Frequently Asked Questions
 
What is the A. P. Giannini Foundation?
A. P. Giannini, the founder of the Bank of America, established the A. P. Giannini Foundation, in 1945.

The A. P. Giannini Foundation supports medical research fellowships and organizations engaged in research and education to improve the quality of life for people with hemophilia.

What is the A. P. Giannini Foundation Fellowship?
The Fellowship Program supports innovative medical research in the basic sciences or applied fields conducted by promising postdoctoral investigators in the early stage of their career.

Proposed research projects should advance the translation of biomedical science into new treatments, preventions and cures for human diseases and contribute to the alleviation of human suffering.

How Many Fellowships Has the Foundation Awarded?
Since 1951, the Foundation has awarded 600 fellowships to postdoctoral biomedical researchers at California’s eight accredited medical schools.

The Foundation awards six to eight new fellowships annually on a competitive, peer-review basis. Fellowships can be funded up to a maximum of three years based on satisfactory performance.

What are the Eligibility and Qualification Requirements?
Eligible candidates must be United States citizens or permanent alien residents. They must hold, or complete, a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy or equivalent degree before activating the fellowship.

Candidates with 0-3 years of postdoctoral training are eligible to apply. The Foundation will not consider a candidate with a tenured or tenure-track research position or a faculty appointment.

All candidates must be sponsored by one of California's eight accredited medical schools. Candidates must perform their research under the mentorship of a principal investigator of the sponsoring institution.

The Foundation encourages candidates to use the fellowship to broaden their postdoctoral training and experience rather than work in a laboratory where they have already received extensive postdoctoral training. It is the candidate’s responsibility to make all arrangements for the proposed training with an appropriate mentor and institution, prior to formal application.

What are the Responsibilities of the Sponsor and Principal Investigator?
The principal investigator must be willing to supervise the candidate's research training and guarantee the candidate will have adequate laboratory space, equipment and supplies throughout the fellowship. The principal investigator may supervise a maximum of two Giannini fellows in any one year.

What are the Fellowship Stipends?
The current stipend is $41,000 in Year 1, $42,000 in Year 2 and $44,000 in Year 3.

The Foundation reviews the competitiveness of the fellowship stipends each year and will announce the 2010 fellowship stipends after October 21, 2009.

Stipend payments are made directly to the sponsoring institution and can only be used for salaries. First year fellows receive a one-time award of $2,000 to help defray relocation and personal setup expenses. No part of the annual stipend or award may be used for institutional overhead.

Can I accept Another Fellowship or Traineeship?
Fellows may accept another fellowship or traineeship as long as the award does not exceed the A.P. Giannini Foundation stipend each year.

Candidates must state in their application the source and amount of other income they expect to receive during the fellowship. Other income will not preclude favorable consideration of an application.

What Other Grant Conditions apply to the Fellowship?
Candidates awarded a fellowship must comply with the following conditions
  • Activate the fellowship between April 1 and December 1, 2010.

  • Complete at least the first year of the fellowship before accepting another fellowship or traineeship that exceeds the dollar amount of the A. P. Giannini Foundation stipend.

  • Notify the Foundation promptly if their plans change and they are unable to continue the fellowship. The fellowship cannot be transferred to a different mentor or institution.

  • Devote at least 80% of their time to research. Fellows may include some time for study and clinical experience.

  • Submit a brief report at the end of each grant year to the Foundation describing the progress of their research project and fellowship experience.

  • Acknowledge the support of the A. P. Giannini Foundation in all published papers resulting from their research and provide the Foundation with a reprint of each publication.
When can I start My Fellowship?
The Fellowship can be activated anytime from April 1 through December 1, 2010.
Where can I obtain a Fellowship Application Form?
Candidates must use the 2010 application form to apply to the 2010 Fellowship Program. The 2010 application form is available online at www.apgianninifoundation.org and from the A. P. Giannini Foundation.

What do I need to Include with My Application?
Candidates should work closely with their principal investigator (prospective supervisor) and grants officer to prepare their application in advance of the deadline to avoid error and omission.

All components of the application for the 2010 Fellowship Program must arrive at the Foundation no later than 2 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. The Foundation will not consider late applications nor accept applications by email or fax.

Letters of Reference

The Foundation requires three reference letters from professors, supervisors or collaborators who are familiar with the candidate’s work during the past three years. The candidate’s principal investigator (prospective supervisor) cannot be one of the three references.

One of the three references for candidates holding a Ph.D. degree must be the doctoral thesis advisor. Candidates with an M.D. degree should ask for a letter from their Chief Resident or someone equivalent.

Referees should comment on the candidate’s scientific background, achievements and ability to contribute to the field of research. Referees may e-mail their letters to the Foundation at on a PDF file or mail their letters to the Foundation at 57 Post Street, Suite 510, San Francisco, CA 94104.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the Foundation receives all Letters of Reference by the November 10, 2009 deadline.


Application Items
(PLEASE DO NOT STAPLE ANY DOCUMENTS)

The completed application includes one copy of the following documents.

The 2010 Application Form.
Candidates must use the 2010 Application Form to apply to the 2010 Fellowship Program.

Curriculum vitae and bibliography of publications.
(Please do not send copies of published articles, colored photographs or other visuals.)

Non-technical Statement (not to exceed 200 words).
Title and brief description of the proposed research for non-scientific audience.

Significance of the Proposed Research (not to exceed one page). Describe the practical application of the research beyond the laboratory and its potential to advance the translation of basic biomedical sciences into new treatments, preventions and cures for human diseases and contribute to the alleviation of human suffering.

Technical Statement of the proposed research (not to exceed five pages, excluding bibliography).
Outline the significance of the research problem, the hypotheses, methodology, expected results, and the dates when the research will begin and be completed.

Curriculum Vita of Principal Investigator (not to exceed two pages).
Include a list of public and private research grants and institutional funding.

Endorsement Letter from the Principal Investigator (Prospective Supervisor).
Prospective supervisors should comment on the significance of the candidate's proposed research and research potential. They should state their willingness to accept and supervise the candidate if awarded a fellowship; guarantee adequate laboratory space, equipment and supplies; and reimburse an out-of-state candidate for travel expense to California for an interview.

Where Do I Send My Completed Application?
All applications and reference letters should be sent to:

John and Ken Blum, Administrative Directors
A. P. Giannini Foundation
57 Post Street, Suite 510
San Francisco, CA 94104

What happens After I submit My Application?
The Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee reviews and ranks all applications and selects candidates for personal interviews. All candidates will be advised of their status in the review process by January 15, 2010.


When are the Interviews held?
The Scientific Advisory Committee will interview the finalists for the 2010 Fellowship Program on Friday, February 26, 2010. The Foundation will notify finalists of the time and place of their interview and will reimburse them for reasonable travel expenses within California.

When will the Foundation announce the 2010 Awards?
The Foundation will notify the finalists of the 2010 awardees by March 1, 2010.


For Further Questions About the Fellowship Program or Application Procedures, please call or email Ken and John Blum, Administrators, at (415) 981-2966 or