The secret to succeeding in science might just lie at the intersection of disciplines.
For early-career scientists, the path from postdoctoral training to an independent faculty position is famously difficult—a bottleneck often called the "postdoc pile-up." This transition is particularly challenging for those working at the intersection of established fields, where traditional funding mechanisms can be risk-averse.
This article explores how one unique fellowship, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund's Career Award at the Scientific Interface (CASI), has not only navigated this challenge but has also proven to be a powerful launchpad, setting scientists on a trajectory for exceptional long-term success 1 .
The CASI program demonstrates that targeted support for interdisciplinary scientists during the vulnerable postdoc-to-faculty transition can dramatically enhance long-term career success.
The journey to becoming an independent scientist is a high-stakes endeavor. After earning a doctorate, researchers typically spend several years as postdoctoral scholars, honing their skills under the guidance of an established scientist. The critical leap to a faculty position, where they can lead their own lab and pursue their own research questions, requires securing that first major grant.
This period is fraught with uncertainty. A 2023 analysis of over 224,000 funded projects in China confirmed a universal truth in science: researchers with a higher degree of interdisciplinarity tended to receive more projects and higher funding values 3 . Yet, proposing novel research that bridges fields is often perceived as risky. Programs specifically designed to support this postdoc-to-faculty transition are therefore vital in nurturing the next generation of scientific innovators 1 6 .
Recognizing this need, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) established the Career Awards at the Scientific Interface (CASI) program in 2002 1 . Its goal was explicit: to support early-career scientists with doctoral training in fields like physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering who were now applying their expertise to biological questions 1 .
The CASI program provides a five-year, $560,000 award (recently increased from $500,000 to keep pace with rising costs), covering two years of postdoctoral training and three years of early faculty support 1 . Notably, the award includes a forward-thinking provision of up to $5,000 per year for childcare, acknowledging the significant caregiving responsibilities that can impact a researcher's career 1 .
The study was designed as a robust, comparative analysis. Researchers gathered data on 513 unique CASI applicants from 2007 to 2017, dividing them into three groups 1 :
Scientists who received the CASI.
Those who reached the final interview stage but were not funded.
Those whose initial applications were declined.
To provide an additional benchmark, they matched 125 CASI applicants with researchers who had received the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) comparable Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) during the same period 1 . In total, the career outcomes of 638 unique researchers were tracked and analyzed, focusing on a key metric of success: their ability to secure subsequent federal grants 1 .
The findings, published in a 2024 retrospective analysis, were striking. When compared to the other groups, CASI awardees consistently outperformed their peers in securing competitive federal funding 1 .
The advantage for CASI awardees wasn't just a one-time boost. As they progressed in their careers, their rate of success in obtaining federal grants continued to outpace that of their peers, including the highly competitive K99/R00 recipients 1 .
The following table compares the median outcomes across the different groups studied, highlighting the relative success of CASI awardees.
| Group | Median Number of Federal Grants | Median Total Funding | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASI Awardees | Higher than other groups | Significantly higher | Ph.D. in physical/computational sciences; postdoc in biology |
| K99/R00 Awardees (NIH) | Lower than CASI | Lower than CASI | Broadly focused on biomedical research; required U.S. citizenship/permanent residency |
| CASI Interviewed (Not Funded) | Lower than CASI awardees | Lower than CASI awardees | Strong applicants who reached final stage |
| CASI Proposal Declined | Lowest of the groups | Lowest of the groups | Unsuccessful applicants |
The following visualization shows how CASI awardees maintained their advantage in federal grant success rates over time compared to other strong candidates who were interviewed but not funded.
The CASI award does more than provide a financial bridge; it fundamentally enhances a scientist's ability to build a sustainable research career 1 .
CASI awardees' success in obtaining federal grants continued to outpace peers as they progressed in their careers 1 .
The study's results challenge the pessimistic outlook that interdisciplinary work can hinder a young scientist's career. On the contrary, the CASI model demonstrates that such training can be a major asset.
Scientists who bring tools from computer science, physics, or engineering into biology are equipped to tackle complex problems in novel ways, from modeling the spread of diseases to developing new diagnostic technologies. This unique skill set appears to make them more competitive for grants in the long run. The success of CASI awardees underscores a broader trend identified in global research: interdisciplinarity is a key driver of scientific impact and funding success 3 .
Provides financial stability during the vulnerable postdoc-to-faculty transition, allowing focus on high-risk, high-reward research.
A community of peers and mentors across fields that fosters collaboration and innovation.
Alleviates personal burdens that disproportionately affect early-career researchers, promoting equity and retention.
Objective analysis of career outcomes to validate program effectiveness and guide future funding policies.
The retrospective analysis of the CASI program offers more than just a report card on one fellowship. It provides a powerful, data-driven model for how to cultivate scientific talent effectively. By making a strategic bet on interdisciplinary pioneers and providing them with robust, long-term support, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund has not only invigorated the careers of over 200 scientists but has also enriched the entire scientific enterprise 1 .
References will be added here in the appropriate citation format.