eastern Time, which briefly outlines the project’s scientific goals, methodology, and relevance to pediatric health. Only selected applicants from this initial phase will be invited to submit a full proposal, due by July 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon Eastern Time. This phased review process is intended to reduce applicant burden while ensuring scientific alignment with the Foundation’s objectives. Eligible applicants include PhD-level scientists within five years and physician-scientists within seven years of completing training, who currently hold faculty appointments and lead independent research programs at nonprofit academic, medical, or research institutions located within New England. Projects must be hypothesis-driven and clearly demonstrate relevance to child health. While the program welcomes a broad range of disciplines, all proposals must be grounded in scientifically rigorous methodology with clearly articulated impact on pediatric health outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to consult the full application guidelines, FAQs, and required forms—including the Concept Paper Face Sheet and Budget Template—available on the Foundation’s official website. Communication with the Foundation is facilitated through Charlene Mancusi, who may be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at 617-279-2230 for additional information or clarification. The award period spans from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2028. Given the Foundation’s history of annual funding cycles, and explicit instructions that the next round will commence in September 2026 with concept papers due in April, the program demonstrates a recurring pattern. Researchers interested in future cycles are encouraged to monitor the Foundation's website and LinkedIn page for announcements and updates.

Highlight direct relevance to child health and long-term research potential to improve competitiveness for NIH grants.