The NYFIRST medical school grant program aims to support the recruitment or retention of exceptional life science researchers at New York State medical schools. The program offers a maximum grant of $1.0 million, with a requirement for grantees to provide $2 in matching funds for every $1 of NYFIRST program assistance. Eligible expenses include laboratory establishment or upgrades, purchase of capital equipment and specialized supplies, and working capital for professional staff costs.

Eligible applicants are limited to medical schools in New York State, and the recruited or retained Principal Investigator must have a history of translational research and be pursuing innovative solutions for unmet clinical needs with a clear path to commercialization. Additionally, the talent must demonstrate a history of entrepreneurship, be tenured or on a tenure track, hire from outside New York State or retain full-time scientists or doctoral students/post-doctoral fellows, and have potential for significant life sciences economic development benefits in New York State.

For detailed eligibility requirements, funding criteria, and application guidelines, potential applicants should refer to the Life Sciences Initiative Program Guidelines for the New York Fund for Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (NYFIRST) Program.