Institute for Engineering in Medicine
Request for Proposals
Group Program Proposals
Fiscal Year 2015
Program Features: Multidisciplinary groups of investigators working together to enhance positions that seek
program/center/group external block funding, for the goal of making major contributions in significant medical
and health research using engineering approaches. Proposing investigators should have track records of their
demonstrated capabilities in tackling major medical and health problems.
Program Proposals: Proposals can be in any area of engineering that is related to biomedicine and health,
with the expectation that the research aims to strengthen University of Minnesota capabilities in addressing
significant biomedical and health problems using engineering approaches. Proposals in Cardiovascular
Engineering, Neuroengineering, Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, Medical and Biological
Imaging, and Medical Devices research are particularly encouraged. These programs should aim at tackling
major problems with multidisciplinary approaches, including investigators from AHC and CSE who have
demonstrated track records of conducting externally funded biomedical research. The proposals should
describe the science behind the proposed program, and detailed plans on how to seek major external funding in
order to tackle the problems to be addressed. IEM funding is not intended to replace external funding for the
research conduction, but rather to help develop strong external proposals, produce pilot data through
collaboration for seeking new external funding, or provide the basis for establishing a national center or
program. As such, a detailed plan should be provided on how the proposing faculty group will work together,
what specific external funding opportunities will be addressed, and why and how the IEM seed funding will be
necessary to achieve the goal. Group proposals, if funded, may be renewed for a second year, contingent upon
demonstrated productivity.
Multiple PIs are encouraged for the group program proposals, with at least one PI each from AHC and CSE.
All PIs and Co-Is must be IEM members, or must have submitted an application for IEM membership at the
time of the proposal submission. Track records, if applicable, of past IEM grant recipients (in terms of securing
external funding or making major discoveries) will be a factor of consideration during the decision making
process. Proposals will be peer reviewed.
Project Period: The project period is for one year, and will start pending acceptance.
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Scientific strength and impact
2. Potential to generate new block external funding
3. Expertise and track records of investigators
4. Strength of collaboration between AHC and CSE
Deadline: Applications should be submitted in a single pdf to iem@umn.edu by March 10, 2015, 9:00AM.
Questions and application submissions regarding any IEM grant program may be directed to:
iem@umn.edu, or Adam Klein at 612-624-8483.
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IEM Group Program Proposal Application FY15
≤ 1 page
Contact PI (name and department):
Other PIs (names and departments):
Other Co-Is:
Project Title:
Proposed Amount:
Summary of proposed group program (no more than 250 words):
Contact Mailing Address:
Phone:
Email:
PI Signature: (the contact PI may type the name below and e-mail the proposal from his/her UMN account)
This is to confirm that if an award is granted by IEM, staff/administrative support will be provided by PI’s home
department.
Department Head Signature: (An e-mail from the Dept Head maybe attached with the proposal to serve as signature)
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Abstract
≤ 1 page
Provide a summary of the long term scientific goal and specific aims for the research program, goals of seeking
block external funding to materialize the research undertaking, and impact of the research if successfully
completed.
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Narrative for Development
Up to 4 pages
Elaborate the scientific goals of the proposed research program and its significance. Explain how the
assembled group will plan on developing this research program in order to obtain major external funding (U54,
U01, PPG, etc.) or develop the research to create a national/international center or program (ERC, STC, etc.).
Describe specific funding programs (may be multiple) to be pursued, timeline for submissions, pilot data
needed to enhance such external proposals, and any planned group activities to develop and sustain research
collaboration networks.
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Prior Funding
If the PI or a Co-PI previously received IEM seed funding as PI or Co-PI, the following must be provided.
List all IEM funded projects over the past 5 years with project title, PI(s) names, duration, and amount.
For each funded IEM project, please list any results that you have gained from the previous funding,
specifically:
 External Funding (agency, total amount, grant title, dates, your role)
 Peer Reviewed Journal Publications (title, authors, journal name, pages, year)
 Invention Disclosures to UMN
 Patent Applications (note if awarded)
 Students supported and notable achievements of students
 Other achievements partially due to the support of the previous IEM funding
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Additional Materials to Submit
1. References (no more than 1 page)
2. Current NIH-formatted biosketches for all investigators, including other support information.
3. Detailed budget with justification
a. Up to $60,000 (Applicants should thoroughly justify the amount proposed and should only
propose what is needed. If PIs have existing external funding, it should be made clear why pilot
data cannot be produced using existing external funding.)
b. The IEM group funds can be used to support justifiable costs associated with the proposed
activities, including research assistants support, supplies and materials, necessary travel and
faculty release time (up to 1 week per PI per external proposal development).
4. Matching funds, if available. Include letter from matching entity.
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