Grants and giving


Vertex and the Vertex Foundation fund a variety of programs in the countries in which we operate to educate healthcare professionals, strengthen scientific research, encourage innovation and fulfil unmet needs in the community.

close up of a pipette being inserted into a vial


Vertex and the Vertex Foundation fund a variety of programs in the countries in which we operate to educate healthcare professionals, strengthen scientific research, encourage innovation and fulfil 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 living with cystic fibrosis and other serious diseases where we focus our research. Vertex supports independent research; educational programs and initiatives aimed at educating healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and the scientific community. We also provide organisational sponsorships and corporate memberships to support 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, carers and society.

Learn more about our external funding process by reading the information below, review our Frequently Asked Questions or or visit the Vertex Request Management System by clicking the "Learn More and Apply" button.

Vertex will not consider requests from organisations that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, national origin, veteran's status or disability.

Grants

We support enhancing medical and scientific knowledge and patient education to improve health outcomes for patients. In the areas where our research is focused, we consider requests from organisations for grants related to the below areas.  

Pen sitting on top of grant application form
Independent medical education programs (accredited and non-accredited)

Areas we support

  • We review grant requests related to:

    • Beta thalassaemia

    • Cystic fibrosis

    • Sickle cell disease

    • Type 1 diabetes*

         *Limited budget available

Patient education and advocacy programs, projects and initiatives

Areas we support

  • We review grant requests related to:

    • Beta thalassaemia

    • Cystic fibrosis

    • Sickle cell disease

    • Type 1 diabetes*

         *Limited budget available

 

Sponsorships

Vertex is committed to supporting the medical, scientific and local non-profit 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.

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  • We review requests for sponsorships, exhibits and corporate memberships related to:

    • Cystic fibrosis

    • Sickle cell disease

    • Beta thalassaemia

    • Alpha-1 antitrypsin disease

    • APOL1-mediated kidney disease

    • Pain

    • Duchenne muscular dystrophy

    • Type 1 diabetes

    • Non-healthcare related

Independent research opportunities

We offer independent research opportunities to fuel the next generation of scientists and academics 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 to develop and deliver innovative treatments that improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients, carers and families.  

An image of a scientist's hand pulling two test tubes out of a rack

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:

  • Clinical studies investigating a specific intervention 

  • Observational studies evaluating a disease state (e.g., epidemiological and outcomes studies) 

  • Non-clinical 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


We review applications for the following areas related to CF: 

  • Disease state 

  • Studies involving approved Vertex medicines 

CF award programs

Vertex offers three competitive grant programs focused on advancing scientific and clinical research in the field and supporting the cystic fibrosis community. 

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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 lives. 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.

A female Vertex scientist works under the hood on an experiment
CF Research Innovation Awards

Vertex CF Research Innovation Awards (RIA) are highly competitive grants created to inspire and support the next generation of doctors, scientists and academics who are working to advance 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.

A scientist examines a test tube vial while working on a computer
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.

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.  

Vertex Foundation volunteer working on a construction project
The Vertex Foundation focuses its support on four areas: 
  • STEAM education to support the next generation of innovators 

  • Social innovation, partnering with organisations that utilise innovative approaches to address challenges in our communities 

  • Healthy families, supporting organisations that improve quality of life for families with children living with serious diseases 

  • Community support, by giving back to communities through our Vertex employee engagement programs and by providing donations during times of disaster 

The Foundation supports projects and organisations with a strong commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity and seeks to promote these values through all of its programs. 

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The Vertex Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organisation. It is a separate legal entity from Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.