Printer Friendly PDF September 2011
Did You Know . . . NIH offers a new podcast, All About Grants every two weeks on a Grantsmanship topic. The Office of Extramural Research (OER) presents conversations with NIH staff designed for investigators, fellows, students, research administrators, and others. MORE . . . This Issue: Researcher of the Month: Barry Rockx GrantWatch Announcements Research Techology Support Update InfoEd Training for Lab Animal Users: Electronic Submissions Hands-on training for InfoEd Electronic IRB Submissions NIH Grant Application Webinar Series Continues 15th Annual Forum on Aging Poster Session November 17 RESEARCH MATCH: Recruitment Registry Volunteers + Researchers New ePro Commodity Approval for Radiation Producing Devices Scientific Alley Re-Opens Funding Opportunities Invited Opportunities Local Opportunities AHAF Alzheimer's Disease Research Program NORD Research Grant NIH Director’s Award Programs National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship NIH Loan Repayment Programs RWJF Health Policy Fellows Gates Foundation New Grand Challenges Melanoma Research Alliance RFP DOD Research Programs HHMI Research Fellows Program Calendar of Events Past issues Submit a Calendar Event Submit an Announcement The Yellow Sheet is published monthly by the Office of Research Education Managing Editor: Christy Taylor Contributing Editor: L. Crumpler Production Editor: Heidi Lutz Contact Us Back to top		REMINDER: New Fringe Benefit Rates FY2012 Don’t forget to use the new fringe benefit rates in your proposals after September 1.  You can find them at http://research.utmb.edu/wnew/wnew.asp?uid=258   The budget templates on the OSP web site have been updated: http://research.utmb.edu/AskForFunding/Forms.shtm Research Services Announces Researcher of the Month for September Barry Rockx, PhD Assistant Professor Departments of Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology Member, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development (SCVD) Member, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CBEID) For the past ten years, Dr. Barry Rockx has focused his research on the development and characterization of animal models for emerging infectious diseases. A native of the Netherlands, he received his Ph.D. in Virology and Immunology from the Graduate School of Animal Health, Utrecht.  As a student, he worked at the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment in Bithoven. Following graduation in 2004, he went to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, for his postdoctoral training with Dr. Ralph Baric.  In 2008, he became a Research Fellow in the Laboratory of Virology at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML), Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Hamilton, Montana under the supervision of Dr. Heinz Feldmann.  He received a Performance Award from NIH/NIAID for three years in a row (2009 - 2011), and is still affiliated as a special volunteer with the RML. In 2010, he received the UT System’s Rising STAR Award and was recruited to join UTMB. More recently, Dr. Rockx focused his attention on studying the pathogenesis of influenza viruses, SARS-CoV, Nipah and Hendra viruses (NiV and HeV) in non-human primate models.  The Nipah and Hendra viruses are members of the genus Henipavirus, a new class of virus in the Paramyxoviridae family, which includes the measles and the human parainfluenza virus (HPIV.) The henipaviruses are carried by fruit bats (flying foxes) and are capable of causing severe respiratory and neurological illness and death in domestic animals and humans. The Hendra and Nipah viruses are considered a public health concern and are listed as category C priority pathogens for biodefense research by the NIAID. Dr. Rockx and others authored a study on the topic, “Clinical outcome of henipavirus infection in hamsters is determined by the route and dose of infection”, published in the August 2011 issue of Journal of Virology. Please explain what this research is about. Dr. Rockx:  Nipah and Hendra viruses are two closely related emerging viruses that have caused outbreaks of lethal respiratory and neurological disease in humans. Little is known about the mechanisms by which these viruses cause disease. Using a hamster model, we showed that the differences in transmission and clinical outcome observed between outbreaks of NiV and HeV in humans are in part due to differences in sites of infection and dose and route of exposure. What led you to pursue this research?  Dr. Rockx:  Limited information is available about the pathogenesis of Hendra and Nipah virus infection, and it is unknown what factors are involved in the transmission and development of either acute respiratory or neurological disease. Based on previous results, we hypothesized that the dose was associated with the clinical outcome of disease. I have been interested in the role of the respiratory tract in transmission of these viruses and the progression from respiratory to neurological disease. In the present study, we characterized a respiratory and a neurological disease model for Hendra and Nipah virus infection that will allow us to study both aspects of infection. How is this research unique? Dr. Rockx:  This is the first study directly comparing the pathogenesis of two closely related viruses, Hendra and Nipah viruses, in an animal model that mimics the disease progression as seen in human cases and the first characterization of the host response following lethal infection with these viruses. What are the scientific and medical implications of your findings? Dr. Rockx:  These studies reveal novel information on the development and progression of Nipah and Hendra virus induced clinical disease, provide a mechanism for the differences in transmission efficiency observed between NiV and HeV outbreaks and identify specific cytokines and chemokines that play a role in the pathogenesis of these viruses and may serve as targets for treatment. What is the next step? Dr. Rockx:  Studying the routes and efficiency of transmission, understanding the mechanisms by which Nipah and Hendra viruses differentially infect the respiratory tract and studying how these viruses invade the central nervous system. This research was funded in part by UTMB start-up funds and the Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, NIH. ‘Researcher of the Month’ is featured in the UTMB Research Yellow Sheet. Research Services selects a UTMB investigator to draw attention to the creative and insightful scientists working at UTMB. This profile and profiles of previous Researchers of the Month are posted on the Research Services web site (http://research.utmb.edu).

GRANTWATCH UTMB Research Services announces notification of funding for the following: (For a complete list of awards published in the Yellow Sheet see: http://research.utmb.edu/news/grantwatch.shtm.) Baillargeon, Jacques G. PMCH-Epidemiology & Biostat. Improving Linkage to HIV Care Following Release from Incarceration. The Miriam Hospital/NIDA R01 Subcontract.  $43,386.00/1yr. Barrett, Alan D. Sealy Cntr Vaccine Development. Animal Models of Infectious Diseases Part A : Small Animal Models. National Inst of Allergy & Infectious Diseases. $2,515,808.00/1yr. Barrett, Alan D. Pathology. Emerging and Tropical Infectious Diseases. National Inst of Allergy & Infectious Diseases T32. $827,944.00/5yr. Barrett, Alan D. Pathology. Elucidating Molecular Mechanisms of Yellow Fever Virus Virulence. University of Pittsburgh/NIAID R21 Subcontract. $47,892.00/1yr. Belalcazar, Ligia M. Internal Med-Endocrinology. Obesity Inflammation, and Thrombosis: LOOK AHEAD. Baylor College of Medicine/NHLBI R01 Subcontract. $26,000.00/1yr. Bhavnani, Suresh. Inst for Translational Science. Novel Systems for Rapidly Identifying Toxic Chemicals During Emergencies. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention R21. $416,302.00/2yr. Calhoun, William James. Internal Med-Pulmonary/Critica. Protocol:  NOCOMPOUNDASH0001; A Multicenter Longitudinal Study for Disease Profiling of Asthma. Centocor, Inc. Cao, Anthony. Microbiology and Immunology. Student Research Fellowship Award; "Th17-IgA Regulation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease". Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. $2,500.00/2mo. Carlton, Susan M. Neuroscience & Cell Biology. AMPA Receptors: Common Role In Opiate Withdrawal and Pain Sensitivity. Columbia Univ. in the City of New York/NIDA R01 Subcontract. $241,939.00/1yr. Chopra, Ashok K. Microbiology and Immunology. Identification of New Antigens for a Plague Vaccine. National Inst of Allergy & Infectious Diseases R01. $1,709,771.00/5yr. Cooper, Cary W. Psychiatry/Behavioral Science. The Effectiveness of Propranolol in Controlling Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Support for N.  Ramos). Shriners Burns Hospital - Galveston. $43,785.00/1yr. Coppenhaver, Dorian H. Graduate School. Neurodegeneration in Prion Diseases: Therapy & Diagnosis (Diaz). University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr-Houston/NINDS R01 Subcontract. $32,513.00/1yr. Cromie, Carol. Student Financial Aid. Pell Grant FY 2011-2012. Department of Education. $750,000.00/1yr. Cunningham, Kathryn A. Center for Addiction Research. Addiction and the Neuropharmacology of Psychostimulants. National Inst on Drug Abuse K05. $1,195,807.00/5yr. Cunningham, Kathryn A. Center for Addiction Research. Inhibitors of 5-HT2CR Protein: Protein Interactions for Stimulant Pharmacotherapy. National Inst on Drug Abuse R01. $1,504,641.00/5yr. Enkhbaatar, Perenlei. Anesthesiology. Effects of a Selective Vasopressin V1a Receptor Partial Agonist vs.  a Titrated Full Agonist in an Ovine Model of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pneumonia-Induced Severe Sepsis. Ferring Research Institute, Inc. $63,437.40/1yr. Eschbach, Karl. Internal Medicine-Geriatrics. National Children's Study (NCS) Study Centers (HC-HUNCS). Baylor College of Medicine/NICHD N01 Subcontract. $34,342.00/1yr. Freiberg, Alexander Niclas. Pathology. Recombinant Subunit Vaccine for Tick Borne Encephalitis. Hawaii Biotech Incorporated/NIAID R44 Subcontract. $293,096.00/1yr. Freiberg, Alexander Niclas. Pathology. Broad Spectrum Therapeutics that Target the Viral Members. University of California, Los Angeles/NIAID U01 Subcontract. $170,426.00/1yr. Geisbert, Thomas W. Microbiology And Immunology. Treatments For Nipah Virus Infection. Harvard University/NIAID U54 Subcontract. $34,438.00/1yr. Godley, Bernard. Ophthalmology. Photokenetic Ocular Drug Delivery. OneSight Research Foundation. $50,000.00/1yr. Goldblum, Randall M. Pediatric CEIID. Prevention of Allergic Rhinitis and Topical Immunomodulating Antibodies. Radix Therapeutics/NIAID R41 Subcontract. $157,293.00/1yr. Goodwin, James S. Internal Medicine-Geriatrics. Grant No.: T35AG038048; SubAward 150612/150569; Medical Student Teaching in Aging Research Program - University of Texas (UT-MSTAR). University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr-San Antonio / NIA T35 Subcontract. $34,830.00/1yr. Hallberg, Lance M. PMCH-Administration. Assessment of the Genotoxicity of Diesel Exhaust/Diesel Exhaust Particulates from Improved Diesel Engines. Health Effects Institute/EPA Subcontract. $41,613.00/1yr. Hawkins, Hal K. Pathology. Grant No.: 84060: Special Shared Facility Morphology and Pathology. Shriners Burns Hospital - Galveston. $105,615.21/1yr. Houston, Clifford W. Science Education. Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math T-STEM Centers. Texas Education Agency. $800,000.00/2yr. Howard, Anne B. Medical Branch Library. Health Information Literacy Enhancement in Galveston and Brazoria Counties. Houston Academy of Medicine-Tx Med Ctr Library. $15,000.00/1yr. Johnson Jr, Kenneth M. Pharmacology. Grant No. 5R01DA022317-03; Chemistry and Biology of 5-HT2C Receptor Ligands for Drug Use. University of Illinois at Chicago/NIDA R01 Subcontract. $147,846.00/1yr. Kaphalia, Bhupendra S. Pathology. Mechanism(s) of Alcoholic Pancreatitis: Role of Ethanol Metabolites. National Inst on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism R21. $420,718.00/2yr. Kayed, Rakez. Neurology. Tau Oligomers as a Potential Target for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's. $75,000.00/1yr. Keiser, Philip. Internal Med-Infectious Disease. Medical Case Management and Outpatient Ambulatory Medical Care - Part B. Resource Group. $38,053.61/1yr. Keiser, Philip. Internal Med-Infectious Disease. Outpatient Ambulatory Medical Care and Medical Case Managament/AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance. Resource Group. $452,068.00/1yr. Ksiazek, Thomas G. Pathology. Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Biological Resource Repository (BRR) (Subcontract). American Type Culture Collection/NIAID Subcontract. $471,571.00/1yr. Kuo, Yong Fang. Internal Medicine-Geriatrics. Influence of Reimbursement on Androgen Deprivation Use for Prostate Cancer. University of Michigan/American Cancer Society Subcontract. $22,650.00/1yr. LeDuc, James. Microbiology and Immunology. National Biocontainment Training Center. Army. $4,371,000.00/5yr. LeDuc, James. Institute for Human Infections. CORE A Administrative CORE: National Biocontainment Laboratories (NBL) Operations Support. National Inst of Allergy & Infectious Diseases UC7. $11,576,992.04/5yr. Luxon, Bruce A. Biochemistry & Molecular Bio. Stipend Reimbursement Agreement for Sai Gandham. University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr-Houston. $32,513.00/1yr. Martinez, Neslihan M. Biochemistry & Molecular Bio. The Mechanisms of Protein Kinase with Induced Cardiac Pathogenesis in Myotonic Dystrophy. American Heart Association-National. $201,270.00/2yr. Matalon, Reuben. Pediatric Cytogenetics. Use of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase for the Treatment of PKU. Noos srl. $10,379.00/7mo. Maybauer, Marc. Anesthesiology. Acute and Long Term Outcome Investigations of Fenofibrate on Severely Burned Patients - Grant No.: 71002. Shriners Burns Hospital - Galveston. $46,000.00/1yr. Meyer III, Walter J. Psychiatry/Behavioral Science. Optimizing Control of Pain from Severe Burns. University of Washington/NIGMS R01 Subcontract. $210,000.00/1yr. Motamedi, Massoud. Center For Biomed Engineering. EAGER:Nanoimaging for Molecular Diagnosis of Retina. National Science Foundation. $297,264.00/2yr. Motin, Vladimir. Microbiology And Immunology. Insights into Human Immunity to Plague. Defense Threat Reduction Agency. $500,000.02/3yr. Motin, Vladimir. Microbiology And Immunology. A Systems Biology Program for Pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae. Battelle Memorial Institute/Department of Energy Subcontract. $304,963.00/1yr. Nolen, Alexandra Bambas. Center Eliminate Health Dispar. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing in Galveston Using Health and Human Development Lens. Galveston Housing Authority. $99,092.00/1.5yr. Okorodudu, Anthony O. Pathology. Protocol No. RD001142: Analytical Performance Evaluation of the cobas b 123 POC System Bilirubin Parameter Using Neonatal Blood. Roche Diagnostics. Paddon-Jones, Douglas J. Physical Therapy. An Integrated Low-Volume Nutritional Countermeasure to Maintain Muscle Mass and Function During Space Exploration. National Space Biomedical Research Inst. $411,869.00/1yr. Paessler, Slobodan. Pathology. Development of a Live Animal Model for H1N1 Infection. Vaxart Incorporated. $24,999.73/1yr. Petersen, John R. Pathology. POC A1c Test Performance Study. SAKAE Corporation. Pierangeli, Silvia S. Internal Medicine-Rheumatology. The Potential of beta-2-glycoprotein-1 Pulsed Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells to Ameliorate Antiphospholipid Syndrome. US/Israel Binational Science Foundation. $51,720.00/4yr. Rasmussen, Blake B. Physical Therapy. Solae/UTMB Testing &Analysis Agreement. Solae. $23,949.00/1yr. Rosenberg, Laura E. Rehabilitation Sciences. The Effectiveness of Propranolol in Controlling for Symptons of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Shriners Burns Hospital - Galveston. $14,494.00/3mo. Runge, Val. Radiology. Comparison of MRI and Angiography for Characterization of Vascular Anatomy in a Porcine Model of Cerebral Aneurysm and Estimation of Renal Artery Stenosis in a Porcine Model. Bayer Schering Pharma. $66,510.00/1yr. Saade, George. Ob/Gyn-Parinatal Research. Cooperative Multicenter Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. National Inst of Child Health & Human Development U10. $1,530,000.00/5yr. Saade, George. Ob/Gyn-Parinatal Research. Cesarean Section Optimal Antibotic Prophylaxis (C/SOAP) Study. University of Alabama/NICHD R01 Subcontract. $122,922.00/1yr. Sarna, Sushil K. Internal Med-Gastroenterology. Developmental orgins of Functional Dyspepsla. National Inst of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases R01. $1,349,624.00/4yr. Sarpong, Kwabena O. Pediatric Administration. Protocol: V419-006; A Phase III Randomized, Partially Double Blind, Active-Comparator Controlled  Lot-to-Lot Consistency Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of V419 in Healthy Infants When Given at 2, 4, and 6 Month. ICON Clinical Research Incorporated. Sathish Kumar, Kunju Reddiar. Ob/Gyn Reproductive Endocrine. Elevated Maternal Androgens: Effects on Vascular and Placental Functions and Fetal Consequences. National Inst of Child Health & Human Development R03. $153,000.00/2yr. Sherwood, Edward R. Anesthesiology. Grant No.: 8780; The Role of Natural Killer Cells in the Pathogens of Septic Shock. Shriners Burns Hospital - Galveston. $85,833.00/1yr. Smith, Edward R. Ob/Gyn Medical Education. Psychoneuroimmunology: Preterm Birth in Hispanics. University of Texas at Austin/NINR R01 Subcontract. $6,601.00/1yr. Smith, Kirk L. Institute For Med Humanities. Community Service Learning as Pedagogy for Training Health Professions Students at UTMB, UTHSCSA and UTHSC-H. University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr-San Antonio/University of Texas System Subcontract. $92,567.00/1yr. Stephens, Robin. Internal Med-Infectious Disease. Maintenance vs Programming in Th1 Memory Cell Development in P. Chabaudi Malaria. National Inst of Allergy & Infectious Diseases R01. $1,717,275.00/5yr. Szabo, Csaba. Anesthesiology. Grant No.: 8661; Role of Hydrogen Sulfide In Angiogenesis and Wound Healing. Shriners Burns Hospital - Galveston. $215,674.00/1yr. Traber, Daniel L. Anesthesiology. Bifunctional Modulation of Redox Imbalance for Treatment of Septic Shock. Radikal Therapeutics Incorporated/NIGMS R43 Subcontract. $69,935.00/10mo. Turley, Christine. Pediatric Administration. Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Phase II Study to Assess the Safety & Efficacy of the Cytomegalovirus gb/MF 59 Vaccine in Preventing Systemic Cytomeglaovirus Infection in Healthy Adolescent Females. Cincinnati Children's Hosp. Medical Ctr/NIAID Subcontract. $238,102.00/1yr. Ullrich, Robert L. Sealy Cntr Cancer Cell Biology. HZE-induced Mammary Cancer Development Processes in Murine and "Humanized" Models, and Their Influence on Radiation Quality Functions. Columbia Univ. in the City of New York/NASA Subcontract. $185,996.00/1yr. Underbrink, Michael. Otolaryngology. The Effect of HPV on Apoptosis And Cellular Proliferation in Laryngeal Papillomas. National Inst on Deafness & Other Communicative Diseases K08. $1,106,730.00/5yr. Vainrub, Arnold. Center For Biomed Engineering. EAGER: BISH: Isothermal Solid-phase PCR Using Electrostatic Control of DNA Hybridization. National Science Foundation. $93,456.00/17mo. Watson, Cheryl S. Biochemistry & Molecular Bio. Nongenomic Xenoestogenic Actions of the New Substitute Plastics Monomer bisphenol-S. Passport Foundation. $45,000.00/8mo. Weaver, Scott C. Pathology. Novel Vaccine Technology for Chikungunya. National Inst of Allergy & Infectious Diseases R01. $3,415,146.00/4yr. Weaver, Scott C. Institute for Human Infections. McLaughlin Committee - Main - FY2011. McLaughlin Fellowship Fund. $735,418.00/1yr. White Jr, A. Clinton. Internal Med-Infectious Disease. Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase 1 as a Drug Target for T.gondii and C.parvum. University of Washington/NIAID R01 Subcontract. $123,750.00/1yr. Wong, Rebeca. PMCH-Sociomedical Sciences. Social Disparities in Health Among Latinos. University of California, Los Angeles/NICHD R01 Subcontract. $41,967.00/1yr.  Back to top

Research Techology Support Update

As we enter into the new fiscal year, I wanted to give you an update on our organization.  We currently have our Fabrication specialist and Research Technology Support (RTS) Manager, Jamie Svrcek and a full time Biomedical Technician, Emily Edds.  Emily comes to UTMB with a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering.  We also have a part-time Administrative Coordinator, Teri Chapa, who has over 30 years of experience working in the labs at UTMB. 

As we move forward, we will be implementing new policies and procedures to help improve our processes and provide better customer service.  These procedures will eventually be available on our website, http://research.utmb.edu/rts/.   

The RTS Technical Services team will continue to provide repair, calibration, verification, preventative maintenance and electrical safety checks of research equipment.  (Please contact us should you wish to enter into a contract for preventative maintenance and electrical safety inspections.)

In addition, our Fabrication/Machine Shop side of the house can take your ideas, put them to paper and then bring them to reality utilizing many different kinds of material. 

Finally, I do need to let you know that we have an increase in our hourly rates from $75 to $80 per hour.  We also increased the cost for vaporizer verification to $120.  These increases in costs are necessary for us to cover our day-to-day operations.  These rates became effective September 1, 2011.

Should you have any questions on our capability to assist you, please call us (772-1308).

 Thank you all for your continued support and use of the services offered by RTS. 

Laurie E. Sower, Ph.D.
Director, Research Laboratory Operations & Support
Director, RTS
Ph: 409.266.9439

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InfoEd Training for Lab Animal Users: Electronic Submissions

As of July 1st, the IACUC only accepts electronic submissions using the InfoEd system.
Additional sessions have been scheduled to learn how to submit within InfoEd.

Upcoming Classes in September:

Friday, September 23, 2:00-3:00

Individuals other than the Principal Investigators themselves who will be submitting on behalf of the investigator must be delegated in InfoEd with edit and signature authority by the PI for security access and the ability to submit. The following link explains how to delegate an individual: http://research.utmb.edu/IRB/Instructions/Delegating_QuickInstructions.pdf. 
The IACUC asks that these individuals be delegated prior to taking the course.

To register please go to http://my.utmb.edu/PStraining.  All classes will be held in Rebecca Sealy East 4.302.

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Hands-on training for InfoEd Electronic IRB Submissions

The Office of Research Subject Protections now accepts only electronic submissions via the InfoEd system. This electronic research administration tool provides researchers an online portal for preparing, submitting and tracking their protocols. Paper submissions are no longer accepted.

Research Information Systems staff will offer monthly training sessions to introduce you to the Human Subjects Module. Researchers and research personnel are encouraged to attend training for navigation and use of the new electronic system.

All sessions will be in Rebecca Sealy East 4.302.

Upcoming class dates and times:

Oct. 25 - 2-3:30 p.m.
Nov. 15 - 10-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 13 - 10-11:30 a.m.

Class size is limited to 15 people. RSVP here to guarantee your spot in one of the sessions.

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NIH Grant Application Webinar Series Continues

The seventh and final webinar on preparing NIH Proposals will be aired on Tuesday, September 27th in Rebecca Sealy East 4.302/4.304 from noon to 1 p.m.

Topic 7:  NIH Research Strategy: Actionable Next Steps to Develop a Winning Proposal
A research strategy is not just about experiments, but how you think about solving the problems raised. To successfully meet the requirements of the research strategy component of the NIH grant you must provide a clear picture of your research and its impact, how you will overcome challenges and what you hope to accomplish.

The series, sponsored by Research Services, in conjunction with the Hispanic Center for Excellence has been recorded and each of the seven webinars will be presented again each month beginning on Wednesday, October 12 from noon until 1:00 p.m.   All webinars are free and open to campus and will be held in Rebecca Sealy East 4.302/4.304.

To RSVP, visit https://my.utmb.edu/PStraining.

For more information, contact Research Services/Research Education at Research Education

Upcoming Schedule:

How to Write an Effective NIH Abstract
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
In many ways your Abstract is one of the most important parts of your grant application. It reaches a broader audience than just your reviewers. In fact, it becomes a permanent description of your project, accessible to the general public, the press, politicians and taxpayers. Join your presenter as she will teach you how to write for every possible reader and draw attention to the importance of your research.

NIH Biosketch: Present Your Capabilities Effectively
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
This is more than a simple biography of the Principal Investigator. In this webinar they will discuss the ways you can creatively use this area to increase your chances to successfully obtain your needed funding.

NIH Research Strategy: Actionable Next Steps to Develop a Winning Proposal
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
A research strategy is not just about experiments, but how you think about solving the problems raised. To successfully meet the requirements of the research strategy component of the NIH grant you must provide a clear picture of your research and its impact, how you will overcome challenges and what you hope to accomplish

NIH Human Subject Compliance: Are You Including the Right Populations?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
If your proposal involves using human subjects, you must upload several separate documents indicating who will be involved, why, how they will be impacted and your rationale for including them. During this webinar they discuss how to ensure you include enough information so reviewers will have no questions about what you propose to do.

NIH Institutional Support: Use Your Environmental Section to Convince Reviewers
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
One of the core criteria NIH reviewers use to score your grant application is the environment in which you perform the research. They want to ensure you will have the resources — meaning the institutional support, equipment and physical items — you need to successfully complete your proposed investigation. Convince reviewers by using the must-have tactics you will receive during this webinar.

Budgeting Your Research: Budget Strategies That Support Your NIH Proposal
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
This may sound rather basic, but when applying for an NIH grant, you have to know how much money you will need to complete your research. Therefore, you will use the budget and associated justifications to present and support all the expenses required to achieve your proposal’s objectives. During this webinar you will get advice on building budget strategies that support your proposal.

Application Review Strategies: What to Look for Before You Hit the Submit Button
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Do you know what happens to your NIH grant application once you submit it to NIH? During this Webinar your presenter will give you a clear understanding of the criteria and process used to evaluate your proposal.

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SAVE THE DATE:  15th Annual Forum on Aging Poster Session  November 17

Date:  Thursday, November 17, 2011
Time:  5:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Levin Dining Hall

Sponsored by The Sealy Center on Aging andResearch Services.

All UTMB faculty and students are invited.

The major purpose of the forum is to inform gerontology researchers, in particular, and the UTMB community, in general, of the types of aging research going on at UTMB and of the resources available from the Sealy Center on Aging and Research Services.

Friday, October 28, 2011 is the deadline for submission of abstracts.
To submit an abstract, go to http://www.utmb.edu/scoa/posters/aging/form.html.

For more information contact Tony DiNuzzo, PhD at the Sealy Center on Aging, x69658 or visit http://www.utmb.edu/scoa/posters/aging/.

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Recruitment Registry Volunteers + Researchers

Registry Volunteers:  By registering with ResearchMatch, you are registering your willingness to be notified by email about studies that are a potential match based on your anonymous profile and study eligibility.  You decide your interest and whether or not to release your contact information to a researcher for direct contact about a study.  For more information and to join the registry, go to www.ResearchMatch.org.

Researchers:  By registering to use the recruitment tool, you gain access to anonymous registry data for feasibility searches preparatory to research and may request recruitment search access.  More information on using the recruitment tool can be found on the ‘ResearchMatch for Researchers’ page, www.its.utmb.edu/research_match.html

ResearchMatch:  This national research recruitment registry is a free and secure web-based service to help connect volunteers with researchers looking for study participants. 

ResearchMatch is a collaborative project funded by a Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health to Vanderbilt University in partnership with the UTMB CTSA and other participating CTSA sites.  For more information about UTMB’s Institute for Translational Sciences, visit www.its.utmb.edu

Contact:     Email: Carrie Derkowski     For: Institute for Translational Sciences     Phone: 21985

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New ePro Commodity Approval for Radiation Producing Devices

To ensure efficient safety review for compliance, effective Sept. 12, 2011, PeopleSoft eProcurement requisitions for radiation producing devices (X-rays, Linac, mammography, etc) will be electronically routed to EHS-Radiation Safety Program for review after the requisition has been approved by the appropriate departmental approvers.  When creating your ePro requisition, please provide the departmental requestor’s name and contact information in the Justification/Comments box on the Review and Submit page of your requisition.  This departmental contact should be the person who will be working directly with EHS on the safety review.

Approvals will be completed by EHS multiple times during the day and should result in minimal to no impact on the order turn-around time.  Additionally, this change will have no impact on the existing departmental/project approval routing.

Questions regarding this new approval process should be directed to Luz Cheng, EHS-Radiation Safety Program, via e-mail at lcheng@utmb.edu

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Scientific Alley Re-Opens 

Scientific Alley is now open for business as of Tuesday, September 13th  The Storeroom is located in room G.105 of the Basic Science Building.  Hours of operation and contact information are as follows:

Scientific Alley
STOREROOM HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday - Friday
8:00 am – 12:00 pm   &   12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

PHONE: 409-772-2484 - FAX:  409-772-2483
E-mail:  scientific.alley@utmb.edu

Possible Missions:  713.464.3746
Fisher Rep:  Darrell Manney 979.574.9335
UTMB Supplier Enablement team:  Andy Correa at ext. 25545

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

SMARTS FUNDING ALERTS AVAILABLE Smarts/Genius is an automatic funding opportunity e-mail alert service, a subscription provided to the UTMB campus by the Office of the Associate Dean for Research Services Administration.. Contact the Research Services, ext.69474, for assistance. SIGN UP HERE: http://rdhs.utmb.edu (restricted to UTMB) Back to top

INVITED OPPORTUNITIES Funding opportunities listed in this section are restricted and require special coordination of applications. To see a table of invited opportunities and other opportunities that limit the number of applications accepted by a sponsor, go to: http://research.utmb.edu/FindFunding/LimitedCompetitionsTable.xls. NSF Grant Solicitation: Collections in Support of Biological Research (NSF 11-558) This funding opportunity announcement only allows submission of three proposals per organization. Full proposals are due October 16, 2011. If you are interested in applying to this funding opportunity, please email Kelly Lee (klee@utmb.edu) in the Office of Sponsored Programs as soon as possible.  A synopsis and link to the full announcement are provided below.

Synopsis of Program:

The Collections in Support of Biological Research (CSBR) Program provides funds for improvements to secure, improve, and organize collections that are significant to the NSF/BIO-funded research community. Support is also provided to secure collections-related data for sustained, accurate, and efficient accessibility of the collection to the biological research community. Supplemental funding is also available to transfer collection ownership responsibilities or consolidate or combine existing collections.

The CSBR program provides for enhancements that secure and improve existing collections, result in accessible digitized specimen-related data, and develop better methods for specimen curation and collection management. Requests should demonstrate a clear and urgent need to secure the collection, and the proposed activities should address that need. Biological collections supported include established living stocks/culture collections, vouchered non-living natural history collections, and jointly-curated ancillary collections such as preserved tissues and DNA libraries.

http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11558/nsf11558.htm

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Burroughs Wellcome Fund

Career Awards for Medical Scientists
Application Deadline:  October 3, 2011 by 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time

Accepting electronic applications only.
Five-year $700,000 awards for physician-scientists bridge advanced postdoctoral/fellowship training and the early years of faculty service. Proposals must be in the area of basic biomedical, disease-oriented, or translational research.  Proposals in health services research or involving large-scale clinical trials are ineligible. Awards are made to degree-granting institutions in the U.S. or Canada on behalf of the awardee.

• U.S. or Canadian institutions--including affiliated medical schools, graduate schools, and all related hospitals and research institutes--may nominate up to five candidates. 

For more information about this program, see http://www.bwfund.org/pages/188/Career-Awards-for-Medical-Scientists/.

Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease
Application Deadline:  November 1, 2011
Accepting electronic applications only.

Five-year awards provide $500,000 for opportunities for accomplished investigators at the assistant professor level to study pathogenesis, with a focus on the intersection of human and microbial biology. The program is intended to shed light on the overarching issues of how human hosts handle infectious challenge. The awards are intended to give recipients the freedom and flexibility to pursue new avenues of inquiry and higher-risk research projects that hold potential for advancing significantly the biochemical, pharmacological, immunological, and molecular biological understanding of how infectious agents and the human body interact. 

• A U.S. or Canadian institution— including its medical school, graduate schools, and all affiliated hospitals and research institutes—may nominate up to two candidates.
• To encourage applications from veterinarians, institutions that nominate a researcher who holds the D.V.M. will be allowed three nominations.
• Institutions may have a single additional nomination if they nominate a researcher working in pathogenic helminths, mycology, or reproductive science.

For more information see: http://www.bwfund.org/pages/105/Investigators-in-the-Pathogenesis-of-Infectious-Disease/

To be considered for nomination as a candidate for either of these programs, contact William New, Research Office, ATTN   Angela Wells, acwells@utmb.edu

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The Greenwall Foundation Faculty Scholars Program in Bioethics

Deadline: November 1, 2011
Scientific advances in the life sciences have raised dilemmas in public policy, research, and clinical practice regarding such issues as human cloning, stem cell research, gene therapy, and new information technologies. Effective approaches and resolutions to such problems may come from a variety of disciplines including medicine, law, philosophy, religion, other fields in the humanities, and the social sciences.

The Greenwall Faculty Scholars Program in Bioethics is a career development award to enable outstanding junior faculty members to carry out original research that will help resolve important policy and clinical dilemmas at the intersection of ethics and the life sciences. This research will also put Faculty Scholars in a position to help set public policy and standards of clinical practice.

Who may apply?
Applicants must be junior faculty members holding at least a 60% appointment in a tenure series at a university or non-profit research institute in the U.S. Priority will be given to applicants who have not yet been considered for tenure, who have not received a comparable career development award, and whose work will have an impact on public policy or clinical practice. Within this group, priority will be given to applicants whose research addresses innovative and emerging topics. Lower priority will be given to applicants who are working on institutional change, educational reform, or primarily theoretical research.

Only one applicant from an institution will be considered.

How to apply
A preliminary application will be due on 1 November, 2011. Applicants must write a three-page letter of intent that includes (1) a description of their research proposal, particularly its significance, how it will be carried out, and how it is likely to have an impact on public policy or clinical practice; and (2) a personal statement describing their goals in the field of bioethics. This letter should be double-spaced and in type no smaller than 12-point. The applicant should also submit a curriculum vitae, no longer than 5 single-spaced pages and a cover page including the project title and applicant's contact information.

Approximately 12 applicants will be invited to submit full proposals due in February 2012.

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, contact William New, Research Office, ATTN   Angela Wells, acwells@utmb.edu.

Additional Information is available on the sponsor’s website: http://www.greenwallfsp.org/index.htm.

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LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES
Additional local, or intramural opportunities at UTMB are posted at: http://research.utmb.edu/FindFunding/intrafunding.shtm.

CPRIT Funding opportunities

The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas recently released RFAs for the following funding opportunities.  Matching institutional funds and limited number of applications may be required.  Internal review by the Provost office is standard.  For additional information,on a funding opportunity, see the CPRIT website:  http://www.cprit.state.tx.us/funding-opportunities/.  For information about UTMB’s selection process, see CPRIT Frequently Asked Questions at:  http://research.utmb.edu/FindFunding/CPRIT.shtm.

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Mike Hogg Fund Request for Applications for Seed Money for Clinical Research or Education

Application deadline:  October 15, 2011
Grant applications are accepted for academic proposals that will fulfill the advancement of clinical research through education and/or research for the development of new diagnostic or therapeutic techniques.  Because the funds are limited, these grants should be considered seed money. 

Award Amount:  $15,000 - $20,000
Duration:  1 year
Disbursement of Funds begins December 2011
Qualifications: MD, PhD or equivalent

Additional guidelines and required application forms are available at http://research.utmb.edu/starfiles/mikehogg2012.pdf

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Request for Applications: WRCE Career Development Awards

LOI due:  November 8, 2011
The Western Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research (WRCE) invites applications for Career Development Awards. Funding for these investigator-driven research projects is expected to begin on March 1, 2012 (one slot for a 2-year award) and September 1, 2012 (two slots for a 1.5-year award). Please click here (http://www.utmb.edu/wrce/Career%20Dev%20RFA%202011.pdf) to access the announcement.

All scientific projects in the WRCE have as their ultimate aim the development of a product (i.e., vaccines and/or diagnostics) through programs of investigator-directed research. The following three themes comprise the WRCE research portfolio and are considered high priority areas:

• Theme 1: Platforms for Multiplexed Diagnostics for Category A-C Agents and Emerging Agents
• Theme 2: Vaccine Development for Arboviral and Emerging Viral Diseases
• Theme 3: Vaccine Development for Diseases caused by Intracellular Bacteria (with an emphasis on Brucella, Rickettsia, Burkholderia, Francisella tularensis, and Coxiella burnetii. Other intracellular bacteria that cause emerging human diseases will be considered, such as Ehrlichiaspp., Orientia tsutsugamushi, and Neorickettsia).

Applications must be tailored to address one of these themes.

Dates:
Letter of intent filing deadline: November 8, 2011 (for the 2-year award); May 1, 2012 (for 1.5-year awards)
Application Receipt Dates(s):   Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 3pm CDT (for the 2-year award);   Tuesday, May 29, 2012 (for 1.5-year awards)
Peer Review Date(s):  January-February, 2012 (for the 2-year award);  July-August, 2012 (for 1.5-year awards)
Earliest Anticipated Start Date:   March 1, 2012 (for the 2-year award);   September 1, 2012 (for 1.5-year awards)

Please share these funding opportunities with your colleagues. Contact Kimberly Schuenke (kischuen@utmb.edu) or Douglas Watts (dowatts@utmb.edu) to determine whether the concept you are proposing overlaps existing RCE projects and fits within the scope of allowable activities.

Detailed instructions for submitting applications can be found at http://www.utmb.edu/wrce/Instructions%20for%20submitting%20WRCE%20CD%20applications.pdf , and PHS398 forms tailored for the WRCE are at http://www.utmb.edu/wrce/WRCE-Specific%20398%20Forms%20for%20CD.doc .

Or, contact:

Kimberly Schuenke, PhD
WRCE Program Administrator
The University of Texas Medical Branch
phone: (409) 747-0766

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American Health Assistance Foundation Alzheimer's Disease Research Program

Application Deadline: October 12, 2011

• The program offers three types of awards.
  The ADR Standard Award provides $400,000 over three years to researchers who have already generated some amount of preliminary data, but who still require significant support for further research before they can apply to governmental or industrial funding entities.
• The ADR Pilot Award provides $150,000 over two years for highly innovative proposals with minimal preliminary data. These awards are typically described as being "high risk, high reward." Pilot awards are often given to investigators who need funding to demonstrate the validity of a much focused hypothesis.
• The ADR Postdoctoral Fellowship Award provides $100,000 over two years to young researchers in the final stages of mentored training. These awards are meant to fund projects in an established laboratory that will serve as the basis for the applicant's own independent research career.

ELIGIBILITY: Eligibility is limited to nonprofit institutions or government research facilities.

PURPOSE: The American Health Assistance Foundation's Alzheimer's Disease Research program provides funds for U.S. domestic as well as international researchers pursuing pioneering research leading to a greater understanding of Alzheimer's disease.

Preference is given to exciting, cutting-edge type projects that would not, at their present stage, be competitive for large government or industry awards. ADR awards are typically made to junior investigators, or to more established investigators who are proposing particularly innovative research.

CONTACT: Please see URL for contact information. For more information see http://www.ahaf.org/

Subject(s) medical research, mental health, aged/seniors
Reminder:  All research applications should go through the Office of Sponsored Programs prior to submission.  Please contact your pre-award analyst (http://research.utmb.edu/aboutus/prepostspecialists.shtm) if you plan to apply for this opportunity.

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NORD Research Grant Funding Available, Fall 2011

LOI due October 14, 2011
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has announced new funding opportunities for fall 2011 through its research seed grant program. The funding is for three grants (one each) for the three rare disorders. The NORD Research Grant Program provides seed-money grants to academic scientists for scientific and/or clinical research. The hope is that these studies will ultimately lead to new diagnostics, treatments, and/or for rare diseases.

NORD’s research grant program is international, and is available to scientists/researchers from within the United States and from overseas.

The link to the page for the three RFPS is: http://rarediseases.org/medical-professionals/research-grants/rfps.

The three Fall 2011 RFPs are:

• Congenital Skeletal Abnormalities Associated with Cat Eye Syndrome or Other Rare Chromosomal Disorders - http://rarediseases.org/docs/RFPCongenitalSkeletalDisorders2011.doc
• Tarlov Cyst Disease - http://rarediseases.org/docs/TarlovCystDiseaseFall2011.doc
• Primary Orthostatic Tremor - http://rarediseases.org/docs/PrimaryOrthostaticTremor2011.doc

Information about NORD’s RFPs is also available on the NORD website at http://www.rarediseases.org/research/requests. You may direct questions or concerns to Stefanie Putkowski, RN, BSN, Research Program Administrator, at research@rarediseases.org or via telephone at 203-744-0100

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Funding Opportunities 2012 NIH Director’s Award Programs:
Pioneer and New Innovator Awards

NIH Director’s Pioneer and New Innovator Awards Program
NIH welcomes proposals for 2012 NIH Director's Pioneer Awards and New Innovator Awards for innovative approaches to major challenges in biomedical or behavioral research. 

• Pioneer Awards:  
• Up to $2.5 million in direct costs over 5 years
• Open to scientists at any career stage.

•  New Innovator Awards: 
• Up to $1.5 million in direct costs over 5 years
• For early career stage investigators (ESI), defined as those who have not received an NIH R01 or similar grant and are within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or medical residency. 

NIH expects to make at least 7 Pioneer Awards and at least 33 New Innovator Awards in summer 2012.  To continue its strong record of diversity in these programs, NIH especially encourages women and members of groups that are underrepresented in NIH research to apply.

The deadline for submitting Pioneer Award applications is October 7, 2011. See the instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement RFA-RM-11-004 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-11-004.html) and http://commonfund.nih.gov/pioneer for more information. Send questions to pioneer@nih.gov. 
 
The deadline for submitting New Innovator Award applications is October 14, 2011. See the instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement RFA-RM-11-005 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-11-005.html) and http://commonfund.nih.gov/newinnovator for more information. Send questions to newinnovator@nih.gov.

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National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship

Deadline:  November 4, 2011
The National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports early career scholars working in critical areas of education research. This nonresidential postdoctoral fellowship funds proposals that make significant scholarly contributions to the field of education. The program also develops the careers of its recipients through professional development activities involving National Academy of Education members.

Website: http://naeducation.org/NAEd_Spencer_Postdoctoral_Fellowship.html  
To apply:  https://www.gooddonegreat.com/grants/naed/login.php   .

FELLOWSHIP AWARDS

• Fellows will receive $55,000 for one academic year of research, or $27,500 for each of two contiguous years, working half-time. 
• Fellowships must begin during the 2012-2013 academic year. 
• Fellows take the equivalent of one year’s teaching leave during the fellowship term.
• Fellows will be included in professional development retreats with other fellows and NAEd members. 
• Up to twenty postdoctoral fellowships will be awarded in 2012.
• Selection will be made by a committee of NAEd members.

QUALIFICATIONS AND GUIDELINES
The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is open to all eligible applicants regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

• Applicants must have received their PhD, EdD, or equivalent research degree between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011.
• Applicant should have a demonstrated record of research experience in education.
• Proposed project must be an education research project. NAEd funds studies that examine the efficacy of curriculum and teaching methods, however, we do not fund the initial development of curriculum or instructional programs.
• Applications will be judged on the applicant's past research record, career trajectory in education research, and the quality of the project described in the application.
• Applications must be made by the individual applying for the fellowship; group applications will not be accepted.
• Non-US citizens are welcome to apply.
• Concurrent funding for the proposed project is not permitted. You may not hold a grant from the Spencer Foundation at the same time as this fellowship.

TO APPLY
Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to read The Art of Writing Proposals (Download at http://www.ssrc.org/workspace/images/crm/new_publication_3/%7B7a9cb4f4-815f-de11-bd80-001cc477ec70%7D.pdf). Applicants are also encouraged to seek feedback from respected colleagues prior to submission.

If you have questions or are unable to visit the online application, please contact:
National Academy of Education, 500 Fifth Street NW, #307, Washington, DC 20001;
E-mail: info@naeducation.org; Telephone: 202-334-2093.

IMPORTANT LINKS
2012 Online Application Form (link doesn’t work) https://www.gooddonegreat.com/grants/naed/  

2012 Application Guidelines http://www.naeducation.org/Postdoctoral_Guidelines.pdf  

The Art of Writing Proposals (recommended reading for all applicants) http://www.ssrc.org/workspace/images/crm/new_publication_3/%7B7a9cb4f4-815f-de11-bd80-001cc477ec70%7D.pdf  

2011 NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Packet http://naeducation.org/Fellowship_Application.pdf (NOTE: This form is provided for reference only. Please use the link for the online application above.)

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NIH Loan Repayment Programs - Apply Now for 2012 Awards

Participants in the NIH Loan Repayment Programs Receive Up to $35,000 Annually to Help Repay Student Loans
Application Deadline is November 15, 2011

The 2012 application cycle for the National Institutes of Health’s Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) is now open, so start your application online at http://www.lrp.nih.gov. The LRPs repay the outstanding student loans of researchers who are or will be conducting nonprofit biomedical or behavioral research. Opportunities are available in five research areas – clinical, pediatric, health disparities, contraception and infertility and clinical research for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications will be accepted until 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on November 15, 2011.

BENEFITS: New LRP contracts are awarded for a two-year period and repay up to $35,000 of qualified educational debt annually. Tax offsets also are provided as additional benefits. Participants may apply for competitive renewals, which are issued for one or two years. Undergraduate, graduate, medical school, and other health professional school loans qualify for repayment. An NIH grant or other NIH funding is not required to apply for or participate in the LRPs. 

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must possess a doctoral-level degree (with the exception of the contraception and infertility research LRP); be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident; devote 20 hours or more per week to conducting qualified research funded by a domestic nonprofit, university or government entity; and have qualified educational loan debt equal to or exceeding 20 percent of their institutional base salary.

AWARDS: Each year, nearly 1,600 research scientists benefit from the more than $70 million NIH invests in their careers through the extramural LRPs. Approximately 40 percent of new applications and 70 percent of renewal applications are funded. 

APPLICATION TIPS: For guidance on the application process and NIH Institute and Center (IC) research priorities, potential applicants should watch this webinar (http://go.usa.gov/aHx) , review Tips for Completing a Competitive Application (http://www.lrp.nih.gov/pdf/0310_1_application_tips.pdf )  and contact an IC LRP liaison (http://www.lrp.nih.gov/contact_us/IC_contacts_and_priorities.aspx ).

QUESTIONS? Visit the LRP website at http://www.lrp.nih.gov for more information and to access the online application. For additional assistance, call or e-mail the LRP Information Center at (866) 849-4047 or lrp@nih.gov. Also, receive application cycle updates and tips through Twitter @NIH_LRP and Facebook.

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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows Call for Applications

Application Deadline: November 9, 2011

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows program provides the nation’s most comprehensive fellowship experience at the nexus of health science, policy and politics in Washington, D.C. It is an outstanding opportunity for exceptional midcareer health professionals and behavioral and social scientists with an interest in health and health care policy. Fellows participate in the policy process at the federal level and use that leadership experience to improve health, health care, and health policy.

More details and how to apply:  http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=21374&cid=XEM_206611   

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Gates Foundation Grant Opportunities - New Grand Challenges Explorations Topics in Global Health and Development

Application Deadline:  November 17, 2011
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for Round 8 of Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to encourage innovative and unconventional global health and development solutions. Applicants can be at any experience level; in any discipline; and from any organization, including colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, non-profit organizations and for profit companies.

Grant proposals are being accepted online until November 17, 2011 on the following topics:
     
   NEW - Protect Crop Plants from Biotic Stresses From Field to Market
   NEW - Design new approaches to optimize immunization systems
   NEW - Explore New Solutions in Global Health Priority Areas
   Explore Nutrition for Healthy Growth of Infants and Children
   Apply Synthetic Biology to Global Health Challenges

Initial grants will be US $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of up to US $1 million.  Full descriptions of the new topics and application instructions are available at: HTTP://www.grandchallenges.org/r8_gce

Reminder:  All research applications should go through the Office of Sponsored Programs prior to submission.  Please contact your pre-award analyst (http://research.utmb.edu/aboutus/prepostspecialists.shtm) if you plan to apply for this opportunity.

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New Request for Proposals from the Melanoma Research Alliance

The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) released its 2011-2012 Request for Proposals (RFP). The RFP is available on the MRA website: http://www.curemelanoma.org/research/research.taf?cat=rfp.
The MRA is a public charity formed under the auspices of the Milken Institute, with the generous founding support of Debra and Leon Black.  The mission of the MRA is to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and its translation in order to eliminate suffering and death due to melanoma. For more information, please visit www.curemelanoma.org.

MRA plans to support at least $3 million in new funding for Individual Investigator Awards during the 2011-2012 cycle.  Awards will include

Young Investigator Award: Investigators within four years of their first academic faculty appointment will be provided $75,000 per year for two to three years to accomplish innovative, early concept scientific projects.

Established Investigator Award: Investigators with an established record of scientific productivity will receive up to $125,000 per year for two to three years to conduct projects supported by preliminary data.

Pilot Award: Potentially transformative pilot studies from investigators who are past the initial four years of their first academic faculty appointment will be considered for an award of $50,000 per year for two years. Pilot proposals are not required to contain extensive preliminary data, but must articulate a clear hypothesis and translational goals.

Established Investigator Partnership Awards

Of note, the RFP announces opportunities in partnership with the industrial research sector and other non-profit funders. MRA will not offer its Team Science Awards this cycle. Instead, collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer will fund a Melanoma Dream Team in 2012, which is currently being conducted under a separate RFP.

All proposals will be due on December 1, 2011. Proposals should be submitted via the Proposal Central on-line application tool: https://proposalcentral.altum.com/, which will be live by Monday, August 22nd.

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DOD Research Programs

FY11 Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP)
The LCRP was established in FY09 to promote innovative and competitive research focused on the development of integrated components to identify, treat, and manage early curable lung cancer, to include the establishment of a tissue bank.  This award supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking concepts in lung cancer. The maximum allowable funding is $75,000 for one year. Investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent).  For more information see http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/pdf/11lcrpreftable.pdf.

FY11 Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP)
The BCRP challenges the scientific community to design innovative, high-impact research that will address critical issues and foster new directions toward the vision of eradicating breast cancer. The BCRP promotes unique partnerships and multidisciplinary collaborations that will accelerate advances in breast cancer research.  See http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/pdf/11bcrpreftable2.pdf for more information.

FY11 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program (DMDRP) – NEW!
Supports translational  research that will have an impact on extending and improving the function, quality of life, and life span for all individuals diagnosed with DMD.
Go to http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/pdf/11dmdrpreftable.pdf for a brief description and key elements of the award mechanism.

FY11 Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP)
Research must be in one or more of the FY11 PRCRP Topic Areas.  Supports the exploration of a highly innovative, untested, high-risk/ potentially high-reward concepts, theories, paradigms, and/or methods. Maximum funding is $200,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs for two years.
Synopsis of FY11 PRCRP Award Mechanisms (http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/pdf/11prcrpreftable.pdf) - provides a brief description and key elements of the award mechanism.

FY11 Psychological Health/Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program (PH/TBIRP)
Supports basic and/or applied research (including early phase clinical trials) focused on the psychological health and well-being of military personnel and their families. Must address one of the PH/TBIRP’s specific task areas. Maximum of $1 M for four years for basic research and $3 M for four years for applied/clinical research.  For more information see the synopsis at http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/pdf/11phtbireftable.pdf

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HHMI Research Fellows Program Application Cycle Opens

Application Deadline: January 11, 2012, 1:00 p.m. CST
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Competition System is open for applications to the HHMI Medical Research Fellows Program.  The program offers students attending U.S. medical schools an opportunity to participate in a year-long, mentored, basic, translational, or applied biomedical research training experience at HHMI’s Janelia Farm Research Campus near Washington, D.C., or another academic or nonprofit institution other than the National Institutes of Health.  For more information, visit http://www.hhmi.org/grants/individuals/medfellows.html.   

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