Vanderbilt Diabetes Center Discovery Program
Pilot & Feasibility Guidelines for 2013
Deadline: March 15, 2013, 11:00 pm (CDT)
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. This P&F support is targeted to any investigator, new or established, proposing to utilize the VICB High-Throughput Screening Facility, BioVU, or the Vanderbilt Mass Spectrometry Research Center Cores to launch new research programs in drug, gene, or biomarker discovery related to diabetes, obesity, or the complications thereof. DRTC P&F grants are intended to 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. This DRTC P&F grant mechanism is intended to support one year of research, although a second year of funding is possible through competitive application. Some examples of studies eligible for research P&F funding are:
1. A study proposed by an investigator to develop a high throughput screen, or executing an already developed, but unfunded screen, for small molecules active at a target relevant to diabetes or obesity, or complications thereof.
2. A study proposed by an investigator to utilize BioVU to identify genes relevant to the development of diabetes, obesity, or complications thereof.
3. A study by an investigator proposing to utilize mass spectrometry to identify biomarkers for diabetes, obesity, or complications thereof in either patients or animal models.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: The application should be submitted on the NIH form PHS 398, which can be obtained from the website: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.
The pages we require are:
face page
abstract
key personnel
detailed budget
budget entire period
budget justification
biosketch(es)
resources
research description (FIVE PAGE LIMIT)
literature cited pages
Letter of collaboration from the director of the shared resource to be used (VICB High-Throughput Screening Facility, BioVU, or the Mass Spectrometry Research Center)
Letter(s) of collaboration
The application must be assembled into a single PDF document that contains all grant materials including budget information (maximum: $50,000 direct cost/year, 5% PI salary support) and letters of collaboration. 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; this letter should also be included in the PDF.
Submit the following by the deadline: March 15, 11:00 pm (CDT)
1. The PDF should be submitted electronically to dc.brown@vanderbilt.edu.
2. FOUR hard copies (stapled) should be delivered to Ms. Deborah Brown in room 807 Light Hall. Note that it is NOT necessary for the application to go through the Office of Sponsored Programs (formerly Office of Grants and Contracts Management) 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. Roger Cone (615-936-7085 or roger.cone@vanderbilt.edu). For questions about the grant submission process, please contact Ms. Deborah Brown (615-322-7990 or dc.brown@vanderbilt.edu).
REVIEW CRITERIA: Proposed P&F 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. This P&F proposal is focused on stimulating use of novel discovery resources at Vanderbilt for advancement of knowledge in diabetes and obesity. Successful applications must therefore be focused upon discovery science predominantly dependent upon novel use of the VICB High-Throughput Screening Facility, BioVU, or the Mass Spectrometry Research Center Cores. Preliminary data using these resources is not required, but the work should be at a stage where it can begin when funding starts. Grants may 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.
Funding start date: July 1, 2013.
Funded investigators will be asked to prepare a progress report and participate in the DRTC Seminar Series and Diabetes Day Program.
