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News from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Call for Applications: Epigenetics CoBRE Pilot Grants

The UND CoBRE for Epigenomics of Development and Disease is announcing a new pilot grant program for 2022-23. The funding opportunity is a short-term pilot grant program designed to allow researchers to generate preliminary data using epigenomics platforms to increase their ability to compete for extramural awards. This is a competitive pilot grant program to support novel, innovative research that fits with the overall goal of the CoBRE to investigate epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms in biological systems.

Pre-proposal form due date: February 20, 2022

Application due date: April 1, 2022

Award amount: We anticipate funding 3 proposals with a maximum budget of $40,000 direct costs for one year.

Eligibility: Faculty members at the University of North Dakota in basic science/clinical/translational/ population health or related areas are encouraged to apply. Investigators holding a role as Principal Investigator on other NIH IDeA funding mechanisms are not eligible.

Overview: Proposals must have relevance to the CoBRE mission of epigenetic or transcriptional mechanisms in development or disease, and must include an Epigenetics Group member to serve as an expert consultant. Collaborators are allowed, but funds can be provided only to personnel from North Dakota institutions.

Submission Process: Prior to submission of a full proposal, applicants are required to submit a pre-proposal consisting of the project title and abstract (150 words maximum) on the “Pilot Grant Form 2022” at https://und.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8uzyIi1nixAasfQ. Applicants will be contacted by a representative from the Epigenetics Group to discuss the specific aims and approach for the full proposal and assist with identification of an appropriate Epigenetics Group consultant. The Genomics Core Director will also meet with applicants whose proposal includes Illumina sequencing/Nanopore/10xGenomics. These advisory meetings are aimed at assisting investigators in crafting the strongest possible proposals for subsequent review.

Application Format: Full proposals should be prepared in general accord with the NIH PHS 398 application guidelines, (revised 01/2018, available from http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html).

Evaluation: Full proposals will be evaluated based upon the standard NIH criteria (Significance, Approach, Innovation, Investigator, Environment), the ability to expand novel research capabilities in the CoBRE, and the potential for the data generated to support competitive proposals for extramural funding. Proposals will be selected through a competitive review process and will require approval by the CoBRE External Advisory Board and the NIH prior to initiation.

If the proposed study involves human subjects, the following documents will need to be submitted to NIH prior to award notice:

  • Written protocol addressing the risks and protections for human subjects, in accordance with the NIH’s Instructions for NIH’s Instructions for Preparing the Human Subjects Section of the Research Plan
  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
  • Human Subjects education certification
  • Create Inclusion Data Record (IDR) and enter inclusion data in Inclusion Management System (IMS)
  • If the proposed project involves clinical trials, in addition to above documents, the following documents must also be submitted to NIH:
    • Specific plans for data and safety monitoring
    • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification

If the proposal involves Vertebrate Animals, IACUC approval and the Vertebrate Animal Section will also need to be submitted to NIH prior to award notice.

Pre-proposal submissions are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 20, 2022. Full proposals are due by 5 p.m. on April 1, 2022, and should be submitted by email to Jennifer Henry at jennifer.henry@UND.edu. Awards are scheduled to begin July 1, 2022, and end on June 30, 2023.