Grants
and giving
Vertex and the Vertex Foundation fund a variety of programs in the countries in which we operate to educate health care professionals, strengthen scientific research, encourage innovation and fulfill unmet needs in the community.
Vertex and the Vertex Foundation fund a variety of programs in the countries in which we operate to educate health care professionals, strengthen scientific research, encourage innovation and fulfill unmet needs in the community.
Vertex grants and funding opportunities
Vertex is committed to supporting programs and initiatives that advance the knowledge and care for people around the world with cystic fibrosis and other serious diseases where we focus our research. This includes sponsoring independent research; educating health care professionals; and supporting educational programs and initiatives led by organizations focused on patient advocacy, community education and other scientific efforts related to the areas in which we focus our research. We also provide organizational sponsorships and corporate memberships along with support to leading scientists, researchers, doctors and public health experts who share our vision for transforming the lives of people with serious diseases, their families and society.
Read more about our funding criteria for grants and sponsorships, and click "Apply" to submit a request.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQs, which provide answers to commonly asked questions about our funding process, system and requirements.
We support enhancing medical and scientific knowledge and patient education to improve overall care for patients. In the areas where our research is focused, we consider requests from organizations for grants related to:
Independent medical education programs (accredited and non-accredited)
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We review grant requests related to:
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Beta thalassemia
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Cystic fibrosis
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Sickle cell disease
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Type 1 diabetes*
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*Limited budget available
Patient education and advocacy programs, projects and initiatives
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We review grant requests related to:
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Beta thalassemia
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Cystic fibrosis
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Sickle cell disease
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Type 1 diabetes*
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*Limited budget available
Educational conferences, projects and initiatives
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We review grant requests related to scientific advancement
We welcome inquiries for grants related to our areas of focus. Read more about the entities we support and our exclusion criteria before submitting a request.
Vertex considers requests from the following:
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Academic medical centers and medical universities
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Education or meeting management companies
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Hospitals or community health centers
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Independent medical education providers
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Managed care organizations
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Nonprofit organizations
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Patient advocacy organizations
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Professional associations/societies
Vertex will not consider requests from organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, national origin, veteran's status or disability.
Examples of requests that will not be considered:
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Requests received outside of our required timelines/deadlines
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Requests to support specific individuals
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Requests for personal travel
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Requests for housing or travel for event/program activities
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Requests for capital campaigns, building funds, or operating expenses (e.g. salaries, benefits, furniture, office equipment, rent, or utilities)
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Requests received after the project has started
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Requests for activities held in resorts or other lavish venues or locations
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Requests to support entertainment or recreation, including spa or resort activities
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Requests for events, projects, programs, or initiatives that are focused on Vertex products, are used to directly influence or advance Vertex’s commercial or marketing interests
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Requests for advocacy or lobbying activities directed towards specific legislation
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Requests for costs and expenses that do not have an apparent link with the purpose of the request
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Requests for funding for out of pocket costs for medical care or related items, including transportation and lodging in connection with the provision of medical care
Vertex is committed to supporting the medical, scientific and local nonprofit communities through sponsorships of meetings, events, or other initiatives in exchange for tangible benefits, such as exhibit space, tickets or registration to a funded meeting or event, or other forms of recognition.
Areas we support
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We review requests for sponsorships, exhibits and corporate memberships related to:
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Cystic fibrosis
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Sickle cell disease
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Beta thalassemia
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Alpha-1 antitrypsin disease
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APOL1-mediated kidney disease
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Pain
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Duchenne muscular dystrophy
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Type 1 diabetes
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Non-healthcare related
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We welcome inquiries related to our areas of focus. Read more about the entities we support and our exclusion criteria before submitting a request.
Vertex considers requests from the following:
-
Academic medical centers and medical universities
-
Education or meeting management companies
-
Hospitals or community health centers
-
Independent medical education providers
-
Managed care organizations
-
Nonprofit organizations
-
Patient advocacy organizations
-
Professional associations/societies
Vertex will not consider requests from organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, national origin, veteran's status or disability.
Examples of requests that will not be considered:
-
Requests received outside of our required timelines/deadlines
-
Requests to support specific individuals
-
Requests for personal travel
-
Requests for housing or travel for event/program activities
-
Requests for capital campaigns, building funds, or operating expenses (e.g. salaries, benefits, furniture, office equipment, rent, or utilities)
-
Requests received after the project has started
-
Requests for activities held in resorts or other lavish venues or locations
-
Requests to support entertainment or recreation, including spa or resort activities
-
Requests for events, projects, programs, or initiatives that are focused on Vertex products, are used to directly influence or advance Vertex’s commercial or marketing interests
-
Requests for advocacy or lobbying activities directed towards specific legislation
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Requests for costs and expenses that do not have an apparent link with the purpose of the request
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Requests for funding for out of pocket costs for medical care or related items, including transportation and lodging in connection with the provision of medical care
We offer independent research opportunities to fuel the next generation of researchers who want to dedicate their careers to improving the lives of people with serious diseases. We work with leading researchers, doctors, public health experts and other collaborators who share our vision for transforming the lives of people with serious diseases, their families and society.
Our Investigator Sponsored Study program supports independent, investigator-sponsored research designed to advance scientific knowledge of disease states, patient populations and medical treatments that align with our clinical and scientific areas of interest.
Types of research
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Clinical studies investigating a specific intervention
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Observational studies evaluating a disease state (e.g., epidemiological and outcomes studies)
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Nonclinical studies using Vertex compounds for in vitro assays or in vivo models
Cystic fibrosis (CF) areas of interest
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Natural history in CF and evaluation of novel biomarkers and outcome measures
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Disease modification with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) modulators
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Impact of treatment with CFTR modulators early in disease course
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Non-pulmonary effects of CFTR modulators
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Impact of CFTR modulator use on patient and caregiver burden
We review applications for the following areas related to CF:
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Disease state
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Studies involving approved Vertex medicines
At this time, we are not considering applications for the following:
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Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
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APOL1-mediated kidney disease
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Beta thalassemia
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Cystic fibrosis
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VX-561
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VX-121 + tezacaftor + VX-561
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N-of-1 studies or small studies in patients with rare CFTR mutations
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Response-guided therapy
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Therapeutic drug monitoring
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Drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies
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Gene modifier studies
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Duchenne muscular dystrophy
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Outlicensed molecules (VX-970, VX-803, VX-984)
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Pain
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Sickle cell disease
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Type 1 diabetes
Vertex offers three competitive grant programs focused on advancing scientific and clinical research in the field and supporting the cystic fibrosis community.
Circle of Care
Circle of Care is a global competitive grant opportunity that funds innovative patient-centric programs for the CF community. Each grant cycle, Vertex awards up to $500,000 USD to fund programs that support people with CF to live fuller, more engaged lifestyles. An independent steering committee, comprised of individuals who are part of the CF community, selects the recipients.
Applications
The submission period for the Circle of Care program is closed. For more information, including the next application cycle, please contact vertex_grants@vrtx.com.
CF Research Innovation Awards
Vertex CF Research Innovation Awards (RIA) are highly competitive grants created to inspire and support the next generation of M.D.s and Ph.Ds. who are working to advance the understanding of CF and establish their careers as CF researchers. There are two categories of awards: Independent Research and Mentored Research.
Applications are reviewed and selected by an independent steering committee.
- Independent RIAs provide grants of $750,000 USD distributed over three years to support newly independent faculty members as they establish their own research programs with outstanding promise in CF. Up to two awards are given annually.
- Mentored RIAs provide grants of up to $125,000 USD distributed over two years to support mentored projects with established CF researchers. Up to four awards are given annually.
Applications
The submission period for the RIA Awards program is closed. For more information, including the next application cycle, please contact RIAProgram@vrtx.com.
Vertex Innovation Awards
Vertex Innovation Awards (VIA) support innovative and collaborative clinical research aimed toward improving the care of people with CF. Applications for clinical research projects are welcomed from across the entire field of CF and are to be led by an individual or individuals who have established their career interest in CF. Each year, Vertex awards up to $750,000 USD to four selected projects.
Applications are reviewed and selected by an independent committee of experts outside of Vertex.
Applications
The submission period for the VIA Awards program is closed. For more information, including the next application cycle, please contact VIAProgram@vrtx.com.
Together, Vertex and the Vertex Foundation are committed to giving back. For us, giving back includes providing opportunities to support our communities through charitable giving, research awards, scholarships, sponsorships and more.
Vertex Foundation
The Vertex Foundation seeks to improve the lives of people with serious diseases and contribute to the communities where Vertex is located through education, innovation and health. The charitable 501(c)3 foundation is an extension of Vertex’s corporate giving commitment and was established in 2017.
The Vertex Foundation focuses its support on four areas:
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STEAM education to support the next generation of innovators
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Social innovation to enable innovative solutions to community challenges
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Healthy families to support quality of life for families with children living with serious diseases
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Community support through Vertex employee engagement programs and by providing donations during times of disaster
The Foundation supports projects and organizations with a strong commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity and seeks to promote these values through all of its programs.
Scholarships
Annually, the Vertex Foundation awards scholarships of $5,000 each to recipients in the U.S. and Canada to help people with CF and/or their immediate family members (siblings, caregivers, children and spouses) pursue two-year, four-year or graduate degrees.
The Vertex Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is a separate legal entity from Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.