Program Guidelines:

• Projects proposed for the BYI program should be truly innovative, high-risk, and show promise for contributing to significant advances in chemistry and the life sciences. They should represent a departure from current research directions rather than an extension or expansion of existing programs. Proposed research that cuts across traditional boundaries of scientific disciplines is encouraged. Proposals that open new avenues of research in chemistry and life sciences by fostering the invention of methods, instruments and materials will be given additional consideration.
• The BYI program funds promising young scientists early in their careers who have not yet received a major award from another organization. Proposals that already have substantial funding will not be considered for the BYI award (see eligibility for more information).
• Projects are normally funded for a period of four years. Grants are in the range of $600,000 ($150,000 annually) over the term of the project, contingent upon demonstrated progress after the second year of the award.
• The Foundation does not provide for overhead or for indirect costs.

Program Eligibility:

• The BYI program is open to those within the first four years of a tenure-track position, or an equivalent independent research appointment, at a United States academic or non-profit institution that conducts research in chemical and life sciences. Tenure Track Start Date for the 2025 program must be after January 1, 2020, through August 1, 2024. 
• Persons who have applied for permanent residency but have not received their government documentation are eligible to apply; Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States prior to the BYI Interview (late March) to remain eligible. Applicants with conditional permanent residency who have received Form I-797 are eligible to apply. See the application for more information.
• No individual may apply for a Beckman Young Investigator award more than two times.
• Investigators can have no more than $225,000 in direct, annualized external funding grants during any BYI Program Year (Aug-July) at time of application. Start-up funds, department-wide instrumentation grants, and "Transition" grants (such as NIH K99/R00) received as a postdoc are not counted toward this total.
• The Foundation does not support clinical research, clinical trials, or single target drug discovery projects. Individuals with strictly clinical appointments are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have no more than 10 years post terminal degree; and no more than 5 years’ experience in a non-tenure track or industry position.
• Institutions are not limited in the number of applicants who apply at the Letter of Intent stage.
• Institutions with a currently funded BYI are eligible for award consideration