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How Lilly's Research Award Program (LRAP) works, and finding an internal sponsor

The official LRAP rules, and generic, practical ways to find a Lilly scientist to initiate a proposal. Checked 30 Oct 2026.

From official sources

The rules

  • LRAP gives Lilly scientists working on basic and applied research projects an avenue to partner with external researchers worldwide.[1]
  • "Research proposals must be initiated by Lilly scientists and then prepared jointly by the Lilly scientist sponsoring the project and an external investigator, according to guidelines established by Lilly."[1]
  • A panel of Lilly scientists reviews proposals and prioritises them on novelty (including potential impact), expertise of the external investigator, and feasibility (including integrating internal and external work plans).[1]
  • Decisions, with written feedback, go to the internal Lilly sponsor approximately 45 days after each application cycle closes.[1]
  • The programme is pre-competitive, so Lilly and external researchers can publish results jointly. Programme questions: LRAP@lilly.com.[1]

Not publicly stated: Award amounts, cycle dates, how external researchers are matched with a sponsor.

Our guidance

The Grant Lattice's own suggestions, not a statement by any funder, company or centre.

  • Start from the science, not the programme - a sponsor has to want the project, so look for a specific problem you share with a Lilly research group.
  • Search recent papers in your field for co-authors with a Lilly affiliation, and read what they work on before writing.
  • Look at conference programmes in your area for talks or sessions given by Lilly scientists, and follow up on a talk you attended.
  • If your institution works with a centre that names Lilly (see the company page), ask that centre's industry or partnerships team for an introduction.
  • Ask your own corporate-relations or technology-transfer office whether they already have a Lilly contact.
  • Keep the first message short and non-confidential - the shared problem, your relevant result and a question - and ask about LRAP only once there is mutual interest.

Have an idea, need to network? Tell us Early-career researchers: share a research idea and who you’d like to reach. We read every submission; it’s not a guarantee of an introduction.

Sources (1)

  1. Lilly Research Award Program (LRAP) (lilly.com) · www.lilly.com · checked 30 Oct 2026 (by hand; the site does not allow automated checks)

Always confirm on the official page.