University of Utah Neuroscience Initiative:
Request for Proposals
Neuroscience Initiative Pilot Collaborative Project Grant
Deadline for submission: Friday, April 17 2015
Overview
This Request for Proposals is for one year pilot collaborative projects that align with the vision of
the University of Utah Neuroscience Initiative. The initiative (http://www.neurogateway.utah.edu/)
was created with a goal of deepening our understanding of the brain and transforming this
understanding into innovative solutions for patient care. The Neuroscience Initiative will link basic,
translational, and clinical research in five disease pillars: 1) Demyelinating and neuroimmune
diseases, 2) Mood and behavior disorders, 3) Neural injury and recovery, 4) Neurodegenerative
disorders, 5) Episodic brain dysfunction. Foundational elements of neuroscience research, including
neural connectivity, genetics, neural engineering, imaging and analysis and clinical/translational
science are central to the initiative’s mission.
The purpose of this request for proposals is to catalyze the formation of translational research
teams, which will become competitive for extramural funding and accelerate research in areas that
align with the mission and goals of the Neuroscience Initiative. The initiative will provide one year of
funding for pilot collaborative projects involving co-investigators from two or more departments in
the School of Medicine (SOM), or from one SOM department and at least one other department at
the University of Utah. Proposals that include at least one clinical investigator are strongly
encouraged. Teams may compete for a second year of funding depending on progress and the plan
for extramural funding.
Proposal Preferences
Proposals for the pilot collaborative project grant may focus on a variety of topics, but must align
with the mission and goals of the Neuroscience Initiative. Applications must include faculty from two
or more departments, including a SOM department.
Preference will be given to applications that:
 Have clear clinical or translational relevance
 Have significant scientific merit
 Have a high potential for extramural funding
 Will build or strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships within the University of Utah
neuroscience community
 Align with the mission and goals of the Neuroscience Initiative
 Include at least one clinical investigator
Application Instructions
Only one proposal per applicant per application cycle will be accepted. The proposed project must not
be funded under another mechanism, nor may the proposal be submitted elsewhere. Gap funding to
bridge support between external grants or contracts will not be considered. All co-applicants must be at
least 0.75 FTE tenure track faculty or clinical/research faculty at the University of Utah. Submissions will
open on March 15 and are due at 5:00 PM on the due date, Friday, April 17, 2015. Applications must be
submitted electronically through the University of Utah’s FundingSpace interface, which will open on
March 15. A link to FundingSpace will be posted on www.neurogateway.utah.edu at that time.
Applications must include:
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Abstract of the proposal and specific aims (½ page each)
Detailed proposal (up to 2 pages, plus references)
Team: List project personnel and their roles (no more than ½ page)
A plan for extramural funding (up to ½ page)
Proposed project budget (not to exceed $50,000), following the guidelines below
Biographical sketch for each co-investigator (5 pages max)
Current and pending support for each co-investigator
Three suggested reviewers (University of Utah faculty), excluding collaborators and
department chairs.
Budget Guidelines
Please prepare a one-year project budget which allocates a maximum of $50,000 into the following
categories:
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Personnel: This may include technicians, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate
students
Supplies
Animal costs
Services: e.g. core facility fees
The budget may not include salary support for Principal Investigators, administrative support, travel, or
equipment.
Review & Funding of Proposals
Proposals will be reviewed by the Neuroscience Initiative Scientific Advisory Board & ad hoc reviewers to
ensure research excellence and programmatic alignment. Applicants will be informed of the status of
their proposal within 4-6 weeks of the submission deadline, with funding to begin on June 15, 2015.
Maximum funding per project is $50,000, with a project term of one year. Successful applicants may
compete with new proposals for a second year of funding. Grant administration is the responsibility of
the co-investigators.
At the end of the project period, funded proposals must provide a progress report of no more than
two pages in length describing the results of the research, future directions, and plans to secure
additional funding. Teams may also be selected to present at an on-campus symposium.
For questions regarding this RFP, please contact:
Rebecca Parker
Program Manager for the Neuroscience Initiative
(801) 585-0343
parker.becca@utah.edu
www.neurogateway.utah.edu