The Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards support outstanding researchers who are embarking, or continuing, on their independent research careers. The two-year grant prioritizes investigators proposing to conduct impactful research studies that will advance our translational understanding of, or lead to improved clinical treatment of, any serious medical conditions that affect the health of a woman's pregnancy or the health of mothers and newborns in the first year postpartum. Applications should focus on preterm birth and health equity. They should clearly outline a path from discovery to functional studies to clinical translation, with the eventual goal to cure or greatly mitigate conditions that adversely impact the health of pregnant women and newborns. MD or MD/PhD applicants should be four to nine years past the last year of clinical training required for medical specialty board certification and must hold a full-time tenure-track faculty position (or equivalent) at their current U. S. based institution. For PhD scientists, the same timeline applies, but the four to nine year window begins upon completion of their terminal degree. They must have either primary or secondary appointments in clinical departments related to maternal or child health. A Letter of Nomination from the applicant's Chair must be submitted. Two Letters of Recommendation are also required; one must be from the applicant's postdoctoral mentor and the second letter of reference is of the applicant's choosing. Please visit the award's website for more information.