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BRET Career Development ASPIRE Program

Richard M. Caprioli Award for Technology Education

Richard Caprioli, Ph.D., Stanford Moore Chair in Biochemistry and Director Emeritus of the Mass Spectrometry Research Center, pioneered technological advances that enabled research in diverse fields. For more than 50 years, Dr. Caprioli mentored and trained the next generation of scientists to apply state-of-the-art methodologies and instrumentation to their research.

To honor and continue this legacy, the Richard Caprioli Basic Sciences Research Award for Technology Education Fund was established to allow Vanderbilt University Ph.D. students in the School of Medicine to pursue an opportunity to obtain hands-on training and education in one or more new technologies outside of those obtained in their graduate research training. The scholarship will be awarded to a Ph.D. student to enhance the approach to their research program.

The award will fund travel and other related costs to attend a workshop or obtain hands-on training at in an expert laboratory. Mentor and student should plan the application together since this opportunity enhances both the student’s and the faculty mentor’s work. We anticipate two application cycles each academic year, with one award made in the spring and the second in the fall.  Awards will be made in an amount up to $4,500.

Eligibility:

  • Applicant must be a current Ph.D. student in Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Cancer Biology, Cell & Developmental Biology, Chemical & Physical Biology, Chemistry, Human Genetics, Microbe-Host Interactions, Molecular Pathology & Immunology, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Neuroscience, or Pharmacology.
  • The training experience will occur more than one year before the applicant’s dissertation defense.
  • The training experience must commence before the end of the fiscal year in which it is awarded.

Ideal candidates will:

  1. Have identified an opportunity to enhance their graduate research with training in a technology, methodology, or instrumentation access outside of those found on the Vanderbilt campus.
  2. Exhibit strong ability to work independently and enthusiasm for learning new methodologies and approaches.

How to apply:Applications open November 10, 2025. Applicants will need to provide a cover letter describing the training opportunity and the value it will add to their scientific development. They will also need to submit a CV, an anticipated budget and breakdown of expenses, and an anticipated timeline for the training opportunity. Additionally, their faculty advisor must submit a letter of support addressing the above items.

Application Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025CaprioliFund

Deadline to apply: December 8, 2025, for all application materials. The awardee will be notified in early January 2026, and funds will be available to spend thereafter. The experience must commence before June 30, 2026.

For more questions, please reach out to Kim Petrie, PhD, Director, BRET Office Career Development ASPIRE Program and Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Development at kim.petrie@vanderbilt.edu.

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