- In Vivo Metabolic
Regulation and Obesity - Islet Development,
Biology, and
Immunology - Complications of
Diabetes - Oxidative stress
- Signal transduction
and Gene Regulation - Clinical Research
- Translational Research
Pilot and Feasibility
The Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (VDRTC) seeks proposals for pilot and feasibility studies in the areas of diabetes, obesity, and diabetes-related complications. Pilot studies in biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, or behavioral research are eligible for DRTC funding. Plot and feasibility grants may be up to $40,000 per year (no indirect costs) and are limited to a maximum of two years support. The deadline for submission is January 7, 2008 with funding to commence on April 1, 2008.
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES RELATING TO PILOT AND FEASIBILITY APPLICATIONS
An individual must be a member of the Vanderbilt or Meharry faculty (Instructor or above) and must fit within NIH Guidelines for eligibility. Pilot and Feasibility support is usually intended for new investigators, for investigators from other fields willing to bring their research expertise to diabetes-relevant research, for investigators currently in the diabetes area whose proposed research would constitute a totally new direction, and for clinical and basic researchers who propose a joint research project. Pilot and Feasibility grants usually provide support for studies that allow an investigator to develop preliminary data sufficient to prepare an application for independent research support through conventional granting mechanisms. An investigator is eligible for such support only once and cannot have received support from similar pilot and feasibility funding mechanism within the institution. Some examples of individuals who are eligible for research Pilot and Feasibility funding are:
1. A study proposed by a new investigator with an interest in a career in research in diabetes or obesity before he/she has yet developed to the point of being able to obtain individual grant support.
2. A study proposed by an established investigator who has experience in other areas and who wants to test ideas related to diabetes or obesity.
3. A study by an established investigator in diabetes or obesity who wants to pursue a question in a totally different area from his/her current research field.
4. A study proposed between clinical and basic investigators (new or established) to test a question of translational relevance to diabetes or obesity.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR PILOT AND FEASIBILITY APPLICATIONS
The application should be electronically submitted on the NIH form PHS 398, which can be obtained from the NIH website: (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html). Please note: there is a FIVE PAGE LIMIT (excluding references) for the research description. The application must be assembled into a single PDF document that contains all grant materials including budget information (maximum: $40,000/year, 5% PI salary support) and letters of collaboration and submitted electronically to Deborah Brown (dc.brown@vanderbilt.edu) by 5 PM on January 7, 2008. Note that it is not necessary for the application to go through the Office of Sponsored Research prior to submission.
QUESTIONS
Persons considering submitting a proposal and not certain of eligibility or persons with questions about Pilot and Feasibility grants should contact Dr. Roland Stein (322-7026 or roland.stein@vanderbilt.edu). For questions about the grant submission process, please contact Deborah Brown (322-7004 or dc.brown@vanderbilt.edu).
REVIEW CRITERIA FOR PILOT AND FEASIBILITY APPLICATIONS
Proposed Pilot and Feasibility studies should present a testable hypothesis and clearly delineate the question being asked, detail procedures to be followed, and discuss how the data will be analyzed and lead to future studies.
Grants receive both internal and external review. Emphasis is placed on how the research might lead to new research ideas or research funding. For junior investigators, additional considerations include how this award will impact your career and the potential of the applicant to compete for independent research funding in the future. Research track faculty must include a letter from his/her laboratory director or departmental chair describing how this award will serve in developing an independent research program and external research funding.
Funded investigators will be asked to prepare a yearly progress report and participate in the VDRTC seminar series and Diabetes Day program.
