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 funding programs and initiatives that advance the knowledge and care for people around the world living with cystic fibrosis and other serious diseases where we focus our research. Vertex supports independent research, educational programs and initiatives aimed at educating health care professionals, patients, caregivers and the scientific community. We also provide organizational sponsorships and corporate memberships to fund programs and initiatives for 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.
Vertex will not consider requests from organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, national origin, veteran status or disability.
Learn more about our external funding process by reading the information below, reviewing our Frequently Asked Questions or visiting the Vertex Request Management System by clicking one of the "Learn More and Apply" buttons below.
Grants
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)
Areas we support
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We review grant requests related to:
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APOL1-mediated kidney disease*
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Beta thalassemia
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Cystic fibrosis
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Pain
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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
Areas we support
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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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Pain
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Sickle cell disease
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Type 1 diabetes*
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*Limited budget available
Sponsorships
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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Alpha-1 antitrypsin disease
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APOL1-mediated kidney disease
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Beta thalassemia
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Cystic fibrosis
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Duchenne muscular dystrophy
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Non-healthcare related
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Pain
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Sickle cell disease
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Type 1 diabetes
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Independent research opportunities
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
We consider funding and/or drug support for the following categories 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
Areas we support
We review Investigator Sponsored Study requests related to:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pain
- Please note, Vertex is only accepting pain study proposals in the U.S., and these requests will not be reviewed until 2025
We review applications for the following areas:
- Disease state
- Studies involving approved Vertex medicines
Cystic fibrosis (CF) award programs
Vertex offers three competitive grant programs focused on advancing scientific and clinical research in the field and in support of the CF 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 USD 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.