NC CHILDREN’S PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Purpose
The North Carolina Children’s Promise (NCCP) Research Grant program will be funding a limited number
of grants to support faculty or fellow pediatric-related projects. The NCCP grant program aims to assist
new investigators in developing their research efforts and to provide support for established
investigators with new projects or lapsed funding.
The Promise Grant Program supports research in three grant categories:

Category A: Seed money for junior faculty investigators

Category B: Established faculty investigators
o Bridge funding
o Funding for novel projects

Category C: Fellows research
General Eligibility Criteria and Guidelines
Applicants for a NCCP Research Grant must be faculty in the Department of Pediatrics or at North
Carolina Children’s Hospital, or be a current fellow in good standing within UNC Hospitals. Only one
proposal may be submitted per applicant. Applications will be evaluated by a review committee
comprised of representative faculty from the Department of Pediatrics and the North Carolina Children’s
Hospital.
Description of the Grant Types


Length of award: Each award can be made for up to an 18-month period. Extensions beyond the
grant date may be requested for special circumstances. Extensions typically are not allowed for
awards made under Category C. All extensions shall require approval by NCCP Research Grant
Executive Committee.
Start date: Upon approval of funding there will be a specific start date for all grants, and
investigators will not have access to their funds until all appropriate University, IACUC, and/or
IRB approvals have been received (human or animal subjects, biohazards, etc).
Specific information about each type of grant follows.
Maximum
Award Amount
Intended for
A: Junior Researchers
B: Established faculty
investigators
C: Fellows
$50,000
$50,000
$5,000
Individuals who have not
previously competed
successfully for an NIHsupported research project,
specifically Assistant
Individuals who have a
track record of NIH
funding and display
scholarly productivity
Intended for all fellows
in a training program
performing a research
component.
Professors or Instructors who
need preliminary data for an
extramural grant application.
Requirements
for Award
The applicant must present a
clear research proposal and a
plan that has a high
likelihood for leading to an
extramural grant application.
It is expected that an
extramural grant application
will be submitted within 6
months of the completion of
the NCCP research proposal.
through publications.
The applicant must
demonstrate that the
project has high promise
of successful extramural
funding.
It is expected that an
extramural grant
application will be
submitted within 6
months of the completion
of the NCCP Grant
proposal.
Mentors are
committing to help the
applicant present
and/or publish research
results.
The applicant must
complete a final
progress report at the
end of the award.
Category B: Established Investigators
This category has been divided into two subcategories:
B.1. Bridge funding – This subcategory is specifically intended for currently or recently funded
investigators with a proven track record of NIH funding who need funding to “bridge” research
costs between grant applications (though investigator support is not covered). This subcategory
requires that investigators target renewed or new NIH funding for long-term support and this
intent must be outlined in the application. Only investigators who have submitted a NIH grant
that has received a positive review but was not funded are eligible for bridging funding. The
applicant must include the official summary statement with the NCCP Grant application.
B.2. Funding for Novel Projects – This subcategory is specifically intended for established
investigators who would like to expand or redirect research activities toward a new extramural
funding opportunity.
Category C: Fellows Research
Applicants must apply with a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors partnering with fellows will assume
responsibility for stewardship of funds and program compliance, including any issues following the
fellow’s graduation and departure from the program. Signature documentation of this agreement is
required and is part of the application (Faculty Support Form). Mentors are asked to submit a letter of
support that demonstrates a mentoring plan for the fellow and a Biosketch in NIH format. Please see
Attachment 2 for a description of what needs to be included in this letter.
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Grant Application
Application packets should contain the following:
1. Completed proposal
a. Cover page request for funding
b. Abstract page
c. Project description (3 page limit, start with specific aims)
d. Impact on career (faculty) or training (fellow) (1 page limit)
e. Budget information (Budget form and budget justification form)
f. Certification and approval(s)
2. Biosketch in NIH format
3. Other support form
4. Letters of support (Faculty Support Form and Faculty Mentor Letter of Support are required for
fellow grant applications)
5. Email from Division Chief (faculty only) acknowledging approval of the grant
Application packets should be submitted to Pam Fogelman, fogleman@unc.edu, in Pediatric
Administration no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 5, 2015.
Proposal Review, Scoring and Feedback
The Review Process
The NCCP Grant review and scoring process is designed to provide valuable feedback to PIs who are
“learning the ropes,” and to promote fairness and high standards in the grant writing process as well as
to support the research community’s efforts for self-improvement and pursuit of extramural funding.
All applications must undergo a design and statistical review prior to the submission deadline date. This
may be performed by a fellow investigator, mentor, collaborator, or biostatistician. The individual who
completes this review must sign and date the applicant’s main application form. Please be sure the
study’s stated aims and the statistical analysis plan are consistent.
After submission, each proposal is assigned a primary and a secondary reviewer from the Review
Committee. Each proposal will be reviewed, scored, prioritized and presented to the Review Committee
by the primary and/or secondary reviewer(s).
The Review Committee is comprised of Department of Pediatrics and North Carolina Children’s Hospital
faculty members chosen for their excellence in research and experience in such a review process. The
Review Committee will recommend each grant be either “Approved for Consideration of Funding” or
“Not Approved for Consideration of Funding.” The Review Committee then presents these
recommendations to the Review Executive Committee, who makes the final funding decision.
Possible scores assigned to a faculty proposal (Categories A – B)
1
2
3
4
5
Approved for Consideration of Funding
Minor revisions (executive committee review)*
Major revisions (requires re-evaluation by the primary and secondary reviewers)*
Resubmit next deadline
Triaged; No resubmission will be accepted
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Possible scores assigned to a fellow proposal (Category C)
1
2
3
Approved for Consideration of Funding
Considered for Funding after Revision (goes back to the primary and secondary reviewers)*
Do Not Fund
* Applicants receiving a request for any type of revisions will have an opportunity to review the
Reviewer comments and respond. The Review Committee may change the score based on the
applicant’s response to the Reviewer comments. Any proposal (initial score of 2 or 3) that does not
receive a subsequent score of 1 on reconsideration will be returned to the investigator for possible
reconsideration at a future funding cycle.
Proposals are scored on the following areas:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Does the applicant meet the eligibility criteria for the category to which s/he has applied?
Quality and merit
Impact
Novelty
Is the hypothesis valid with the supporting evidence?
Logical aims
Are procedures adequate and feasible?
Are investigators qualified?
Is there the potential for future funding?
Is the budget appropriate for the submission?
Has the applicant appropriately met requirements for past Promise Grant awards (applicable to
submissions for PIs who currently have a Promise grant or have had one in the past)?
Feedback from the Review Committee
In order to provide ample feedback to PIs, applicants will receive notification of the grant status
following the Review Committee meeting. Along with notification that their grant was either approved
or not approved for funding, applicants will receive the reviewers’ comments, the score from the Review
Committee and the priority score.
Post Award Process & Financial Management
Before the funded project can start, the appropriate accounts must be set up in the UNC Department of
Pediatrics financial data systems.
Upon notification of an award, PIs will have 18 months from date of award to complete his or her
research, allowing ample time to receive IACUC, IRB, and any other approvals necessary. Investigators
will not have access to funds until the proper protocols have been approved. PIs are responsible for
obtaining the necessary approvals and maintaining current certifications of training in research
(IRB/OHRP, HIPPA).
Faculty Grants: Extensions of up to one year may be allowed when human subjects are involved in the
study and recruitment numbers have not been achieved at the end of the study period. Extensions shall
require approval by NCCP Grant Review Executive Committee.
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Sharon Boyd will manage all NCCP research grant accounts.
Promise Grant Account Reviews
Account reviews are mandatory, both after a time period of one year and 90 days prior to the
completion of the project. Any funds remaining in the project after the end of the 18 month period will
be returned to the Promise Grants program.
Promise Grant Tracking Program
PIs are expected to complete a questionnaire after the time period of one year as well as a final progress
report to UNC at the end of the award period. Failure to submit either one of these reports may
jeopardize future Promise Grant applications by the investigator.
All Promise Grant awards will be entered into a tracking program to evaluate the productivity of
investigators related to extramural funding applications, awards, publications, and research
development. Grant and manuscript tracking of award productivity begins on the date of the award
(account set-up date). Future Promise Grant applications will have this tracking information made
available to the reviewers and the Promise Grants committee for consideration in their deliberations.
Investigators that have successfully fulfilled the grant submission and publication requirements within
the appropriate period of time will have this accomplishment highlighted during the application process
for future Promise Grants funding.
Citing the Promise Grants program
Promise Grant-supported researchers should acknowledge support from the Promise Grants program in
their publications and presentations (e.g., “This research was supported, in part, by the North Carolina
Children’s Promise Research Grants Program”).
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Attachment 1 – Approved and Not Approved Expenses
This attachment provides guidance regarding expenses that Promise Grant awards may or may not
cover.
Note: These lists are not necessarily all inclusive. Please contact Sharon Boyd with any questions about
whether or not NCCP funds cover any possible expense.
Approved Expenses
Biostatistical Support
Computer/Software (with clear justification they are needed for research).
Any information technology-related purchases deemed essential to the project by the awards
committee must be approved by Department of Pediatrics IT. All hardware and software will be
considered property of the Department, and the Department will determine appropriate
disposition of such items at the end of the project.
Equipment
Office Supplies (research related only)
Postage for Submissions and in General (research related)
Publication Costs of Publishers (submit info from publisher)
Salary and Fringe Benefit (UNC faculty not allowed; other research positions may be allowed, but must
be approved by PI’s department via the routing/signature process)
Supplies for Research Projects; Actual Research Costs
Travel exceeding no more than $1,000 for presentation of research at national meeting (for PIs who do
not have funds)
Not Approved Expenses
Any Expense not Directly Related to Research Activity
Any Personal Professional Expense
Board Exam Fees
Board Review Courses
DEA#
Grant Writing/Editing for Submissions, Articles, etc.
Lab Coats
Medical Licenses
Membership Dues to Societies and Professional Organizations
Periodicals
Professional Liability Insurance
Subscriptions
Telephone and Pager
Travel (unless PI has no funds)
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Attachment 2 – Faculty Mentor Letter of Support
Applicants submitting under Category C must apply with a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors partnering
with fellows or research residents will assume responsibility for stewardship of funds and program
compliance, including any issues remaining following the resident or fellow’s graduation and departure
from the program. Signature documentation of this agreement is required and is part of the application
(Faculty Support Form). Mentors are asked to submit a letter of support that demonstrates a mentoring
plan. The letter should include:
1) Does the mentor have prior experience in mentioning trainees?
2) Does the mentor have the adequate time available that is needed to oversee this project?
3) What resources does the mentor possess and what resources will be needed in order to carry
out the proposed project? Any new resources needed should be requested in the budget.
4) A timetable showing expected progress on the project.
5) A commitment by the mentor to help the fellow present and/or publish the research.
The Faculty Mentor Letter of Support should be included with the application following the completed
Faculty Support Form, and Biosketch in NIH format.
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