Applications due April 15 for host-pathogen interaction pilot project program

In anticipation of next year’s funding, we are requesting second round Seed Grant Applications.  The Center for Host-Pathogen Interactions at UND supported by NIH COBRE grant P20GM113123 seeks applications for pilot research studies in the field of host-pathogen interactions. This request for applications is open to all tenured, tenure-track, research-track and clinical-track faculty at UND. The goal of this Pilot Project Program is to promote new research in the field of host-pathogen interaction and extend the current research into novel directions with high potential for acquiring R01-level extramural funding support. It is expected that this program will attract investigators into the research area of infectious diseases, foster new collaborations among new and existing investigators and promote the utilization of flow cytometry and histopathology core facilities supported by this host-pathogen interaction COBRE.

The Pilot Project Program will include two types of awards:

• Mentored Investigator award. The mentored Investigator award is intended for the expansion of the existing infectious disease group and is targeted towards junior investigators. The purpose of this award is to increase the competitiveness of new and early stage investigators conducting research that is directly related to the theme of the host-pathogen COBRE. The application should include a support letter from the proposed mentor agreeing to participate and support the applicant and project. The applicants of this award are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the mentoring program offered by this COBRE to identify a suitable mentor. We anticipate funding up to 2 proposals with a maximum budget of $25,000 for one year renewable for addition years depending on the progress of the project and the availability of funds.

• Discovery award. The discovery award is focused on providing strategic support to the projects that will not only expand the infectious disease group, but will have a high likelihood of leading to an R01 or program project grants. This award is mainly targeted towards senior investigators, but junior investigators with demonstrated capability are also allowed to apply. We expect to fund up to 4 proposals for up to $30,000 for one year renewable for addition years depending on the progress of the project and the availability of funds.

Each proposal should include the following sections:

1. NIH face page
2. NIH Page 2&3: Summary, Relevance, Project/Performance Sites, Senior/Key Personnel
3. Budget using NIH forms
4. Budget justification
5. Biographical Sketch(es) of PI and Key Personnel
6. Proposal (3 page limit including specific aims, significance, innovation and research strategy. Bibliography is not included in the 3-page limit)
7. History or Success from Prior Awards (1 page maximum outlining the progress on that prior work, including publications and extramural funding)
8. NIH Human subjects, if applicable
9. Vertebrate animal’s justification and protection, if applicable
10. Letters of support

Expectations

Investigators funded through this mechanism will be strongly encouraged to participate in mentoring program offered by this COBRE. The use of core facilities supported by the host-pathogen interaction COBRE is strongly encouraged for the proposed studies. The awardees will be required to submit a progress report including publications as well as proof of an R/P level (R01, or R21 or P01) grant for extramural support. Awardees are required to cite the COBRE grant (NIH P20GM113123) on all publications.

Timeline

Proposals should be submitted by email to Angie Olson (angela.j.olson@med.und.edu) by 5 p.m. April 15, 2017. Awards are scheduled to begin May 1, 2017.

Budget

Allowable costs include salary support for graduate students or staff and supplies. Funds cannot be used for PI’s salary, travel and equipment purchase greater than $5,000.

Evaluation

Each COBRE Pilot Project will be evaluated in two steps. In the first step, proposals will be evaluated based on scientific merit using the NIH scoring system. Proposals will be scored on a scale of 1 (best) through 9 (worst) based on significance, investigators, innovation, approach, environment (pertaining to research being proposed and the use of core labs) and an overall impact score (based on the high likelihood of success as a fully developed NIH proposal and the scope of work corresponding to the priorities of the COBRE program). In the second step the COBRE Internal Advisory Committee will determine which grants to recommend for funding based on the priority scores and the COBRE mission. Final approval for funding will be made by the External Advisory Committee, with approval from the NIH.

Contact

For additional information contact Brij B Singh, COBRE PI at (701) 777-0834 or brij.singh@med.und.edu.