WV-INBRE Outreach Core
Faculty Research Development Grant Applications
(formerly called Pilot Grants)
Fiscal Year 2009-2010

Purpose: Enhance Biomedical Research at WV-INBRE Network Institutions

All faculty at WV-INBRE institutions are eligible to participate (except holders of major research projects). This is a significant change from previous years. There will no longer a distinction between Network Research Institutions (NRIs) and Network Outreach Institutions (NOIs).

The overall goal of the WV-INBRE is to continue development of a research network among predominantly undergraduate institutions, Marshall University School of Medicine (MUSOM) and the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center (WVUHSC). We now are announcing the availability of funds to support biomedical research projects to be carried out at the Network Institutions. It is expected that these grants will benefit the WV-INBRE network as a whole and each application must focus on a biomedical research project.

Types of grants available:

Individual investigators at each WV-INBRE Institution are eligible to apply for Faculty Research Development Research Grants in amounts ranging from $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000. Grants can be used to purchase supplies, pay for undergraduate research assistants, and summer salaries for the principal investigator. Equipment purchases will be considered. Participation by undergraduates is required. The funds requested will go to the investigator’s institution and not to MUSOM or WVUHSC. Funding of the grant will begin May 1, 2009 and funds must be expended by April 30, 2010. Funding is, of course, contingent upon renewal of the WV-INBRE project.

Evaluation:

The WV-INBRE Administrative Core will evaluate these applications with the assistance of WVU and Marshall researchers knowledgeable in the area, and make awards consistent with the overall guidelines outlined in the NIH WV-INBRE award statement. The selection criteria will be based on scientific merit and relevance of the project to the network. Requested equipment must be clearly justified as being essential for the conduct of the proposed research and not to more general departmental or institutional needs/wants. The scientific merit of the project will be evaluated first, followed by evaluation of the need for the requested equipment and supplies. Preliminary data indicating project viability will be a major factor in awarding larger requests as well as for requests for continued funding of projects previously supported by WV-INBRE.

Application Information:

Each application should be single spaced no smaller than 11 point font, using NIH form PHS 398 available from the NIH web site at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm. Note: While the NIH is moving to mandatory electronic submission of grants, INBRE will continue to use paper submission of our Faculty Research Development Grant applications. The application should contain the following information:

Institutional Endorsement: Include the NIH cover sheet signed by the Principal Investigator and the institutional official authorized to make a commitment of resources needed to carry out the proposed research.

Principal Investigator: (i.e., the individual preparing the application) and key personnel, including a mentor, (if proposed): biographical sketch (no more than 2 pages each).

Abstract: (250 words or less)

Research Plan: Include Objectives, Specific Aims, Background, Experimental Design (protocols if required). Page limits: larger grants, 6 pages (not including references and appendices). Details of research procedures or research publications may be included in an appendix. The body of the proposal should include enough detail for a reviewer to grasp what is proposed.

Network Value: While it is viewed as beneficial to the investigator to have a WVU or MU mentor associated with the project, this is not a requirement. Describe how this project will benefit the WV-INBRE or the principal investigator’s institution (1/2 page maximum).

Budget and Justification (Up to three pages)

The budget must clearly justify requests.

Budget Guidelines:
Funds may be requested to support the following:

1. Support of student workers (fringe benefits may be requested).

2. Summer salary for the principal investigator may be requested.

3. Consumable supplies.

4. Equipment required for carrying out the proposed research (computer purchases will not be considered).

5. Services (i.e., outside laboratory fees or publication costs)

6. Indirect costs not to exceed 10% of total direct costs unless the institution has negotiated a higher rate with the NIH. On these Faculty Research Development Grants the Administrative Core will look favorably on institutions that limit indirect costs to 10% or less of total direct costs. In any case total awards are capped at $50,000 including indirect costs.

While institutional match is not required, all forms of institutional commitment should be defined and documented (letter from appropriate institutional official).

Human or animal research: Research involving human or animal subjects must have IRB or ACUC approval before it can be initiated. Although an approved human or animal subject protocol is not required for submission of an application, an approved protocol and NIH notification will be required before funds are released. Institutional approval may also be necessary if the work involves hazards of biological origin. Institutions that do not have these review committees must utilize existing committees at WVUHSC or MUSOM (contact Dr. Robert Griffith for assistance).

These grants may be considered for renewal pending satisfactory progress, as demonstrated by the yearly progress report which is required for all projects (due June15, 2010 or at the time a renewal application is submitted). If this application is a renewal, please include a one-two page summary of progress to date.

Submit five copies of each application to: Dr. Robert K. Griffith, Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, P.O. Box 9540, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV 26506. All proposals must be received by Friday January 23, 2009.

The Administrative Core will evaluate the proposals and notify investigators of the status of their applications by February 13, 2009. All funds awarded must be spent by the end of the grant year (April 30, 2010).

Faculty Research Development Grant recipients are required to present the results of their research, which may be preliminary in nature if this is the first year of WV-INBRE support, at the 2009 Summer Research Symposium, which will be held at Marshal University on July 30, 2010. Failure to present at this meeting will jeopardize eligibility for further WV-INBRE funding.