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Richard M. Caprioli Award for Technology Education

richard caprioli award branding image

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. Applicants should apply in appropriate cycle for their anticipated travel dates. Awards will be made for actual expenses, up to $4,500.

Application Cycle 1 (August 1-August 31)

  • Awards made by September 15
    • workshops or courses held October 1-March 30
    • travel to another institution starting within nine months of the application deadline.
Application Cycle 2 (February 1-February 28)
  • Timing of eligible activities:
    • workshops or courses happening April 1-September 30
    • travel to another institution occurring within nine months of the application deadline.

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.
  • Applicant must have completed their qualifying exam.
  • The training experience will occur more than one year before the applicant’s dissertation defense.
  • The training experience will occur during the time period corresponding to the current Application Cycle.
  • The award must be used for an experience that requires travel and may not be used for an online course.
  • Students may apply before they have applied or been accepted into a workshop or course. However, the award is restricted to the activity described in the application and forfeited if the applicant is not accepted into that workshop/course.

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 are open from August 1-August 31, 2026. Applicants will need to provide the following to complete the online application:

  1. cover letter describing the training opportunity and the value it will add to your scientific development.
  2. your academic CV
  3. an anticipated budget and breakdown of expenses as well as an anticipated timeline for the training opportunity.
  4. a letter from your faculty advisor with their support of the training opportunity.

Application Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026FallCaprioli 

Deadline to apply: August 31, 2026, at 11:59pm for all application materials. The awardee will be notified around September 15, and funds will be available to spend thereafter. The funds must be expended during the timeframe corresponding to Application Cycle 1.

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