The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is an independent private foundation dedicated to advancing the medical sciences by supporting research and other scientific and educational activities. Within this broad mandate, BWF's general strategy is to help scientists early in their careers develop as independent investigators, and to support investigators who are working in, or entering, fields in the biomedical sciences that are poised for significant advance but currently undervalued and underfunded. BWF encourages applications from physician-scientists, women, and underrepresented minorities. BWF, which is governed by a Board of Directors composed of distinguished scientists and business leaders, is not affiliated with any corporation.

With its endowment of more than $650 million, BWF makes approximately $25 million in grants annually. BWF channels its financial support primarily through competitive award programs, which are directed by advisory committees composed of leading scientists and educators. Most awards are made to degree-granting institutions on behalf of individual researchers who must be nominated by their institutions. All award programs are open to U.S. and Canadian scientists (except as noted in the program descriptions).

For more information, see http://www.bwfund.org/
 

from: http://www.bwfund.org/about_us/fact_sheet.html