Release Date: May 5, 2008
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: September 1, 2008
Application Receipt Date: October 1, 2008
Peer Review Date(s): November 2008
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: January 1, 2009
Announcement Expiration Date: October 2, 2008
Executive Summary
Purpose. The Diabetes Center Program of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) announces the availability of Pilot and Feasibility funds to support seeding grants for theNIDDK Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Program in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (R24; PAR-08-182).
Mechanism of Support. This funding opportunity will be administered under authority of the NIDDK Diabetes Centers Pilot and Feasibility program.
Budget and Project Period. Budgets for direct costs of up to $75,000 per PI and $300,000 per year per award with a project duration of up to one year may be requested.
Eligible Institutions/Organizations. Any institutions/organizations meeting requirements listed below under “Eligibility Information” may apply. This opportunity is not limited to Diabetes Center program institutions or their affiliates.
Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs). Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution/organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. This opportunity is not limited to investigators associated with NIDDK Diabetes Centers or their affiliated institutions.
Number of PDs/PIs. More than one PD/PI, or multiple PDs/PIs, may be designated on the application.
Number of Applications. Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.
Resubmissions. This is a one-time opportunity, no resubmissions will be allowed.
Renewals. Applications funded in response to this program are not renewable.
Part I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Diabetes Centers Program of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) announces the availability of Pilot and Feasibility funds to support seeding grants for the NIDDK Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Program in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (R24; PAR-08-182).
Research Objectives
The purpose of this Collaborative Research Seeding Program is to provide initial support to enable strong new investigative teams to form, and to foster their preliminary research activities. It is anticipated that research teams receiving seeding support under this program will be well positioned to compete for funds through the parent NIDDK Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Program in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases solicitation. This Collaborative Research Seeding Program is being solicited under authority of the NIDDK Diabetes Center Pilot and Feasibility programs; however, awards will not be limited to investigators associated with NIDDK Diabetes Centers or their affiliated institutions.
The complexity of biomedical science often requires the input and expertise of multiple collaborating investigators working as investigative teams. Currently support for collaborative research may take the form of a large R01 with a Principal Investigator (PI) and one or more key personnel and/or collaborators; a multi-PI R01 where credit and responsibility for a project are shared; a Program Project grant (P01) with 3 or more individual and independent projects, with cores, centered on a common theme; or a Center supporting a focused set of activities. While the R01, P01 and Centers mechanisms can foster certain kinds of collaborations, their structures cannot always readily accommodate interdisciplinary team science that synergizes around a single set of unified aims and goals. In recognition of the need to provide a flexible mechanism to support interdisciplinary team science, the NIDDK recently initiated a Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Program designed to provide flexible support for research teams focused on innovative approaches to a single large problem relevant to diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases (R24; PAR-08-182).
The parent Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research program is designed to support:
- Multi- or trans-disciplinary teams that will develop a synergistic approach to investigating large and complex scientific problems.
- Investigative teams in which each member has a strong publication record and other research support.
- Research projects of high scientific quality supported by strong preliminary data. Funding decisions will be based on criteria for programmatic relevance and scientific quality that are more selective compared to regular R01 research projects.
- Research that, if successful, should have a major impact on diabetes, endocrinology or metabolic diseases.
This document describes: (1) the administrative mechanism that will be used to seed Collaborative Interdisciplinary team science under this NIDDK Diabetes Center Pilot and Feasibility program; (2) eligibility criteria and application procedures; (3) evaluation criteria that will be used to determine the relative priority of the requests for seeding funding; and (4) post-award obligations for investigators awarded seeding funds.
Part II. Award Information
Mechanism of Support
Funding for this Collaborative Research Seeding Program will be provided under authority of the Pilot and Feasibility programs of the NIDDK Diabetes Centers. Awards will be made from the Diabetes Centers with awardees granted further subcontracting authority to disburse funds to team members. Awards will not be limited to investigators associated with NIDDK Diabetes Centers or their affiliated institutions. The number of awards and level of support will depend on the number and diversity of meritorious applications received.
The following limits apply:
- Seeding applications may request up to $75,000 (direct costs) per PI.
- Direct costs for seeding awards are limited to $300,000 per award. Cost requests should include any funds required to implement subcontracts.
- Awards are for 1 year.
- Seeding support is not meant to provide substantial salary support for team members or to purchase large pieces of equipment.
- In all cases, a detailed budget must be included in the application. These awards are not subject to modular grant requirements.
Part III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Institutions
The following organizations/institutions are eligible to apply:
- Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
- Private Institutions of Higher Education
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities
- This opportunity is not limited to institutions affiliated with NIDDK-funded Diabetes Centers
2. Eligible Individuals
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with his/her institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
- Multi-PI applications are allowed.
- PIs must be independent investigators.
- Each member of the investigative should have a strong publication record and be receiving other research support.
- Domestic or foreign institutions may apply.
- Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to participate in this opportunity.
Part IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Content and Form of Application
A Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Seeding grant can be used in a variety of ways, with the ultimate goal of establishing an integrated, high quality, and highly functional team, with strong preliminary data in support of the proposed research plan. To enhance team research activities, seeding funds may be requested to support sharing of unique reagents, expertise and equipment; shared students or research staff; travel to enhance collaboration; as well as other justified activities related to the formation and functioning of the investigative team.
Applicants should use the appropriate sections from the PHS 398 form. All applications must contain:
- An abstract of no more than 300 words (not to exceed one page) describing the goals of the project.
- An essay (not to exceed 5 typed pages) that addresses the team’s vision for, and the significance of, the biomedical or behavioral problem to be addressed, and the qualifications of the team to tackle the problem. The essay should detail the challenges that must be overcome. No detailed scientific plan should be provided since the research plan is expected to evolve during the tenure of the seeding grant. The essay should address the following within the 3-5 page limit:
- What is the scientific problem that will be addressed and why is this important?
- How does the planned research incorporate ideas and/or methods substantially different from those already being pursued in the PIs’ laboratories or elsewhere?
- A summary of how each collaborator will specifically contribute to the success of the team.
- A biosketch for each PI and/or collaborating investigator.
- A letter of intent to collaborate from each team member, cosigned by the appropriate official from their respective institutions.
- Justified detailed budgets for each PI and a summary budget for the entire project. Budgets should clearly specify F & A costs.
- A letter stating the team’s willingness to abide by NIH reagent and data sharing policies.
Note: All human and animal studies must receive the appropriate IRB or IACUC review and approval prior to funding authorization for the R24 seeding project.
2. Submission Dates and Other Requirements
2A. Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: September 1, 2008.
Application Receipt Date: on or before October 1, 2008.
Peer Review: November 2008.
Anticipated startdate: January 1, 2009.
2B. Submitting a Letter of Intent
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:
- Descriptive title of proposed research
- Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
- Names of other key personnel
- Participating institutions
- Number and title of this funding opportunity
Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
Letters of Intent should be sent electronically to:
Karen Salomon.
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolic Diseases
6707 Democracy Blvd. RM 687, MSC 5460
Bethesda, MD 20892-5460
2C. Submitting an Application
Applications must be prepared using the research grant application forms found in the PHS 398 instructions for preparing a research grant application. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and three signed photocopies by mail or electronically to:
Karen Salomon
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolic Diseases
6707 Democracy Blvd. RM 687, MSC 5460
Bethesda, MD 20892-5460
Part V. Application Review Information
An adhoc advisory committee will be convened by NIDDK and will conduct the review. The review criteria include:
- The significance of the overall goals of the project;
- The quality and appropriateness of the team to address the problem;
- The potential benefit to the diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic disease research community;
- The potential of this seeding project to lead to a successful R24 application in the NIDDK Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Program in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases;
- The demonstrated need for seeding funds. It is expected that investigators already engaged in collaborative research will not require seeding funds. Established collaborative teams are encouraged to apply for support under the parent R24 solicitation.
Part VI. Post Award Obligations
At the conclusion of the funded activity, the PI must submit a Progress Report to the NIDDK that includes a description of the activities and outcomes including an assessment of success in meeting the stated objectives.
INQUIRIES
Investigators who are interested in the activities described in this document are strongly encouraged to contact:
Karen Salomon
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, DHHS
6707 Democracy Boulevard RM 687, MSC 5460
Bethesda, MD 20892-5460
Telephone: (301) 594-7733
E-mail: salomonk@niddk.nih.gov
