Request for Applications: Integrative Neuroscience Pilot Projects
The Integrative Neuroscience COBRE invites applications for pilot projects focused on research within a
substantive area of Neuroscience, broadly defined. Applicants may request between $50,000 and
$100,000 in direct costs, and project should be aimed at acquiring preliminary data in support of NIH or
comparable grant applications and for publication in peer reviewed journals. Preference will be given to
junior faculty and projects that utilize the resources of the COBRE Neuroimaging Core and /or Special
Populations Database Core (see http://www.unr.edu/neuroscience), and it is expected that applications
for future extramural funding will include usage of the Cores as a central component of the planned
research. Investigators must meet the eligibility criteria for COBRE junior investigators (see below).
Submitted applications will be reviewed by members of the COBRE Internal and External Advisory
Committees, with final decisions contingent on availability of funds and NIH approval of the projects.
The COBRE anticipates funding two to four pilot projects in the next fiscal year.
The pilot program funds may be renewable; however, continuation of the funding after the first year is
contingent upon success in meeting project goals, clear effort toward submitting and publishing
manuscripts, and the feasibility that the research project will develop into a fundable extramural
application. Researchers will be required to submit a progress report prior to the end of the first year
outlining progress made to date, any manuscripts published, in press, or under review, and how the data
acquired will contribute to an NIH or comparable application. Progress reports will be reviewed and
evaluated by members of the COBRE’s internal and external advisory committees.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for Junior Investigators on the Neuroscience COBRE (see
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-286.html). This includes:
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a position with independent institutional support that allows the individual to serve as a PI on a
federal grant submission
a demonstrated record of research productivity in Neuroscience and potential to achieve the
status of an independently-funded investigator
no prior major funding as Principal Investigator from NIH (R01) or NSF or comparable sources
Current or previous recipients of COBRE project support are not eligible to apply and may not serve as
collaborators on the projects.
Pilot projects cannot overlap with or be used to support the specific aims of currently funded research
projects. If a pilot grant is being requested to strengthen an unfunded grant submission, the specific
aims of this grant must be included in the pilot grant application.
Application process
Applicants should submit the proposal electronically as a single PDF file that includes:
1.
Face page. (on NIH PHS 398 Face page)
2.
Project summary page. (on PHS 398 Form Page 2)
3.
Five-page summary of research plans including a clear statement of how the research is relevant
to the COBRE's thematic interests, a clear statement of the projected use of COBRE subsidized
research cores, and how the pilot project will facilitate a future grant submission. The research
plan should follow standard NIH format (see PHS 398 instructions) and include subsections for
specific aims, background and significance, innovation and approach, and literature cited (not
included in page limit). (on PHS 398 Continuation Format Page)
4.
Projects that include human subjects, vertebrate animals or biohazards must include the
appropriate narratives as detailed in the PHS 398 instructions.
5.
NIH-style biographical sketch including all active and past grant support (on NIH Biographical
Sketch Format Page)
6.
Detailed budget limited to up to $100,000 in direct costs. Allowed expenses include: lab
expenses, graduate student or postdoc salaries and expenses, travel for training or for
presenting project results at professional conferences. Support for PI salary or consultant salary
is not allowable. (on PHS 398 Form Page 4: Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period)
7.
List of current and pending research grant awards (on PHS 398 Other Support Format Page)
8.
IRB or IACUC protocols must be approved prior to funding.
The PHS 398 forms can be downloaded from http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm.
Conditions of Award
Awardees will be required to sign a memorandum of agreement as a condition of the allocation of funds
for their research project. This memorandum notes that recipients are expected to:
1.
Participate in training opportunities provided by the COBRE;
2.
Present their work at national meetings, and cite the University of Nevada, Reno Integrative
Neuroscience COBRE as a source of support at these presentations and in publications resulting
from their research work;
3.
Submit a written progress reports to allow the faculty to assess their progress and productivity.
4.
As a core component of the COBRE training program, each pilot grant recipient will be matched
with a senior faculty mentor who will provide guidance on specific aspects of research work,
educational opportunities, and career development.
5.
All funds must be expended by May 31, 2015.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by email to Michael Webster, Director, Integrative Neuroscience COBRE
at mwebster@unr.edu by June 15, 2014. The earliest anticipated start date is August 1, 2014.