Call for Translational Research Grants

AHC Translational Research Grant Program

The maximal value of scientific discoveries in the health sciences is achieved when new knowledge can be utilized to improve health by preventing or reversing disease. The AHC Translational Research Grant Program supports the translation of research from the bench to the bedside. We anticipate funding three new grants in 2008.

Overview :

For the purposes of this grant program, translational research is defined as the process of moving basic discoveries through proof-of-concept (eg, screening systems, animal models of disease, etc.) to clinical trials for the purpose of developing a therapy or diagnostic tool. This grant program requires a pairing of at least two co-investigators, either a basic scientist with a translational researcher or a translational researcher with a clinical researcher, in order to move a project down the translational research continuum to or towards a clinical application .

The overall goal is a program that would move concepts developed at this institution from basic work to clinical testing. Successful grantees would need to demonstrate an effective transfer of expertise in the direction of bench-to-bedside. However, not all steps in translation would necessarily be performed within this grant program . The underlying premise is that subsequent to this ?seed? funding, any further development of the research would be funded either by the NIH; foundations; or venture capital, existing pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies.

• Awards will be in the amount of $200,000 or less (over two to three years)
• Awards will be for new projects without outside funding (projects with existing, partial funding will receive lower priority)
• Preference will be given to proposals that create a new collaboration (ie, a new pairing of co-investigators)
• Projects must result in a clinical application within a reasonable number of years and have a defensible timeline of deliverable outcomes
• Consideration will be given to collaborative projects designed to develop university technology that require outside collaborations. This program would provide partial funding of the collaboration if the outside partner also provided (matching) funds.

Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria:

1. Translational Research Grants are available to faculty members in the AHC with an N, P, I, J, or K appointment and employment through the University.
2. The co-investigator may be a faculty member from a non-AHC college or school.
3. The funds must be designated for the direct support of research. In general, funds should be used for supplies and support of research personnel (graduate students or technicians). Funds can be used to support faculty salaries if carefully justified. Up to $25,000 can be allocated to faculty salaries if there is an equivalent (50:50) match from the department/college. Only equipment purchases that are directly required for the research are appropriate. Any equipment purchased must be shared with other faculty in the AHC. No indirect costs should be included in the budget.
4. The primary criteria for funding will be innovation, the quality of the research approach, the potential for future outside funding to sustain or further develop the program, and the likelihood of eventual development of a useful product.

Application Process:

1. The proposal should contain the following information:
   1. Cover page with the following information listed: Title of grant, name of PI, highest degree(s) and academic title of PI, contact information for PI, college of PI, the total amount requested.
   2. Abstract (150 word limit) describing in layman?s terms the research proposed, how the studies will move the work along the translational research continuum and the implications for human health.
   3. Rationale for the research
   4. Research aims and plan. This section should include a full description of the study design, scientific background of the project, scientific approach, and references.
   5. Previous work on this project
   6. Timeline for the project (portion to be funded by this program as well as subsequent development as a clinical application)
   7. Justification for eligibility as a translational, bench-to-bedside project
   8. Funding sources. This section should list other funding pending for this project and an explanation as to why NIH, NSF, or other outside funding is not a more appropriate source of funds for the project.
   9. Explanation of how these funds will help the project or program move forward and the potential for outside funding to sustain the project.
   10. Faculty descriptions and roles on the project
   11. Description of intellectual property involved in the project (including patent holder, where applicable)

Page limit for items A-K is 15 pages, single-spaced, must be Ariel or Helvetica typeface of font size 11 or larger, and must have adequate margins (use NIH standards). Additional pages and attachments, except as noted below, will be discarded)

12. A biographical sketch (NIH format) for each key investigator
13. Current Research Support. Identify other sources of research support and, when appropriate, explain how the proposed project relates to other funded projects
14. A complete budget should be included (no page limit). The budget should identify how funds will be spent and how each expenditure relates to the project.
15. If a similar or related proposal has been reviewed but not funded by an outside agency, please attach the reviews (?pink sheets?)

 

2. A Proposal Routing Form (PRF) should be completed and signed by the department head and dean of all key investigators. (DO NOT SEND THE PROPOSAL TO SPONSORED PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION).
3. The deadline for receipt of the applications is May 16, 2008 (4 pm). Awards will be announced in July 2008.
4. Grant applications (original plus 5 copies) should be submitted to the Office of Clinical Research, Attn: Meredith Craven, 717 Delaware St. SE, Room 229, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Also send an electronic version of the grant (a SINGLE pdf [preferred] or Word document) to mcraven@umn.edu.

Any questions regarding the application process, eligibility, or applicability of research should be directed to:
Tim Tracy, PhD -- tracy017@umn.edu or 612-625-7665,
or Jeff Miller, MD -- mille001@umn.edu or 612-625-7409

Review Process:

The review panel will include faculty members from several AHC schools or colleges. Written reviews/critiques will be sent to all applicants.

Reporting Requirements:

Principal investigators of funded projects will be required to provide a final report and an accounting of all funds expended at the completion of the project. If the project extends beyond fiscal year 08-09, a progress report will be required at the end of each grant fiscal year. Reports are to be submitted to Dr. Jas Ahluwalia, Executive Director of the Office of Clinical Research, 717 Delaware, Room 228.

¹These designations are flexible and it will be the responsibility of the co-investigators to demonstrate how their collaboration accomplishes the goal of moving a concept from the bench towards the bedside.

²This grant program is designed to support the translational and/or clinical development of basic discoveries. Prior extramural funding of the basic research component per se is desirable and does not disqualify the project.