Limited Submissions - NIH (A-M)

National Institutes of Health - NICHD - Academic-Community Partnership Conference Series (R13)

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) encourages Research Conference Grant (R13) applications to conduct health disparities-related meetings, workshops, and symposia. The purpose of the Academic-Community Partnership Conference Series is to bring together academic institutions/organizations and community organizations to identify opportunities for addressing health disparities through the use of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). The objectives of meetings conducted as part of this award will be to: (1) establish and/or enhance academic-community partnerships; (2) identify community-driven research priorities, and (3) develop long-term collaborative CBPR research agendas. It is expected these partnerships will lead to grant applications for the support of CBPR projects designed to meet identified community needs. The areas of focus for these partnerships may include one or more of the following community-health issues: infant mortality; Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); fibroid tumors; childhood, adolescent, and/or adult obesity; health literacy; techniques for outreach and information dissemination; pediatric and maternal HIV/AIDS prevention; and violence prevention.

Applicants may request direct costs of up to $30,000 per year for up to three years. Guidelines and additional information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-12-102.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, July 17, 2012:

• Names and departments of PI and key personnel
• Name(s) of community organization(s) if already identified

• Provide an overview (1 – 2 pages) of the proposed academic-community partnership conference including area(s) of research focus, the specific aims, problems to be addressed, and contributions the conference might stimulate.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

Deadlines:  NIH requires advance permission to submit an application for all conference grant/cooperative agreement applications no later than four weeks before the receipt date. The next receipt deadline for applications to the Academic-Community Partnership Conference Series is October 17, 2012.

National Institutes of Health - FIC - AIDS International Training and Research Program (AITRP) (D43) – PAR-10-219

The Fogarty International Center (FIC), together with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), encourages renewal and new applications in the AIDS International Training and Research (AITRP) program. The application must propose a research training program that will strengthen the capacity of institutions in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), defined by the World Bank classification system, to conduct HIV-related research. The proposed research training program must be developed and implemented collaboratively with all participating institutions. The proposed research training program must take advantage of on-going research at the LMIC institution. This research does not need to be NIH-funded, but it needs to be active and able to support the proposed research training program. If the applicant is an U.S. institution, the research must be active and conducted in collaboration with the LMIC institutions named in the application.

Additional information and guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-219.html.

Because the sponsor limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this opportunity are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, July 7, 2010:

• Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
• Provide a 1-2 page overview of the proposed research training program, including the name(s) of the participating international institution(s), the goals, objectives, and research capacity building activities at the LMIC institution(s)

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The next NIH deadline is August 16, 2010.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

Because the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging plans to respond to this solicitation and submit an application for the October 13, 2010 deadline, there will be no internal competition.  Interested researchers should contact Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director.

National Institutes of Health - NIA - Alzheimer’s Disease Core Centers (P30)

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites applications from qualified institutions for support of Alzheimer's Disease Core Centers (ADCCs). These centers are designed to support and conduct research on Alzheimer's disease (AD), to serve as shared research resources that will facilitate research in AD and related disorders, distinguish them from the processes of normal brain aging and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), provide a platform for training, develop novel techniques and methodologies, and translate these research findings into better diagnostic, prevention and treatment strategies. 

Complete RFA:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-11-005.html.  Only one application per institution may be submitted.

National Institutes of Health - NIAID - Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (U19)

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) invites new or renewal applications from single institutions and consortia of institutions to participate in the Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (AADCRC) program. The purpose of this AADCRC Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support basic and clinical research on the immunological basis, pathobiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of asthma and allergic diseases and to accelerate the application of fundamental knowledge of immune function to the investigation, prevention, and treatment of asthma and allergic diseases.

Applications considered to be responsive to this FOA must be composed of a minimum of three interrelated research projects structured around a central scientific theme that is clearly relevant to the pathogenesis of, and intervention strategies for asthma and allergic diseases. The majority of research proposed must meet the NIH definition of clinical research (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/hs/index.htm) and should involve individuals with clinically defined asthma and/or allergic diseases, or should involve specimens from such individuals. Healthy volunteers may be included in proposed clinical studies only as controls. Clinical trials, if proposed, are limited to Phase I or Phase II trials.

Guidelines and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-12-006.html

Because the NIAID limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, January 26, 2012:

• Names and departments of PI and key personnel

• Project description (1 – 2 pages) – Provide an overview of the central focus or theme of the proposed center and a description of the three interrelated research projects as center components

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission.  Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

Deadlines: Optional letter of intent: March 24, 2012; complete application: April 24, 2012.

National Institutes of Health - Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (BRAINS) (R01) - RFA-MH-09-100

***note: only one application per college is permitted, please establish and coordinate your college’s process for this competition.***

Purpose. The Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (BRAINS) is intended to support the research and research career development of outstanding scientists who are in the early, formative stages of their careers and who plan to make a long term career commitment to research in specific mission areas of the NIMH. This award seeks to assist these individuals in launching an innovative clinical, translational, or basic research program that holds the potential to profoundly transform the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of mental disorders, paving the way for a cure. Each year the BRAINS program will focus on a specific area of research and research career development need. In this inaugural year the focus of the BRAINS program is neurodevelopment.

Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism and is intended for first time R01 investigators.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIMH intends to commit up to $5,000,000 in total costs to fund up to 6 new grants in FY 2009.

Budget and Project Period. An applicant may request a project period of up to five years and budget for direct costs up to $1.625 million with no more than $400,000 in any single year.

Application Research Plan Component Length: Items 2-5 of the PHS398 Research Plan component are limited to 10 pages.

Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs). Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution/ organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

Number of PDs/PIs. Only one PD/PI may be designated on the application.

Number of Applications. Only one application per school or college within a university will be accepted.Contact your college Associate Dean for Research for information about your college’s internal selection procedure and deadlines.

Resubmissions. Resubmission applications are not permitted in response to this FOA.

Renewals. Renewal applications are not permitted in response to this FOA.

Special Date(s). This FOA uses non-standard due dates. Deadline is February 3, 2009.

For additional information see:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-09-100.html

National Institutes of Health - NIA - Biomarkers for Older Controls at Risk for Dementia (BIOCARD) Study

NIA has issued RFA-AG-09-002 to solicit cooperative agreement applications that will extend the clinical and neuropsychological follow-up of individuals who have been enrolled in the Biomarkers for Older Controls at Risk for Dementia (BIOCARD) Study.  The BIOCARD Study is a longitudinal study that was initiated in 1995 in the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Intramural Research Program.  It assessed the ability of clinical, neuropsychological, and neuropsychiatric evaluations, neuroimaging, and fluid biomarkers to understand and predict progression from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It enrolled cognitively normal individuals who were first degree relatives of family members who had dementia. Average age at entry was 55 years, and these participants received cognitive testing every year, a full cognitive battery every two years, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a lumbar puncture for collection of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) every 2-4 years.  As of 2005, some participants had been followed for up to 10 years.  The BIOCARD Study was suspended in 2005 but in September 2007 the National Advisory Council on Aging approved the development of the RFA to extend the clinical and neuropsychological evaluations of the BIOCARD participants who will consent to be followed. In addition, all of the previous clinical and neuropsychological data which have been collected, the biological samples which have been stored (plasma, CSF), and the MRI data from consenting participants will be provided to the successful grantee with the provision that a system will be set up to share these data and samples with the greater scientific community as well as the data and samples that will be collected during this extension period.

The objective of this announcement is to solicit cooperative agreement applications that will provide for the medical, clinical, neuropsychological, and neuropsychiatric follow-up of individuals who were enrolled in the BIOCARD Study and to diagnose any participants who progress to mild cognitive impairment and/or dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Because most of these participants are older individuals living in the greater Washington, DC area, traveling long distances would be an added burden. Therefore the grantee must be able to provide facilities to test participants at a site within approximately a 70-mile radius of Washington, DC.

Additional information and details about the specific requirements of this RFA are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-09-002.html

Most recent internal deadline: April 21, 2008.

Most recent external deadline: June 11, 2008.

National Institutes of Health - Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies (BRDG-SPAN) Pilot Program (RC3)

The NIH solicits grant applications for a new initiative called Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies (BRDG-SPAN) Pilot Program (RC3). The purpose of this pilot program is to address the funding gap between promising research and development (R&D) and transitioning to the market by contributing to the critical funding applicants need to carry out later stage research activities necessary for commercialization. This program aims to accelerate the transition of research innovations and technologies toward the development of products or services that will improve human health, help advance the mission of the NIH, and create significant value and economic stimulus. It also aims to foster partnerships among a variety of research and development (R&D) collaborators working toward these aims.

The NIH intends to commit at least $35 million to this initiative and anticipates funding at least 10 awards in fiscal year 2010.  Applications received in response to this announcement may be given funding priority if the project is deemed to have high commercial potential to be developed into a product or service as indicated by the underserved need being addressed, the lack of alternative resources in the market and/or the applicant’s ability to secure funding or in-kind support from an independent third-party investor and/or strategic partner, etc. The requested budget is limited to $1 million total costs per year for a maximum of three years. The NIH encourages but does not require cost sharing or matching funds under this pilot program. Third party in-kind contributions may be made by any nonfederal source (except subcontractors working on an RC3 project) and may include, but not be limited to, equipment, supplies, research tools, software, or other property/services/external value as distinct from monetary investments. Please note that UK is not a third party and will not provide cost sharing.

The RFA encourages submissions by United States for-profit enterprises/commercial organizations doing a majority of their business in the United States. Applications received under this announcement may be given funding priority if the applicant is associated with an enterprise/commercial organization that is of small size (e.g., 500 or fewer employees), and/or of limited resources, such as an early-stage company, and/or one positioned for receiving funding or in-kind support from a third-party investor and/or strategic partner, etc. The applicant United States institution/organization must be located in the 50 states, territories and possessions of the U.S., Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or District of Columbia. NIH encourages applications from all interested organizations/institutions, including those from Institutional Development Award (IDeA) states.

Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct. The NIH will not accept similar grant applications with essentially the same research focus from the same applicant organization. This includes derivative or multiple applications that propose to develop a single product, process, or service that, with non-substantive modifications, can be applied to a variety of purposes. Applicants may not simultaneously submit identical/essentially identical applications under both this funding opportunity and any other HHS FOA.

Additional details and proposal requirements are provided in the complete RFA:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-09-008.html

To avoid the possibility that UK investigators will propose similar grant applications with essentially the same research focus, UK researchers planning to respond to this initiative are to submit a pre-proposal with the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Friday, July 10, 2009:

• Names and departments of PI and project team
• Participating institutions/organizations

1. Project description (3-4 pages) – Identify the specific aims and describe how achieving these aims will improve technological advances, technical capability, clinical practice, and/or health. Describe the commercial potential of the project to lead to a marketable product, process or service. Describe the research design, including milestones to be met.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

Depending on the responses received, the Vice President for Research may need to appoint a committee to review the pre-proposals. The NIH requests a letter of intent by August 3, 2009 and requires the complete application by September 1, 2009.

National Institutes of Health - Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program

NIH Programs to Increase Numbers of Underrepresented Students in the Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences

The NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program support five-year projects that promote inter-institutional partnerships to improve the quality and quantity of students from underrepresented groups and or health disparities populations being trained as the next generation of biomedical and behavioral research scientists.

Bridges to the Baccalaureate (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-411.html) supports partnerships between community colleges and colleges or universities offering baccalaureate degrees to develop programs that prepare associate degree students to successfully complete undergraduate degree programs in biomedical and/or behavioral science related subjects. The proposed partnership should be composed of no more than four institutions, including the applicant institution. Applications must clearly describe the pool of targeted students at each associate degree-granting institution in the consortium and must indicate the number of targeted students from each two-year institution and the total number of targeted students who would participate in the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program during the academic year and summer. NIH anticipates that a total of 15-20 Bridges students will participate in the student development activities, including summer research internships, each year and that a minimum of four Bridges students from each two-year institution will participate in the program to provide a critical mass.

Examples of developmental activities may include, but are not limited to:
1) The partner institutions jointly developing community college courses and curricula, including enrichment and updating existing or developing new science and math courses that would be fully transferable for baccalaureate degree credit at the participating baccalaureate institution(s);
2) Faculty from the baccalaureate institution(s) serving as visiting lecturers, offering lectures and/or laboratory courses in areas in which expertise is lacking at the participating two-year institution(s), or developing joint team-taught courses;
3) Introduction of research concepts into the community college curriculum (see for example, http://www.nigms.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/4BE54B5B-AAD7-4856-9FDF-70E3DBE7023F/0/SnellmanReprint.pdf, and http://www.lifescied.org/cgi/content/full/5/2/175) and/or offering a research skills course to stimulate students’ interest in science;
4) Faculty from the baccalaureate institution(s) providing mentored research experiences to Bridges students from the participating community college(s), including the summer research internship;
5) Allowing community college students the option to take some courses at the baccalaureate institution(s) and/or access to computer and library facilities;
6) Supplementary instruction in “gate-keeping” courses, peer mentoring and tutoring, research careers seminars, workshops, and science fairs, etc.;
7) Preparing community college students, through college orientation classes, etc., for transfer to the baccalaureate institution(s); and
8) Advanced or special courses for Bridges faculty from community colleges at the partner baccalaureate institution(s) and attending research education conferences.

NIH places an institutional limit on both programs. An applicant institution may not submit, or have pending, more than one Bridges to the Baccalaureate application and may not submit, or have pending, more than one Bridges to the Doctorate application. Deadlines for both program are September 18, 2007; January 18, 2008; September 18, 2008; January 20, 2009; September 18, 2009; January 20, 2010.

Most recent internal deadline: December 10, 2007.

See above for the most recent external deadlines.

National Institutes of Health - Bridges to the Doctorate Program (R25) PAR-11-279

NIH Bridges to the Doctorate Program solicits research education grant applications from institutions that propose to increase the pool of master’s degree students from underrepresented backgrounds who go on to research careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, and who are trained and available to participate in NIH-funded research. This initiative promotes partnerships/consortia between colleges or universities granting a terminal master’s degree with institutions that offer the doctorate degree. Each proposed program must consist of a partnership/consortium composed of at least two institutions, including the lead applicant institution. One must be an institution that offers the master’s degree as the only graduate degree in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. Another institution must be a college or university granting the Ph.D. degree in biomedical and behavioral sciences. The proposed partnership/consortium should be composed of no more than three institutions, including the lead applicant institution.

Applications must provide baseline data on enrollment, transfer and subsequent graduation of its underrepresented students in biomedical and behavioral sciences. Specific aims must be based on this self-assessment and must be consonant with the Bridges to the Doctorate goals and objective. The specific aims may include, but are not limited to the following: improvements in the writing and presentation skills of students; increase in retention and graduation rates (individual and institutional); and increase in the number of students transferring to and successfully completing the Ph.D. degree in biomedical and behavioral sciences. The program outcome measures and impact on the participating institutions should be presented relative to baseline data.

See the complete Program Announcement for details and additional requirements: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-279.html

NIH limits an institution to one Bridges to the Doctorate application.  Individuals interested in submitting to this program should send the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, August 22, 2011:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel at UK
• Names of collaborating institutions and the participating personnel
• A brief description of the proposed program (2-3 pages) including goals and specific aims relative to the institutional baseline and the developmental activities that would move the institution from baseline to the program’s expectations

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission.  The next NIH deadline is October 31, 2011. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (U01)

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to stimulate the conduct of early (Phase I and Phase II) clinical trials in the area of cancer immunotherapy by forming a Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN). The emphasis is on clinical trials of “high priority” agents that were identified at the 2007 NCI immunotherapy agent workshop and on clinical trials using combinations of immunotherapy modalities and other agents. The CITN will support a multi-investigator team assembled to bring new immunotherapy agents to the clinic. This support will be realized through a single award for a Central Operations and Statistical Center (COSC) of the CITN. Whereas this FOA solicits applications specifically for the CITN COSC, the awardee team and their Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) will provide overall leadership and statistical and protocol coordinator support for the CITN program. COSC applicants must plan that the CITN will include the following additional elements : (1) up to 25 institutions that will conduct the clinical trials as CITN “Member Sites” (supported through subcontracts within the COSC award); (2) support for tumor immunology laboratories that are associated with the Member Sites to conduct standardized immunomonitoring assays and biomarker and correlative studies related to the clinical trials; and (3) a data coordinating service that will be provided by a unit operated by the NCI (which remains beyond the scope of solicited applications).

The NCI intends to fund a single U01 and to commit approximately $1.6 million in total costs in 2010 and $14 million total costs over a 5-year period of the award.

More than one PD/PI (i.e., multiple PDs/PIs) may be designated on the application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to designate a lead PD/PI and a second PD/PI, who would share the responsibilities but would also be capable of leading the entire COSC (e.g., in case the lead PD/PI is unable to continue serving in this role).

Responsibility of the Central Operations and Statistical Center (COSC, subject of this FOA): COSC will provide overall leadership and organizational infrastructure for the entire CITN. The COSC is expected to function as a central office, located at the lead Principal Investigator’s institution. It must provide: one or more protocol coordinators, finance and regulatory staff, biostatistical staff, and other administrative staff, as needed. The statistical unit of COSC will be coordinated by a Lead Biostatistician (who may not necessarily reside at the COSC institution).

Detailed guidelines:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-10-007.html

Because NIH limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting a Central Operations and Statistical Center proposal are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, January 14, 2010:

• Names and departments of the lead Project Director and key personnel including their roles on the project
• Narrative (3 pages) – a description of the project team’s qualifications and expertise to address the specific aspects of CITN activities outlined in the announcement

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the February 19, 2010 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (R25)

The National Cancer Institute solicits applications for the development of Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (CNTCs) as a component of the NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer (The Alliance) (http://nano.cancer.gov/). Approximately 3-5 awards are expected; the budget requested may not exceed $400,000 direct costs per year over a 5-year period.

The main goal for CNTCs is to educate and train researchers from diverse fields in the use of nanotechnology-based approaches to advance understanding of cancer biology and/or create new methods/tools for the prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment of cancer. The relevant research education/training program should include a combination of:

• Research education through mentored laboratory experience (participation in cancer nanotechnology research projects in laboratories affiliated with the Centers);
• Short ad hoc courses/workshops ; and
• A complementary outreach component.

To advance the goal of creating a multidisciplinary workforce, the scope of the proposed research education/training program should encompass pertinent aspects of the medical and biological sciences as well as chemistry, physics and engineering. The proposed CNTCs should target graduate student and post-doctoral researchers of broad background, spanning all of the mentioned fields.

Multidisciplinary Scientific Scope of CNTC

The topics of CNTC educational research projects, courses, and other activities should be chosen to construct a research education program that is multidisciplinary and spans multiple facets of the field of cancer nanotechnology. The choice of research projects should also maximize instructive value and foster the development of laboratory training modules for techniques and methodologies important in cancer nanotechnology. The modules developed should be adaptable to other research programs. It is envisioned that each CNTC’s mentored research program will span a range of complementary areas of cancer nanotechnology with individual research projects designed to interact with one another. In general, research education activities of CNTCs (including mentored research projects and smaller laboratory training modules) are expected to be relevant to research priority areas that have emerged from the strategic cancer nanotechnology workshops carried out by NCI in 2008 (http://nano.cancer.gov/meetings_events/Strategic_Workshops_on_Cancer_Nanotechnology_-_CancerRes_final_.pdf). Additional topical areas are also encouraged, providing they fit into the overall goals for the CNTCs and conform to other requirements.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to structure the leadership of the proposed CNTC around two senior researchers of synergistic scientific backgrounds, with one representing the biological sciences and/or clinical oncology and another applied nanotechnology. These senior researchers should work jointly to recruit appropriate faculty, identify laboratories and investigators who could serve as mentors for Center participants, and oversee the development of appropriate courses/workshop curriculum and the nanotechnology educational research program. The breadth of the multidisciplinary expertise of CNTC leaders, faculty members, and potential mentors as well as their experience in training and mentoring successful laboratory researchers and/or clinical investigators will be evaluated by reviewers and will have an important impact on the overall merit of the CNTC applications.

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed research education program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned research education program. The application must have a strong research program in the area(s) cancer-relevant nanotechnology proposed for research education activities. The institutional commitment to the proposed research education program needs to be documented in an appropriate letter of support (to be included in the application). Additional program information is available in the complete announcement: (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-09-014.html).

Because NCI limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications. Researchers wanting to submit a Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, November 5, 2009:

• Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
• Overview of the program – 4 pages maximum – a) Outline the types and scope of the mentored research education/training laboratory projects, including the number of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; describe the relevance of the proposed laboratory based training to the overall goals of the Alliance; b) outline the proposed short courses, workshops, and outreach activities.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant.  The individual will be notified in time for the November 17, 2009 letter of intent and December 17, 2009 complete application deadlines.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NCI - Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTDD) Network (U01) – RFA-CA-12-006

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and the Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTDD) initiative is to promote innovative research on high throughput approaches to the discovery and characterization of new cancer targets and their modulators. Projects resulting from this FOA are expected to bridge the gap between the enormous volumes of data generated by the comprehensive molecular characterizations of many cancer subtypes and the ability to use these data for the development of human cancer therapeutics and associated response markers. Applicants must propose research projects focused on high-throughput identification and/or characterization of potential targets for cancer therapy, and/or the identification of small molecules that modulate validated cancer targets. Proposed projects are expected to combine in-depth mining of large-scale genomic data, systems biology analyses and/or experimental approaches to provide initial characterization of functional significance. This characterization may involve the studies of modulation/perturbation of the potential targets (or target combinations) using, e.g., small molecules and/or oligonucleotides. Development and/or improvement of technologies serving the main goals of the project may also be proposed. In addition to conducting individual research projects, the CTDD awardees will also be expected to contribute to trans-Network activities, including participation in joint pilot research projects. Successful applicants will join the existing Network.

Pre-Application Meeting: The NCI will hold a public pre-application teleconference for investigators planning to submit applications in response to this FOA on April 24, 2012 from 2:30 p.m. EST. Additional details on this teleconference are found on ocg.cancer.gov web site. Participation in the meeting, although encouraged, is optional and not required for application submission.

Each application must constitute a self-standing, independent research project(s). However, each team will also have to offer some special capabilities and resources suitable for joint, trans-Network endeavors (see details in FOA under subheading “CTDD as a Network”). In addition, the NCI recognizes that some institutions may have strong groups of investigators with broader and more comprehensive bioinformatics and/or experimental capabilities. Therefore, each institution is allowed to develop and submit up to two applications for two different projects. If desired and appropriate, these two projects may be designed as a broadly-based interactive effort.

See the complete RFA for specific research objectives and requirements, priorities, and a list of non-responsive approaches/directions: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-12-006.html

Internal Competition: Because the NIH limits the number of proposals to two applications per organization, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program should send a pre-proposal with the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, April 30, 2012:

• Names and departments of the Program Director/Principal Investigator and key personnel
• Descriptive title of the proposed research and a 1-2 page overview including scientific aims, significance, and description of the concept and/or of the approach

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)The NIH deadlines are May 21, 2012 for optional letters of intent and June 21, 2012 for complete applications.

National Institutes of Health - NIDDK - Career Development Programs in Diabetes Research for Behavioral Scientists (K12) – RFA-DK-11-028

To foster the development of a diverse and highly trained workforce of behavioral scientists to assume leadership roles related to the Nation’s research efforts in the area of type 1 diabetes, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) invites applications for the establishment of institutional career development programs in diabetes research for behavioral scientists. The NIDDK will award K12 grants to eligible institutions to provide a program to prepare postdoctoral behavioral scientists (referred in this FOA as “Scholars”), selected by the institution, for behavioral research careers in type 1 diabetes. At each stage of the training award, supervision and mentorship will include both a diabetologist and a behavioral scientist as a way to maximize the relevance of the training to type 1 diabetes and encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to research. NIH intends to fund an estimate of 4-5 awards with 2-3 slots per award, corresponding to a total of $2.5 million, for fiscal year 2012.

Guidelines and additional details:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-11-028.html

Because only one application per institution is allowed, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, January 4, 2012:

• Names and departments of Program Director and other key personnel
• Program overview (1-2 pages) – provide a description of the proposed program including the long-term goals and objectives and key elements of the career development plan

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. Deadlines are February 2, 2012 (optional letter of intent) and March 2, 2012 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NIDDK - Career Development Programs in Diabetes Research for Pediatric Endocrinologists (K12) – RFA-DK-11-006

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) invites applications for the establishment of institutional career development programs in diabetes research for pediatric endocrinologists. The NIDDK will award physician scientist career development program (K12) grants to eligible institutions to provide a program to prepare pediatricians, selected by the institution, for careers in pediatric endocrinology research related to diabetes. Physician scientist career development programs (K12) assist in the transition of clinical investigators to an independent research career. These institutional mentored research career development awards will allow participants up to three years of supervised research experience that may combine didactic studies with laboratory or patient-oriented research. The K12 programs will provide an opportunity for research career development after the clinical fellowship years to facilitate the transition to a fully-trained independent investigator. Moreover, the institutions receiving these awards will be encouraged to interact with one another and to provide opportunities for career development pathways involving more than one institution.

Guidelines and additional information are available at the following site:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-11-006.html

Because the NIH will accept only one application per institution for this program, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, March 23, 2011:

• Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel
• Project narrative (1-2 pages) – provide an overview of the proposed training including the long-term goals and objectives of the program, key elements of the career development plan, and brief descriptions of planned research projects.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. Deadlines are March 28, 2011 (optional letter of intent) and April 28, 2011 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Career Development Program in Omics of Lung Diseases (K12) – RFA-HL-13-023

The long-term objectives of this program are to develop multidisciplinary career development programs that will equip new MD and PhD (or equivalent) investigators with the knowledge and skills to apply pan-omics and integrated approaches to elucidating genomic and molecular bases of lung disease, including heterogeneity, key regulatory networks, and relevant disease biomarkers, with the goal of advancing understanding of lung disease pathobiology and lung disease personalized medicine applications.

The required expertise should include bioinformatics, experience in utilizing data from large cohorts and electronic medical records, techniques of integrative genomics and systems analysis, along with expertise, or at least familiarity, with clinical research and pulmonary medicine. The proposed K12 program may complement other, ongoing research training and career development programs at the applicant institution, but the proposed career development experiences must be distinct from those career development programs currently receiving Federal support. Applications focusing on lung cancer will not be considered responsive to this FOA.

Guidelines and additional information are available at the following site:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-13-023.html

Because the NIH will accept only one application per institution for this program, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, September 6, 2012:

• Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel
• Project narrative (1-2 pages) – provide an overview of the proposed training including the long-term goals and objectives of the program, and key elements of the career development plan

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. Deadlines are September 26, 2012 (optional letter of intent) and October 26, 2012 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Centers for AIDS Research – UK IS NOT ELIGIBLE

The NIH has issued Program Announcement PAR-09-103 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-103.html) for standard Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) and developmental CFARs (D-CFARs). An institution may submit only one application and eligibility is limited to institutions with an NIH AIDS-funded research basis of $6 M.

According to a report provided by the NIH, UK’s NIH AIDS-funded research basis is $5,144,487; UK is therefore ineligible to apply to this program in 2009. The program has deadlines in June 2010 and June 2011. If there is interest in this program, please contact mmcculle@email.uky.edu and UK will request a report next year to determine eligibility.

National Institutes of Health - Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)

Executive Summary

• The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the NIH invites applications for Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) from investigators at biomedical research institutions that award doctoral degrees in the health sciences or sciences related to health or at independent biomedical research institutes within Institutional Development Award (IDeA) eligible states. The objective of COBRE initiative is to strengthen an institution's biomedical research infrastructure through the establishment of a thematic multi-disciplinary center and to enhance the ability of investigators to compete independently for complementary National Institutes of Health (NIH) individual research grant or other external peer-reviewed support. COBRE awards are supported through the IDeA Program, which aims to foster health-related research by increasing the competitiveness of investigators at institutions located in states with historically low aggregate success rates for grant awards from the NIH.
• This Program Announcement (PA) will use the NIH exploratory grant mechanism (P20).
• In making its assessment for eligibility, NCRR includes all states/commonwealths with success rates for obtaining NIH grant awards (number of applications awarded vs. number of applications approved) of less than 20 percent over the period of 2001-2005. Also included are those states that had higher success rates, but received less than $120 million average NIH funding over that five-year period. Under these criteria, the following states/commonwealth are eligible IDeA states: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
• An eligible institution must be within an IDeA state. An eligible institution must either be (1) a domestic, public or private, or non-profit research institution that awards doctoral degrees in health sciences or sciences related to health, or (2) an independent biomedical research institute.
• Applications will be accepted from eligible institutions that hold two or less active COBRE awards. Applications will NOT be accepted from institutions that hold three or more active COBRE awards; these institutions cannot submit applications.
• No eligible institution can submit more than one application per fiscal year in response to this PA. Multiple applications received from these institutions or applications received from ineligible institutions (those that hold three or more active COBRE awards) will not be reviewed. If an institution is planning more than one application, it is the responsibility of that institution to appoint a steering or selection committee to decide which single application to submit in response to this PA.
• Applications are encouraged from veterinary and dental schools in IDeA states. For purposes of this PA, veterinary and dental school components of institutions will be treated as separate eligible entities and will be allowed to submit applications in addition to the parent institution.
• The Principal Investigator (PI) of the COBRE application must be an established biomedical or behavioral research scientist, who has an active research laboratory, relevant peer-reviewed funding (either NIH, NSF or other Federal or non-Federal investigator-initiated support), and administrative leadership and mentoring experience to effectively carry out the objectives of the COBRE program and to meet its goals.

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-229.html

An Internal Competition will be announced closer to the due date.

National Institutes of Health - Centers on the Demography and Economics of Aging (P30)

The National Institute on Aging solicits Research and Development Center (P30) grant applications in the areas of demography and economics of aging, including relevant interdisciplinary areas rooted in population-based social science research.  A Center on Demography (P30) grant requires substantial pre-existing research activity on population aging at the institution.  A minimum of at least two peer-reviewed and externally funded, currently active research projects that are rooted in population-based social science research in demography or economics that are directly relevant to aging is required.  Ideally, applicant institutions will have a substantial base.  Sub-projects on NIA P01 grants may be counted as individual projects. Although two peer-reviewed and externally funded, currently active grants is the minimum requirement, considerable weight will be given to significant research activity in demography and economics of health and aging.

The application must name a Center Director who will provide the overall scientific management and coordination of the Center. The Center Director must be an experienced researcher with appropriate experience in research on population aging.  The Center must include two required cores: (A) an administrative and research support core, which will provide coordination, research planning, logistical, and centralized data and technical support, and (B) a program development core providing for small scale pilot studies related to program development or methodological innovation that is consistent with the theme of the Center grant and that will lead to new program development.  Population-based social science research (primarily demographic and economic) must be the foundation of pilot projects proposed, but may be informed by psychological, biological and other interdisciplinary fields as appropriate. In addition to the required cores, an application may request funding for (C) an external innovative national or international network core, (D) an external research support and dissemination core, (E) a statistical data enclave core, and (F) a coordinating center function. Each proposed Center should focus on one or more scientific themes or areas of interest directly relevant to population aging.

NIA has funding to support 8-13 projects; an application may request a maximum of $525,000 direct costs in year 1 for Cores A, B, C, E, and E in year 1, and a project period of up to 5 years.  Additional information and application guidelines are available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-09-005.html

Most recent internal deadline: September 10, 2008.

Most recent external deadline: October 30, 2008.

National Insititutes of Health - NCCAM - Centers of Excellence for Research on CAM (CERC; P01) – PAR-12-151

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement to encourage applications proposing research of high-priority to NCCAM that require synergistic collaboration between outstanding scientists and the synthesis of multiple research approaches by multi-disciplinary research teams. The CERC mechanism is designed to support research in which the funding of three or four synergistic, highly meritorious projects as a group offers significant scientific advantages over support of the same projects as individual research grants. Each CERC must consist, throughout the duration of the award, of three or four research projects, focused on basic, mechanistic, and/or translational research questions relevant to the research priorities described in the current NCCAM Strategic Plan.

See the complete PAR for guidelines and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-12-151.html

Internal Competition: Because the NIH limits an institution to one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program should send a pre-proposal with the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, May 15, 2012:

• Names and departments of the Program Director/Principal Investigator and key personnel including the PIs of the proposed CERC’s research projects
• Identify the central research focus of the CERC and list the titles and PIs of three interrelated research projects that will comprise the CERC

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)The next NIH deadline is September 25, 2012

National Insititutes of Health - NINR - Centers of Excellence in Symptom Science:  Building Research Teams for the Future (P20) – RFA-NR-12-009

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) invites applications to establish Centers of Excellence for Symptom Science: Building Research Teams for the Future (P20).  This FOA supports applications to develop interdisciplinary biobehavioral nursing research capacity in Symptom Science Research.  Begun in 2004 as part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, the PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) initiative is developing new ways to measure symptoms or patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that have a major impact on quality of life across a variety of chronic diseases.  This call for Center applications focuses on the most frequently reported symptoms already being studied by PROMIS:

1. 1. pain,
2. 2. sleep disturbances,
3. 3. fatigue, and
4. 4. cognitive/affect changes, as well as their interactions.

Applicants must select one of these symptoms and build their Center application around this symptom so as to develop strong expertise in this research domain and move the field of science forward significantly.  The purpose of an NINR P20 Center is to: (1) develop sustainable interdisciplinary, biobehavioral research capacity for scientists conducting nursing research by establishing centralized research resources and a research infrastructure; (2) advance the Center’s thematic science area through complementary, synergistic research activities; and (3) enable feasibility research that will develop into new programs of research and independent investigator research applications. See the complete RFA for details and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-12-009.html

Because the NINR limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, April 10, 2012:

• Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel
• Project overview (2 pages) – Identify the specific symptom/central theme around which the proposed Center will be designed; list three research projects related to the Center’s focus area that will be conducted for 2-3 years, the researchers conducting each project, and the specific aims of each.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make a recommendation as to the University’s submission.  The NIH deadlines are optional letter of intent April 16, 2012 and complete application May 16, 2012.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

National Insititutes of Health - NINR - Center of Excellence: Symptom Management Research OR Health Promotion/Disease Prevention (P30)

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) invites applications to establish (P30) Centers of Excellence for Symptom Management Research OR (P30) Centers of Excellence for Health Promotion/Disease Prevention.  The purpose of an NINR P30 Center is to: (1) develop sustainable interdisciplinary, biobehavioral research capacity for scientists conducting nursing research by establishing centralized research resources and a research infrastructure; (2) advance the Center’s thematic science area through complementary, synergistic research activities; and (3) enable feasibility research that will develop into new programs of research and independent investigator research applications.

Applicant organizations should submit nursing research proposals in areas specific to the Symptom Management OR Health Promotion/Disease Prevention research areas in the NINR strategic plan priority areas. Applicants are to select one (not both) topical area for their application (i.e., Symptom Management OR Health Promotion/Disease Prevention) based on a conceptually sound integration of the currently funded projects that comprise the research base of the Center. Applications should propose innovative ideas consistent with NINR's mission.

• Center of Excellence for Symptom Management Research.  This call for Center applications focuses on the most frequently reported symptoms already being studied by the PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) initiative: pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive/affect changes, as well as their interactions. Applicants must select one of these symptoms and build their Center application around this symptom as the organizing central theme of the application, so as to develop strong expertise in this research domain and move the field of science forward significantly.

• Center of Excellence for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.  This call for Center applications focuses on the four high priority areas for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention research in both healthy and chronically ill persons across the life span:  obesity, premature birth/low birth weight infants, HIV/AIDS, and cardiopulmonary disease.  Applicants must select one of these conditions and build their Center application around the prevention of this condition as the organizing central theme of the application, so as to develop strong expertise in this research domain and move the field of science forward significantly

Eligible organizations must document at least two (2) peer reviewed research projects in the scientific topical area selected (i.e., Symptom Management OR Health Promotion/Disease Prevention) supported by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at the R01, R15, R21, or P20 mechanism level that were active within five (5) years of the P30 application submission.  Organizations with current P20 Centers awarded from NINR are eligible to apply under this FOA if their application is otherwise responsive to this FOA, i.e., they have a research focus on Symptom Management OR Health Promotion/Disease Prevention.  Detailed guidelines and additional information are available in the complete announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-09-002.html.

Most recent internal deadline: October 17, 2008.

Most recent external deadline: December 15, 2008.

National Institutes of Health - NIMH Center for Genomic Studies on Mental Disorders (U24) – RFA-MH-13-050

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) seeks Resource-Related Cooperative Agreement (U24) applications to continue, enhance, and enrich research resources in the NIMH Human Genetics Initiative for free and open sharing with the scientific community. The long-term objective of data sharing and research resource enrichment under this FOA is to accelerate gene discovery in mental disorders. It is expected that the Center will be comprised of a team of investigators with expertise in molecular biology, cell culture, computer and information sciences, statistical genetics and psychiatric genetics. It is also expected that this effort will involve activities at multiple institutions that are strategically and functionally coordinated such that the Center will function as a single, national resource. A critical feature of the Center will be the banking of primary cultures of source cells for the derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the banking of established iPSCs by investigators. Furthermore, the development and maintenance of a genomic cyberinfrastructure is required. Such an infrastructure will represent the coordinated aggregate of software, hardware and other technologies, as well as the necessary staff expertise required to support current and future discoveries in the genetics of mental disorders. This cyberinfrastructure will integrate relevant and often disparate genetic and genomic resources to provide a useful, usable, and enabling framework for human genetic research and gene discovery in mental disorders that will be characterized by broad access.

NIMH intends to commit approximately $9,000,000 in FY 2013 to fund one new cooperative agreement in response to this FOA.  See the complete RFA for additional details and guidelines:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-13-050.html

Because NIMH limits an institution to one proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, June 26, 2012:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel
• Names of participating institutions
• Project overview (2 pages) that includes a description of the project team’s prior experience and qualifications in addressing the specific RFA requirements and justification/rationale for why the proposed project should be selected as UK's applicant -

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The optional letter of intent is due July 1, 2012; the complete application is due August 1, 2012.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NINR - Centers in Symptom Management Research OR Centers in Health Promotion/Disease Prevention (20)

The internal competition for proposals to NIH to establish a Center in Symptom Management Research or Center in Health Promotion/Disease Prevention is cancelled.  The guidelines state that applicant organizations that have previously been or are currently the recipient of a P20 or P30 Center award funded by NINR are not eligible to apply to this funding opportunity (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-09-001.html).  UK currently has a P20 grant funded by the National Institute of Nursing (NINR). 

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) invites applications to establish Centers in Symptom Management Research OR Centers in Health Promotion/Disease Prevention: Building Research Teams for the Future (P20). The purpose of the proposed grant program is to plan and develop sustainable interdisciplinary, biobehavioral research capacity for scientists conducting Symptom Management Research OR Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Research by enabling development of research infrastructure and centralized resources in support of these research programs.

An institution may submit only one application for one of the following:

• Center in Symptom Management Research.  This call for Center applications focuses on the most frequently reported symptoms already being studied by the PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) initiative: pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive/affect changes, as well as their interactions. Applicants must select one of these symptoms and build their Center application around this symptom as the organizing central theme of the application, so as to develop strong expertise in this research domain and move the field of science forward significantly.

• Center in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.  This call for Center applications focuses on the four high priority areas for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention research in both healthy and chronically ill persons across the life span:  obesity, premature birth/low birth weight infants, HIV/AIDS, and cardiopulmonary disease.  Applicants must select one of these conditions and build their Center application around the prevention of this condition as the organizing central theme of the application, so as to develop strong expertise in this research domain and move the field of science forward significantly

Detailed guidelines and information on NINR’s Strategic Plan and areas of interest are available in the complete announcement:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-09-001.html.

National Institutes of Health - NIA - Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAICs) and Coordinating Center (P30) – RFA-AG-13-002

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) supports new and renewal applications for Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAICs), centers of excellence in geriatrics research and training. The FOA solicits applications for OAIC sites and/or an OAIC Coordinating Center (CC).

NIA's expectation is that an OAIC, in a given area of focus, will:

• Provide intellectual leadership and innovation;
• Stimulate translation between basic and clinical research;
• Facilitate and develop novel multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research strategies;
• Stimulate incorporation of emerging technologies, methods and scientific advances into research designs as appropriate;
• Serve as a source of advice and collaboration to other institutions regarding technology, methodology, analysis, or other expertise; and
• Provide career development for future research leaders.

The OAIC Coordinating Center (CC) serves a facilitating role for OAIC site interactions as well as a conduit for translating OAIC objectives and findings to both general and scientific audiences. The CC can be a part (Core) of an OAIC or an independent program unaffiliated with an OAIC site (free-standing CC). Each OAIC will support the following components and activities:

1. Leadership/Administrative Core (required)
2. A Research Career Development Core (required)
3. A minimum of one Resource Core (required)
4. A Pilot/Exploratory Studies Cores (optional)
5. An Information Dissemination Core (optional)

The Coordinating Center facilitates and coordinates OAIC activities. Each applicant OAIC is invited to submit a section proposing a Coordinating Center Core as part of its response to the OAIC FOA. Institutions not submitting an OAIC application may apply for a free-standing CC. In either case, the CC should be proposed only by institutions with (1) the ability to coordinate multi-site projects as demonstrated by previous HHS funding for a coordinating center of a multi-site research grant, and (2) demonstrated scientific expertise in clinical aging research. A CC proposed as a free-standing Center will receive equal consideration as one proposed as a Core of an OAIC site.

Guidelines and additional information are available at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-13-002.html.

The NIH issued NOT-AG-12-006 which states that an institution may submit only one application in response to RFA-AG-13-002. For this reason, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, April 11, 2012:

1. Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel
2. Specify if the application is for an OAIC with a CC or only a free-standing CC
3. Project overview (1-2 pages) –
   • For an OAIC with a CC - identify the central theme or focus of the center and the proposed aims; the Research Career Development Core area(s) of focus and brief description of proposed activities; and a Resource Core and projects supported OR
   • For free-standing CC – Briefly describe the purpose and functions of the CC, applicant’s previous HHS funding as a coordinating center for a multi-site research grants, and expertise in clinical aging research

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NIH deadlines are April 17, 2012 (optional letter of intent) and May 17, 2012 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Clinical Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Research Career Development Program (K12) - RFA-HL-12-005

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute invites institutions with established clinical research infrastructures and expertise in non-malignant clinical hematology and transfusion medicine to submit applications to establish Clinical Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Research Career Development Programs. Programs should include a core curriculum, didactics, and a short-term research project for each Scholar.

The focus of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is two-pronged. One focus is on rare, non-malignant blood diseases for which there is a shortage of new research investigators. For the purposes of this initiative, non-malignant clinical hematology is defined as a discipline devoted to the clinical evaluation and management of individuals with: aplastic and hemolytic anemias, hemoglobinopathies, disorders of hemostasis and thrombophilia, hemorrhagic disorders, myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Although myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are pre-malignant, and could be considered “malignant,” they are disorders for which a hematologist would be consulted. Leukemias are excluded from this program.

The other focus of this FOA is research in adult and pediatric transfusion medicine. This is a field that is currently experiencing a critical shortage of new research investigators. A major clinical research need in this field is the optimization of transfusion strategies for blood product recipients, especially in vulnerable populations such as neonates, pediatric and adult critical care patients, and geriatric patients.

Guidelines and additional details:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-12-005.html

Because only one application per institution is allowed, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, May 9, 2011:

• Names and departments of Program Director and other key personnel
• Program overview (1-2 pages) – provide a description of the proposed program including the long-term goals and objectives and key elements of the career development plan

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. Deadlines are May 20, 2011 (optional letter of intent) and June 20, 2011 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation (CTOT) Consortium

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) invites new or renewal applications from groups of two or more institutions to participate in the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation (CTOT) consortium, a cooperative investigative group that will conduct multi-site clinical trials (Phase 1, 2, or 3) or observational clinical studies with associated studies of immunologic mechanisms, in recipients of thoracic and abdominal organ transplants. Research supported under this announcement will focus on studying the immune-mediated pathologic processes associated with organ transplantation, with the goal of improving the long-term outcome of recipients of thoracic and abdominal organ transplants.

NIAID anticipates making 3 to 4 awards; direct costs are limited to $1.5 million per year for a five-year period.  An institution may submit only one application as the applicant institution but may participate on multiple applications.

The application guidelines and specific requirements for the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation (CTOT) (U01) are available at:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-08-015.html.

Most recent internal competition: August 25, 2008.

Most recent external competition: October 21, 2008.

National Institutes of Health - NIMHD - Community-Based Participatory Research Initiative in Reducing and Eliminating Health Disparities:  Dissemination Phase (R24) - RFA-MD-13-001

NIMHD has issued a limited competition to support the dissemination of interventions developed with funding from an earlier solicitation (RFA-MD-07-003).

Dr. Nancy Schoenberg, Professor of Behavioral Science, is PI of UK’s only eligible project:  Faith Moves Mountains:  A CBPR Appalachian Wellness & Cancer Prevention Program. Dr. Schoenberg plans to respond to this solicitation (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MD-13-001.html) and submit an application for the October 20, 2012 deadline. UK will, therefore, not hold an internal competition. Researchers interested in Dr. Schoenberg’s program should contact her directly.

National Institutes of Health - NIMHD - Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Initiative in Reducing and Eliminating Health Disparities: Planning Phase (R24)

The NIMHD Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Initiative was designed to support community-based participatory research in planning, implementing, evaluating and disseminating effective interventions for diseases disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority populations, populations with low socioeconomic status, and medically underserved populations living in rural areas in the U.S. The three-year CBPR plan should include: community needs assessment, plans to identify the disease/condition for intervention research, and plans to develop the intervention methodology during the first year of the grant. During the second and third year, a pilot intervention research study must be conducted. The pilot should assess the feasibility/acceptability of the developed intervention as well of the process of conducting a CBPR intervention study, including collaborative oversight of data collection, sharing of interim data, and disseminating results to community stakeholders and scientific audiences. The project must include co-leadership by research and community partners, and all activities proposed in the application must include substantial input from the targeted community using CBPR principles.

Specific Areas of Research Interest - Appropriate topics include, but are not limited to:

• Interventions to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors (e.g., physical activity, healthy diets) to prevent or reduce overweight/obesity and obesity-related complications (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, diabetes)
• Interventions to promote the management of diseases and conditions, such as asthma, hypertension, and diabetes
• Interventions focusing on the prevention or cessation of tobacco use and substance abuse
• Interventions that promote healthy sexual behaviors that prevent or reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted infections
• Interventions preventing or reducing intentional (e.g., suicide) or unintentional accidents
• Interventions to promote preventive behaviors (e.g., vaccinations, health screenings) that lead to the early detection or prevention of diseases/conditions such as colon cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases

Funding:  NIMHD intends to commit $10,000,000 in FY 2013. Budgets are limited to $250,000 direct costs per year.
Guidelines and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MD-12-006.html

Because NIMHD limits an institution to one proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, May 21, 2012:

• The names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel
• Names and locations of the community partner(s)
• A brief description of the proposed project (1-2 pages) including the specific area of research interest and roles of participating partners

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadline is June 27, 2012. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NCMHD - Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Initiative in Reducing and Eliminating Health Disparities: Intervention Research Phase

The National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) has announced a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Initiative in Reducing and Eliminating Health Disparities: Intervention Research Phase. The overall goal of this initiative is to support community-based participatory research in planning, implementing, evaluating and disseminating effective interventions for diseases disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority and health disparity populations with low socioeconomic status, the medically underserved populations, and those living in rural areas in the U.S. The complete announcement is available at: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MD-07-003.html.

NIH invites applications for a five-year intervention research grant proposal (second phase) using CBPR principles and methods. Applicants may request a project period up to 5 years and a budget for direct costs of up to $400,000 per year. The anticipated start date is July, 2008. This opportunity is open to current NCMHD CBPR planning grantees and other interested applicants. In order to be considered to be responsive to this opportunity, applicants who are not current NCMHD CBPR planning grantees must demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the required activities outlined in the planning grant phase of this initiative. (See RFA-MD-05-002 at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MD-05-002.html.) This includes partnership development with the community, undertaking a community needs assessment, identifying the disease/condition for intervention research in collaboration with the community, and planning the intervention methodology with substantial input from the community. Subsequently, a pilot disease intervention research study should be developed with community partnership. Preliminary findings from the pilot intervention study must be submitted in this grant application. The responsiveness criteria are listed under Other Special Eligibility Criteria in Section III.3 of this Funding Opportunity Announcement. The NCMHD program officials will use these responsiveness criteria in deciding if an application will be sent for further review by the Special Emphasis Review Panel.

The main focus of this funding opportunity is the development, implementation and evaluation of an effective disease intervention(s) targeting one or more diseases of major public health importance; for example, cancer, cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, Hepatitis B, etc. affecting racial/ethnic minorities, populations with low socioeconomic status, the medically underserved populations, and those living in rural areas. The decision as to disease or condition of focus will have been made in partnership with the community. The development, implementation and evaluation of the disease intervention(s) should use CBPR principles and methods.

On Friday, June 15th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. (EST) NCMHD staff will conduct a technical assistance and information-sharing telephone conference call. This conference call will allow potential applicants to discuss and clarify any issues or questions related to RFA MD-07-003. Potential applicants interested in participating in the telephone conference call are required to complete a registration form and to submit their questions in writing to the e-mail address listed below in advance of the meeting. The phone lines will remain open until either all questions have been answered or until the end of the scheduled 2.5 hour period. NCMHD program and review staff will participate in providing responses to the written questions and those questions expected to arise during the discussion. NCMHD program staff will continue to provide technical assistance on an as needed basis after the conference call. Applicants needing additional technical assistance should contact Dr. Francisco S. Sy.

Registration is required and participants must register prior to COB on June 11, 2007. If you plan to participate in the telephone conference call, please register and send questions by email to Ms. Joanne M. Lipkind,  and reference NCMHD CBPR/TA Conference Call 2007, National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH,  6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 800, Bethesda, MD 20910; Telephone: 301-594-8427; FAX: 301-480-4049; E-mail: lipkindj@mail.nih.gov

Most recent internal deadlines: July 10, 2007.

Most recent external deadline: August 31, 2007.

National Institutes of Health - NCI - Community Clinical Oncology Program Groups (U10) – RFA-CA-10-010

NCI solicits applications from institutions/organizations that propose to serve as Research Groups for the NCI-supported Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) Network. CCOP was established in 1983 to develop and conduct state-of-the-art cancer prevention, control and treatment clinical trials with significant involvement of community oncologists and populations they serve. The CCOP Network mission includes: (1) accelerating development of interventions to prevent and treat cancer and its symptoms by increasing accrual to trials; (2) fostering quality care in the community through adoption of results from clinical trials; and (3) increasing the involvement of minority and underserved patient/participant populations in cancer clinical trials and associated research.

A CCOP Group is a consortium of community oncologists from one or more interacting community institutions that accrue patient/participants to clinical trials designed and conducted by the CCOP Research Bases. Each CCOP Group must accrue annually at least 50 patients to treatment clinical trials and at least 50 participants to prevention and control clinical trials. Equally important to accrual, CCOPs also assure the quality of the data collected and the safety of the participants/patients entered on trials For additional details on the Community Clinical Oncology Program Groups solicitation, see the complete RFA:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-10-010.html

Because NCI limits an institution to one application in response to this solicitation, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline. Researchers wanting to submit an application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, August 11, 2010:

1. Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
2. Program Overview – Identify the catchment area and provide a 1-2 page description of the proposed research plan

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadline is September 16, 2010.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Community Networks Program - Centers for Reducing Cancer Disparities through Outreach, Research and Training

The Community Networks Program (CNP) is designed to address the cancer burden in racial/ethnic minorities and other underserved populations by using Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits applications for CNP Centers that will utilize the CBPR approach to reduce specific cancer disparities through a combination of outreach, research and training. The goal of the CNP Centers is to increase knowledge of, access to, and utilization of beneficial biomedical and behavioral procedures related to cancer in areas ranging from prevention to early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. In this CNP issuance, a particular emphasis is on high quality intervention research involving controlled and rigorous studies. Applicant teams must be based on established partnerships between academic institution(s) and targeted community entities/community-serving healthcare organizations. The partnering community components are expected to contribute substantially to the design of the Center programs proposed in the applications. The proposed Centers may involve a “Headquarters” site and additional locations in different geographic areas. A Center with Headquarters and at least 4 additional sites in defined geographic areas is referred to as a “National Center”. Other centers, referred to as “Regional Centers”, must be composed of a Headquarters and 2-3 additional sites in defined geographical areas. This FOA is open to all qualified applicants regardless of whether or not they participated in the previous CNP issuance.

The NCI intends to commit up to $23.57 million in total costs in FY 2010 and up to $117.85 million in total costs over a 5-year period to support up to 23 awards (of which up to five awards may be for National Centers). Because the nature and scope of the proposed work will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size of each award will vary. Total costs requested for a Regional Center may not exceed $900,000 in the first year. Total costs requested or awarded for a National Center may not exceed $1.5 million in the first year. For both types of Centers, funding may be requested for 5-year periods with standard 3% cost of living increases allowed for years 2-5.

PRE-APPLICATION MEETING

The NCI anticipates holding a pre-application meeting to which all interested prospective applicants are invited. The meeting will include: (1) a presentation by the NCI program staff members to explain the objectives of the Community Networks Program and goals and requirements for Centers for Reducing Disparities through Outreach, Research and Training; (2) discussion (by the NCI review staff members) of the application peer review process; and (3) questions and answers session. An NCI Grants Management Specialist will be available to answer financial questions. The meeting will take place on October 22, 2009 at the NIH Main campus in the Natcher Building (Bldg. 45), Room E1/E2 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm (EST). The meeting also will be videocast (http://videocast.nih.gov/) with an opportunity for internet viewers to submit questions by e-mail (cantom@mail.nih.gov) before and during the pre-application meeting. Updates and further details about the meeting will be available at http://crchd.cancer.gov/.

Detailed guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-09-032.html

Because NIH limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, November 3, 2009:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel
• Specify the type of CNP Center and sites being proposed:
• If a National CNP Center – identify the “headquarters” and the 4 additional sites in defined geographical areas in which the partnering community institutions/organization and/or targeted populations are situated
• If a Regional CNP Center – identify the “headquarters” and the 2-3 additional sites in defined geographical areas in which the partnering community institutions/organization and/or targeted populations are situated
• Narrative (4-5 pages) briefly describe:  a) the proposed research project for a controlled intervention, b) an existing research activity with one or more community-based organizations addressing a reduction in health disparities, c) the proposed pilot education research project, and d) the proposed training infrastructure program.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the November 15, 2009 letter of intent and the December 15, 2009 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NIMHD Comprehensive Centers of Excellence (P60) – RFA-MD-11-003

The NIH National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) plans to fund 16-18 Comprehensive NCMHD Centers of Excellence to support infrastructure and capacity building, building and sustaining novel partnerships, research training, innovative basic biomedical and behavioral clinical, or population-based research and intervention and prevention studies contributing to either the improvement of minority health, the elimination of health disparities, or both. that contribute to either the improvement of minority health, the elimination of health disparities, or both.  Direct costs may not exceed $950,000 per year for a period of up to five years.  

Criteria for Award Eligibility - awards under this program may only be made to institutions of higher education that meet the following criteria:

• Had a significant number of members of health disparity populations enrolled as students in the institution, including individuals accepted for enrollment in the institution. Health disparity populations are defined as African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian, Hispanic, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, low socioeconomic status, and rural populations,
• Been effective in assisting students from health disparity populations to complete a program of study or training and receive the advanced degree(s) offered.
• Made significant efforts to recruit and enroll health disparity population students into and graduate from the institution, which may include providing means-tested scholarships and other financial assistance as appropriate.
• Made significant recruitment efforts to increase the number of members of health disparity populations serving in full-time faculty or administrative positions at the institutions

Each Center must include an administrative core and cores for research, research training/education, and community engagement/outreach.  The research core includes a maximum of three research subject projects, each of which must address a significant issue in minority health or health disparities.  Details and application guidelines are available in the complete announcement:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MD-11-003.html

Because NIH limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process.  Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, February 24, 2011:

• Names and departments of Project Director, key personnel, and any collaborating institutions
• Overview of the proposed Center and cores for research, research training, and community engagement/outreach (2 pages)

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission.  NIH requests letters of intent March 14, 2011 and a full application April 14, 2011.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan2@email.uky.edu  or 257-1663).

National Institutes of Health - NIA Consortium for Clinical Trials on Anemia in Older Persons

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites applications for a clinical trials consortium to facilitate clinical trials on anemia in older persons consistent with the recommendations of the NIA Advisory Panel.  NIA expects that several clinical trials will be conducted over the six-year project period and that studies with different protocols will run concurrently at a given clinical site. The topics of these protocols will be decided and prioritized cooperatively by the Consortium Steering Committee (SC) and implemented after review and approval by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board and NIA.

NIA will support only one consortium, which will be funded as a cooperative agreement of up to $800,000 in total costs for year one and approximately $3 million per year in total costs in fiscal years 2010 through 2014, and will consist of a coordinating center, at least 3 clinical sites, and the NIA. Applicants should propose other structural components (e.g., central laboratory) for the consortium. Applicants are encouraged to include personnel with expertise in the wide range of scientific areas pertinent to this research including hematology, geriatrics, biostatistics, clinical trials design and implementation, data management, central laboratory procedures, psychology, functional assessment methodology, and others.

The complete funding announcement (RFA-AG0-09-003) is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-09-003.html.

Most recent internal deadline: September 9, 2008.

Most recent external deadline: November 7, 2008.

National Institutes of Health - Cooperative Multicenter Neonatal Research Network

The Funding Opportunity Announcement issued by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invites applications from investigators willing to participate with the NICHD under a cooperative agreement in an ongoing multi-center clinical program designed to investigate problems in neonatal medicine, particularly those related to low birth weight, prematurity, and common neonatal medical problems.

Organizations should have academically-oriented divisions of neonatology and a minimum of 500 admissions per year in the neonatal intensive care unit. No more than 30 percent of infants should be outborn. Large perinatal services will be given preference over combined services composed of small inborn unit(s) with a large transfer population. Participants must be based at a level III/IV neonatal intensive care units that admits inborn and outborn infants. There must be at least four full time, board certified in neonatal perinatal medicine, academically oriented neonatologists. The clinical center should be located in an institution with a maternal fetal medicine service for delivery of high-risk pregnancies. Perinatologists should be active in clinical research and a history of collaboration between Neonatology and Perinatology towards excellent clinical care, database accessibility, and research productivity.

Additional information and guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-10-003.html

Because NICHD limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline. Researchers wanting to submit an application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, March 8, 2010:

1. Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
2. Provide a 1-2 page overview of a concept proposal for a project for the Neonatal Research Network (NRN) submission. Include hypothesis, specific aim(s), background, methods, and data analysis
3. Qualifications – (2 pages maximum) describe special or unique strengths that may be relevant to NRN research; special administrative strengths or experience and participation in administrative aspects of clinical research; recent experience and participation in randomized clinical trials.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The individual will be notified in time for the May 1, 2010 letter of intent and June 1, 2010 complete application deadlines.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NIAMS - Core Centers for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine (P30) RFA-AR-14-002

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) invites applications for Research Core Centers (P30s) in musculoskeletal biology and medicine. The Core Centers for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine (CCMBM) will provide shared facilities and services to groups of established, currently funded investigators addressing scientific problems in musculoskeletal biology and medicine, in order to improve efficiency, accelerate the pace of research, and ensure greater productivity.

The CCMBM will provide support for:

• Core resources and facilities to be used by investigators of individually supported research projects in order to enhance and coordinate their activities.
• An Enrichment Program, designed to expand the research base in the area of musculoskeletal biology and medicine. A minimum of $30,000 and up to $100,000 direct costs will be allocated each year to the Enrichment Program, administered through the Administrative Core.
• An Administrative Core, including a Director, Associate Director, and an Advisory Committee, should be proposed to coordinate the Core Center activities, to evaluate and improve the Center, and to administer an Enrichment Program.
• Two or more research cores must also be proposed. A research core is a facility shared by two or more Center investigators that enables them to conduct their independently-funded individual research projects more efficiently and/or more effectively. Cores generally fall into one of four categories: (1) provision of a technology that lends itself to automation or preparation in large batches (e.g., histology, tissue culture, high throughput sequencing, genotyping); (2) complex instrumentation (e.g., electron microscopy, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, whole animal imaging, microarray scanning, mass spectrometry); (3) animal preparation (including transgenic and knockout) and care; and (4) methodology cores (e.g., molecular biology, biostatistics, systems biology, bioinformatics, clinical).

Direct costs of up to $400,000 per year may be requested, with a total project period of 5 years.

Additional information and guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-14-002.html

Because NIAMS limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline. Researchers wanting to submit an application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, February 20, 2013:

1. Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
2. Provide a 1-2 page overview of the proposed Center including the Enrichment Program and at least two research cores

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadlines are May 31, 2013 for an optional letter of intent and July 1, 2013 for the complete application.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NHLBI - Core Clinical Centers for the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network, CTSN (UM1) - RFA-HL-13-017

The purpose of this FOA is to request applications for participation as a Core Clinical Center in a continuation of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN).The goal of the CTSN is to evaluate CT surgical interventions and related management approaches for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and conditions in adult patients.The network provides support to maintain an infrastructure to develop, coordinate, and conduct multiple collaborative surgical trials designed to improve cardiovascular outcomes and optimize post-operative neurological function. Highly innovative approaches to patient recruitment and retention for challenging cardiothoracic (CT) surgical trials, as well as a strong track record of prior trial performance, are sought.

The primary goal of the CTSN is to conduct multiple, collaborative, randomized clinical trials, proof-of-concept trials, and observational prospective clinical studies to evaluate surgical interventions and related management approaches to improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease and conditions in adult populations.Also of interest are strategies to reduce neurological complications, such as stroke, and optimize long-term cognitive and functional outcomes after CT surgery by evaluating neuroprotective approaches. Guidelines and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-13-017.html

Internal Competition: Because the guidelines limit an organization to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program should send a pre-proposal with the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research Tuesday, April 24, 2012:

• Names and departments of the Project Director, key personnel and participating institutions (if any)

• Brief description of the applicant’s successful track record in cardiothoracic surgical trials (1-2 pages)

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make a recommendation. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.) The NIH deadlines are May 13, 2012 (optional letter of intent) and June 13, 2012 (complete application).

National Institutes of Health - Cystic Fibrosis Research and Translation Core Centers (P30) – RFA-DK-11-004

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) invites new and renewal applications for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Research and Translation Core Centers. CF Research and Translation Core Centers are designed to support both basic and clinical research on Cystic Fibrosis. CF Research and Translation Core Centers support three primary research-related activities: 1) Research Core services; 2) a Pilot and Feasibility program; and 3) an Enrichment program. The NIDDK currently supports 5 CF Research and Translation Centers located at institutions with documented programs of research excellence in basic and clinical CF research. A CF Research and Translation Center must be an identifiable unit within a single institution such as a university medical center, or within a consortium of cooperating institutions with complementary research bases. In either case, the Center applications must be associated with an existing program of excellence in biomedical research in basic and clinical research in CF. Program excellence is measured through a consistent and outstanding record of productivity and peer-reviewed research funding in CF and related research areas. The research base for the Center must consist of a minimum of $2,000,000 total costs per year of peer reviewed research projects relevant to the development of therapies for CF. Core support should not be included in the research base. Applications that do not document this level of research project funding will be returned without review.

Guidelines and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-11-004.html

Because NIDDK limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, May 11, 2011:

• Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel

• Project overview (2 pages) – Identify the specific aims of the proposed CF Research and Translation Core Center; list the currently funded biomedical research base in cystic fibrosis including PI, grant title, award number, and annual total award; describe the anticipated impact of the proposed Center on the research base

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NIH deadlines are optional letter of intent May 31, 2011 and complete application June 30, 2011.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NICHD - Data Coordinating Center for two NICHD Cooperative Multicenter Research Networks (U10) – RFA-HD-13-013 and RFA-HD-13-014

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has issued two FOAs inviting applications for a Data Coordinating Center for each of the following Cooperative Research Networks:

• Multicenter Maternal Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Research Network, designed to perform observational and interventional clinical studies to improve maternal, fetal and neonatal health emphasizing randomized-controlled trials. Currently there are 14 NICHD MFMU Clinical Centers and three collaborating centers.
• Cooperative Multicenter Neonatal Research Network (NRN), designed to perform interventional and observational clinical studies in newborn infants, particularly low birth weight infants.  Currently there are 18 NICHD NRN Clinical Centers and four collaborating centers.

In FY 2013 the NIH intends to fund one MFMU Data Coordinating Center award for $13,273,671 and one NRN Data Coordinating Center award for $7.2 million.

Both FOAs require that the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) must possess a doctoral degree in a relevant field such as statistics, biostatistics, or epidemiology and is required to commit 10.2-12.0 person-months (85 to 100 percent) effort to the DCC activities of the specific NICHD network. The PD(s)/PI(s) must have clinical trials, administrative and statistical expertise. Active participation of the PD(s)/PI(s) is expected during all phases of a clinical research study. One individual must be designated as an alternate PD(s)/PI(s) who is able to serve in the absence of the PD(s)/PI(s). The alternate PD(s)/PI(s) must possess a doctoral degree in a relevant field such as statistics, biostatistics, or other relevant area and should commit at least 1.2 person-months (10 percent) effort to the project.

Additional requirements and guidelines are listed in the complete RFAs:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-13-013.html and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-13-014.html.

Because NICHD limits an institution to one Data Coordinating Center proposal for each research network (MFMU or NRN), the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, July 2, 2012:

• The names and departments of the Project Director/Principal Investigator and key personnel
• The specific research network – MFMU or NRN
• A description (1-2 pages) of the team’s prior experience in the design, conduct, data analysis and management of major collaborative clinical research projects as a data coordinating center; capacity and ability to manage data and communications; and evidence of reporting capabilities

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant for each. Both programs have an NIH deadline of August 9, 2012.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Data Management and Resource Repository (DMRR) on Extracellular RNA (U54) – RFA-RM-12-010

The National Institutes of Health have issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the purpose of identifying and supporting a Data Management Resource/Repository (DMRR) for the Extracellular RNA (ExRNA) Communication Program (ERCP). The overall programmatic goal of the DMRR is to integrate the efforts of all of the funded components of the ERCP and serve as a community-wide resource for ExRNA standards, protocols, and data through the development of an ExRNA Atlas. The anticipated functions of the DMRR require an administrative core as well as three distinct stand-alone components in the areas of Scientific Outreach, Data Coordination, and Data Integration and Analysis. Details concerning the administrative core and three required components are described in RFA-RM-12-010: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-12-010.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to one proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, September 5, 2012:

• The names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel
• A brief description of the proposed project (1-2 pages) including responsibilities of PI and key personnel, their expertise in ExRNAs or RNA biology and analyzing RNA-seq data sets, and their plans to achieve the necessary functions for the administrative core and each of the three required components.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadlines are October 12, 2012 for an optional letter of intent and November 13, 2012 for the complete application.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Developing and Improving Institutional Animal Resources (G20) – RFA-OD-112-008

The Office of Research Infrastructure Programs in the National Institutes of Health Office of the Director will provide up to $500,000 to support animal resources improvement projects. Support can be requested to alter and renovate the animal facilities, as well as to improve the animal care equipment in the facility. Details and additional information are available in the complete program announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-12-008.html.

Because NIH limits an institution to one application, the University of Kentucky has an established an internal procedure for this program. Researchers who have suggestions about specific improvement projects are asked to provide the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research (vpr@email.uky.edu) and Dr. Hal Stills (harold.stills@uky.edu), Director of Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, by Friday, June 22, 2012:

• Name and department of PI
• Suggested equipment or renovation and a 1 page rationale

A committee will be convened to review the requests and make a decision as to whether UK will submit an application for the August 7, 2012 NIH deadline.

National Institutes of Health - Developing Research Capacity in Africa for Studies on HIV-Associated Malignancies

The National Cancer Institute and Fogarty International Center are soliciting grant applications for research training programs aimed at strengthening research capacity in HIV-associated malignancies (particularly viral-associated cancers) at institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.  The proposed programs must involve international collaboration (a documented partnership) between an academic institution in the United States (U.S.) and a sub-Saharan African institution or institution consortium (institutions must be located in the same country).  Partnering African institutions must be based in one of the sub-Saharan countries listed by the World Bank (http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,,contentMDK:20421402~pagePK:64133150~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html#Sub_Saharan_Africa).

Specific details are listed in the complete announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-09-016.html.

Only one application per U.S. institution is allowed.  An application should focus on only one African country, but may include a consortium of universities within that country.  To comply with the institutional limit, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process.  Individuals interested in submitting a proposal should send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, October 29, 2009:

1. Names and departments of the PI and key personnel
2. Name of the Senior Collaborator from Africa and the African institution (s) to be involved in the partnership
3. Project narrative (4 pages maximum) – briefly describe the training options to be provided by the PI’s team along with the responsibilities of the African institution(s)
4. Provide a list of research grants that demonstrate a history of research collaborations in HIV/AIDS or oncology between the PI’s team and the African institutions and a description of past collaborative training activities between the two groups

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the November 17, 2009 letter of intent and the December 17, 2009 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Developmental Mechanisms of Human Structural Birth Defects (P01) – RFA-HD-10-006

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) solicits innovative, multidisciplinary, interactive, and synergistic program project (P01) grant applications from institutes/organizations that propose to integrate basic, translational, and clinical approaches to understanding the developmental biology and genetic basis of congenital structural human malformations. To contain costs, each P01 will consist of only three component projects and associated cores. At least one project must use basic research in an animal model system and at least one project must be clinical or translational in nature. The component projects must share a common central theme, focus, or objective on a specific developmental structural malformation or class of anomalies that is genotypically, mechanistically, biologically, or phenotypically analogous or homologous in both animal models and humans.

Guidelines and additional information are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-10-006.html

Because NIH limits an institution to only one application in response to this solicitation, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting a program project are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, September 15, 2010:

• Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel
• Project overview (1-2 pages)
• provide a brief description of the proposed research area of the program project
• identify the common central theme, focus, or objective on a specific developmental structural malformation or class of anomalies that the component projects share
• list the three specific component projects and label which project(s) uses basic research in an animal model and which project(s) is clinical or translational in nature.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. Deadlines are October 30, 2010 (optional letter of intent) and November 30, 2010 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Diabetes Research Centers (P30) - RFA-DK-11-015

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) invites applications for Diabetes Research Center grants to support research in diabetes mellitus and its complications, and related areas of endocrinology and metabolism.  Diabetes Research Centers support three primary research-related activities:  (1) Research Core Services that provide resources to enhance the efficiency, productivity, and multidisciplinary nature of research in designated topic areas; (2) a Pilot and Feasibility Program designed to foster the development of new investigators and to provide seed-support for innovative high-risk projects; and (3) an Enrichment Program to promote interdisciplinary interaction and training of investigators in areas of NIDDK interest.

A Diabetes Research Center must be an identifiable unit within a single institution such as a university medical center, or within a consortium of cooperating institutions. In either case, Diabetes Center applications must be associated with an existing program of excellence in biomedical research in diabetes and in related areas of metabolism and endocrinology. Program excellence is measured through a consistent and outstanding record of productivity and peer-reviewed research funding in diabetes and related research areas.

The NIDDK plans to commit $15.0M FY2012.  Application budgets are limited to $1.0M per year in direct costs unless the applicant organization proposes to provide regional or national core services as described in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Additional requirements and application guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-11-015.html

Because the NIDDK limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, September 12, 2011:

• Names and departments of PI and key personnel
• Overview of the proposed Diabetes Research Center (1-2 pages) – Identify the broad, long-range objectives and goals of the Center; list the specific biomedical research cores; and provide an overview of the ongoing diabetes research base and the impact of the proposed Center on this research

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission.  Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

Deadlines: Optional letter of intent: January 31, 2012; complete application: February 29, 2012.

National Institutes of Health - Dissertation Research Award to Increase Diversity

The National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCHHD) invites applications to support qualified pre-doctoral students to pursue research careers in any area relevant to the research mission of the NCMHD (i.e., minority health and health disparities research) and simultaneously increase the diversity of this workforce. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate Scientific/Research Contact listed in the RFA to gain more information on the relevance of their proposed dissertation topic to NCMHD’s mission.

Eligibility is limited to pre-doctoral students at the dissertation stage (completed all of the required coursework for the doctoral degree) of training with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research; U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents by the time of the award; and students whose doctoral committee has approved the dissertation proposal. In addition, applicants must be:

• Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups who have been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral science;
• Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or
• Individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research.

Guidelines and complete funding opportunity announcement:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MD-09-008.html

Most recent internal deadline: June 1, 2009.

Most recent external deadline: June 30, 2009.

National Institutes of Health - NINDS - Diversity Research Education Grants in Neuroscience (R25)

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke invites applications for Diversity Research Education grants whose goals are to support the development and/or implementation of programs to: (1) increase the number of Ph.D.-level research scientists from diverse backgrounds including graduate, post-doctoral and/or junior-faculty career levels; and (2) advance the careers of the participants to the next step in their education. Funding support for the R25 Diversity Research Education Programs should lead to increased recruitment, mentoring, education and retention of researchers from diverse backgrounds in the neuroscience scientific workforce.

Examples of programs that are of potential interest to the NINDS include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Programs that target Participants from Diverse Backgrounds
• Programs that target Mentors and Institutional Officials
• Programs that target Health Disparities
• Programs that target Small Business Entry

The proposed research education program may complement other, ongoing research training and education occurring at an applicant institution, but the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those research training and research education programs currently receiving federal support. Although research education grants are not typical research instruments, they do involve experiments in education and/or dissemination of research knowledge that require an evaluation plan in order to determine their effectiveness. A plan must be provided for program evaluation and/or dissemination.

NINDS support for R25 programs relies equally on scientific merit and programmatic considerations. Consequently, it is imperative that potential applicants speak with program officials at NINDS before preparing an application. NINDS will not support programs, regardless of the results of merit review, if they do not fulfill current programmatic priorities at NINDS. Direct costs are up to $250,000 per year; total project period may not exceed 5 years.

Additional program information is available in the complete announcement:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-010.html

Because NINDS limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications.  Researchers wanting to submit an R25 Diversity Research Education Grant in Neuroscience are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, November 22, 2010:

• Names and department of the Program Director/Principal Investigator(s) and other key personnel of the project team
• Overview of the proposed research education program – 4 pages maximum – a) describe the proposed education experiences, the overall goals and objectives of the program, the number of participants to be supported and their career levels ; b) outline the evaluation plan

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant.  This is a ongoing funding opportunity announcement, with annual deadlines until 2013.  The next deadlines are:  optional letter of intent - December 25, 2010 and complete application – January 25, 2011.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663). 

National Institutes of Health - NIGMS - Drug Docking and Screening Data Resource

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) invites applications to create a Drug Docking and Screening Data Resource. The goal is to increase the amount of high quality data publicly available for development, validation and benchmarking of ligand docking and screening software. The development of accurate and robust methods for in silico drug screening is expected to speed drug discovery and reduce cost, by focusing experimental efforts on the most promising candidate compounds. The Data Resource will identify, collect, refine, and expand existing sets of ligand affinity and structural data for selected drug target proteins provided by the community; integrate new with existing ligand binding data; and make the data available to all. The total amount to be awarded is up to $5.0 million ($1.0 million total cost per year for 5 years).

Additional details are available in the complete announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-GM-08-008.html.

Deadline: March 18, 2008

Most recent internal deadline: February 11, 2008.

Most recent external deadline: March 18, 2008.

National Institutes of Health - NHLBI - Effectiveness Research on Smoking Cessation in Hospitalized Patients - Research Coordinating Unit

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) solicits four-year cooperative agreement grant applications from institutions/organizations to serve as the Research Coordinating Unit (RCU) for the grantees of the Effectiveness Research on Smoking Cessation in Hospitalized Patients (see RFA-HL-10-020), referred to as primary research sites (PRSs).The RCU solicited by this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will facilitate coordination of research activities of the PRSs awarded under the parallel FOA. The PRSs will be responsible for planning, directing, and executing their own studies and conducting their own data management and statistical analyses. The RCU awardee will be responsible for: (a) planning, arranging, and supporting meetings of the Steering Committee and its subcommittee to facilitate the use of common measures, methods, and data management procedures of the PRSs; (b) supporting and coordinating the semi-annual meetings of the DSMB appointed by NHLBI; and (c) providing the infrastructure for data aggregation and data sharing across PRSs.  NHLBI expects to award $600,000 in total costs over four years to fund one Research Coordinating Unit (RCU) through this announcement.

Applicants may submit only one application as the RCU.  An institution is encouraged to submit an application for both an RCU and a PRS, but each must have a different PI/PD.

Research Coordinating Unit Tasks

The primary goal of the RCU is to facilitate coordination of research activities and communications between and among awardees and the NIH. In consultation with the awardees and with NIH, the RCU will be responsible for conducting a number of tasks, including, but not limited to the following:

• Facilitation of the Adoption of Common Measures/Procedures and Data Aggregating/Sharing
• Meetings
• Communications and Dissemination
• Evaluation

Additional program information is available in the complete announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-10-025.html

Because NHLBI limits an institution to one application as the RCU, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications. Researchers wanting to submit a RCU application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Friday, December 11, 2009:

• Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
• Project overview – 3 pages maximum – Provide a narrative description of the team’s qualifications for the following:
• leadership and performance experience
• academic and management capabilities
• capacity and ability to manage data and communications
• evidence of meeting coordination capabilities
• staffing expertise and organizational structure
• other unique strengths that may be relevant to the outcomes research infrastructure and research

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant.  The individual will be notified in time for the December 18, 2009 letter of intent and January 19, 2010 complete application deadlines.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

Most recent internal deadline: December 11, 2009.

Most recent external deadline: January 19, 2010.

National Institutes of Health - Enabling National Networking of Scientists and Resource Discovery (U24)

Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition - The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) invites applications designed to develop, enhance, or extend infrastructure for connecting people and resources to facilitate national discovery of individuals and of scientific resources by scientists and students to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific exchange. Implementation and evaluation at all participating institutions of a national prototype in research networking and implementation and evaluation at all participating institutions of a national prototype for resource discovery are the key deliverables at the end of the two-year project period.

Eligible institutions are limited to those who hold current NCRR Center and Center-like Programs such as the Biomedical Informatics Research Network, Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence, Clinical and Translational Science Awards, and IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence. Other eligible Centers are listed in the RFA. A minimum of six eligible institutions must be included in the application to ensure broad applicability and national impact. Eligible institutions may not submit, but may participate in more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct.

NCRR expects to make two awards. The requested budget may not exceed $7,500,000 total costs per year for a maximum of $15,000,000 total costs over a two-year project period. Responsive projects should fall into one of two categories:  research networking or resource discovery. NCRR anticipates funding one application in each area.

See complete RFA for additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RR-09-009.html

Most recent internal deadline: May 26, 2009.

Most recent external deadline: June 15, 2009.

National Institutes of Health - Engineered Nanomaterials: Linking Physical and Chemical Properties to Biology

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences invites applications that will (1) determine which physical or chemical characteristic of an engineered nanomaterial (ENM), or cluster of characteristics, is integral to ENM-molecular interactions in a cellular process or organ system and (2) relate these findings to potential health effects. NIEHS recognizes that three types of activities need to converge to accomplish this research agenda. The first activity should focus on a detailed understanding of how physical and chemical characteristics of ENMs influence their molecular interactions at the cellular level, while the second activity should determine how the physical and chemical characteristics critical to that interaction are associated with any observed physiological or pathobiological events. The third activity will capitalize on these multidisciplinary efforts through integration of biochemical, molecular, and physiological mechanisms to expand traditional hazard identification and health risk assessment. An extraordinary level of synergy, integration, and potential for advancement of ENM hazard identification and risk assessment is expected. Proposals responsive to this announcement should employ three projects that will examine an overarching research theme through mechanistic studies and in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo model systems.

Additional information is available in the complete announcement:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-09-011.html

Because NIEHS limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications. Researchers wanting to submit an application in response to this announcement are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Friday, December 11, 2009:

• Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team and their specific roles
• Program overview – 3 pages maximum
• Identify the central overarching theme that develops approaches to evaluate, understand, and predict toxicity mechanisms and potential health implications of exposure to engineered nanomaterials
• Briefly describe each of the three proposed projects
• Project 1: Research in the first project must be designed to understand mechanistic effects of variations in specific physical and chemical properties using ex vivo and/or in vitro investigations. The investigators should define a focus relating material characterization to the mechanisms of biological response.
• Project 2: Research in the second project must be designed to understand physiological and pathobiological effects of specific physical and chemical properties of ENMs at the organ and organism level using acute or sub-chronic in vivo exposures (using relevant routes and doses), isolated organs, and/or well validated computational models. An experimental approach may utilize genetically manipulated mouse strains and disease susceptible models to understand and extrapolate potential health implications to susceptible/vulnerable human populations.
• Project 3:  The research in this project will develop approaches to translate the knowledge of the in vitro and in vivo effects of ENM into a risk assessment paradigm or to expand the risk assessment methods used to characterize ENM safety.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant.  The individual will be notified in time for the December 22, 2009 letter of intent and January 22, 2010 complete application deadlines.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NIEHS - Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers (P30) – RFA-ES-13-002

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invites applications for support of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Core Centers. A Core Center Grant is an institutional award to support centralized scientific resources and facilities shared by investigators with existing research projects. The NIEHS plans to commit $6 million for FY 2014 to fund 3 - 4 awards.

Requirements
To qualify for an EHS Core Center, the applicant institution must already have a substantial base of ongoing, independently supported, peer-reviewed research projects clearly dedicated to the study of environmental health sciences or environmental medicine. The application must indicate a minimum of three distinct active NIEHS-supported research grants from three member principal investigators with at least 1 full year of activity remaining at the time of submission, not including administrative extensions, either with or without additional funds. This requirement supersedes the previous description that did not indicate a minimum length of time remaining on the qualifying grants. Each application must have a minimum of two Facility Cores (one of which is an Integrated Health Sciences Facility Core), an Administrative Core, a Community Outreach and Engagement Core (COEC), a Career Development Program, and a Pilot Project Program. Research cores are optional.

See the complete announcement for details:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-13-002.html Because the NIEHS limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications. Researchers wanting to submit a proposal to establish an Environmental Health Sciences Core Center are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.eduand a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, December 18, 2012:

• Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
• Participating institutions, if any
• A list of currently active NIEHS-supported and other funded grants relevant to the proposed Core Center (PI name and grant number)
• Overview – maximum 2 pages.  Identify the central theme, the goals of the Core Center, and expected scientific outcomes and impact on human disease and public health

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadlines are January 14, 2013 (optional letter of intent) and February 13, 2013 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Framework Programs for Global Health Innovation (D43) – PAR-12-003

The Framework Programs for Global Health Innovation will provide support to institutions in the U.S. and in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) to build capacity within their institutions to develop broadly interdisciplinary training programs in global health directed towards encouraging Innovation in health-related products, processes, and policies. Trainees should be at the postdoctoral level or have attained a terminal degree in their fields. Training should be directed towards identifying critical health needs in LMICs that can be addressed through Innovation, and trainees should carry out the scientific research necessary to develop, validate, and test their concepts. To increase the translation of research findings into realized health benefits, project design should include considerations of implementation appropriate to low resource settings in LMICs, particularly regarding increased effectiveness, affordability, accessibility, ease of use or delivery, and/or scalability. This FOA emphasizes hands-on, problem-solving, and collaborative approaches and allows U.S. and LMIC trainees to be trained together in joint programs. By engaging multiple entities within and among institutions, the proposed programs should also create the institutional infrastructure necessary to support interdisciplinary training in global health Innovation, stimulate new collaborations, and increase the pipeline of researchers from a wide variety of fields who engage in global health research.

Proposed activities may encompass the many research fields in global health broadly or may be more focused, thematically or geographically, but should address the health concerns of populations living in low resource settings in LMICs. The application must include participation by at least three Schools, departments, or entities of distinct disciplines, either at the applicant institution or among a consortium. Subspecialties within a field, such as Medicine, would not qualify as distinct disciplines, and three departments within one School are unlikely to meet this standard. See the complete PAR for guidelines and additional requirements:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-12-003.html

Because the Fogarty International Center limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, November 3, 2011:

• Names and departments of PI and key personnel
• Names of consortium participants – if applicable
• Overview of the proposed training program (1-2 pages) – Identify the broad, long-term goals and specific objectives, planned activities/strategies, and proposed evaluation plan

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission.  Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

Next NIH deadlines: Optional letter of intent: November 16, 2011; complete application: December 15, 2011.

National Institutes of Health - Framework Programs for Global Health Signature Innovations Initiative

The NIH invites applications from U.S. institutions and their partners to enhance the infrastructure and opportunities at the participating institutions for training postdoctoral investigators to carry out innovative, multidisciplinary research in Global Health. The initiative emphasizes hands on, problem solving, and collaborative approaches and may require the development of new training models and new partnerships within and beyond the university community.

One application per institution is allowed, although applicant institutions may also participate as members of consortia on applications submitted through other institutions.

For this funding opportunity, the requested budget may not exceed $250,000 (single academic institutions) or $400,000 (consortia- see definitions under Section II.2) direct costs per year for a one-year project period. Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs are limited to up to 8% of direct costs.

The ARRA Framework Programs for Global Health Signature Innovations Initiative will provide short-term support to U.S. universities and their partners to build capacity to train postdoctoral investigators to carry out innovative, multidisciplinary research in Global Health and to attract new investigators with diverse expertise into this research field. Institutions should propose to build research or research training infrastructure and develop training resources and activities that will provide the university community with the tools, concepts, mentoring, and opportunities that will nurture innovative multidisciplinary approaches to Global Health research that go beyond sharing viewpoints to actively working together on common research problems. The initiative emphasizes hands on, problem solving, and collaborative approaches. This FOA is consistent with the goals of the FIC Strategic Plan (http://www.fic.nih.gov/about/plan/stratplan_fullversion.pdf ) to support and facilitate global health research in both communicable and non-communicable diseases, build partnerships between health research institutions in the U.S. and abroad, and train the next generation of scientists to address global health needs.

Scope: The proposed activities may encompass the many research fields in Global Health broadly or may be more focused, thematically or geographically, but should address the health concerns of populations living in low resource settings, particularly in LMICs. The applicant may propose completely new activities or build significantly on initiatives already in place at the university that will take these initiatives to a new level or result in a new use of available resources. The applicant should not propose to merely sustain an initiative already in place.

Participants and Consortia: The application must include participation by at least three Schools of distinct disciplines (such as Public Health, Engineering, and Computer Science), either at the applicant institution or among a consortium. We particularly encourage the inclusion of Schools or Departments with expertise in Technology and Computer Sciences, although all disciplines are welcome. Applicants may choose to form consortia that include other academic or research institutions outside the university that could provide synergistic or special expertise and experience, or that share common goals. These may include institutions in the U.S. or in LMICs (within the constraints of ARRA funding, see Section II.2 below). It is likely that many projects or training models would benefit from cooperative partnerships or joint training with individuals who work in the environments in which the products or research solutions would be deployed.

This one-year grant is intended to act as a catalyst. It is expected that the concept for the proposed infrastructure, resources, and training opportunities can be fully developed and activities initiated during this period. FIC anticipates, subject to the availability of funds, that there may be a follow on opportunity that will allow for the continued development and full implementation of the activities and infrastructure developed through this signature award.

Pre-requisite activities in Global Health: All current or former U.S. FIC Framework Programs for Global Health grantee institutions are eligible to apply for this initiative. Other institutions are eligible to apply if they can demonstrate that the institution has a minimum of five research or research training grants or research contracts in Global Health topics involving significant participation by partners in low or middle income countries as defined by the World Bank, above (such as a role as key or significant personnel or listed performance site). At least three of these awards must be from the NIH. These awards must be active on the application receipt date for this FOA. The institution may be a subcontract on one of the awards. Alternatively, if a consortium of institutions applies as partners, the institutions applying must together meet this pre-requisite (i.e. as the sum of all the partners). Provide a Table in the appendix that lists the qualifying grants and contracts, including the following information: source of funding, name of PI, institution holding the award, grant or contract number, total amount of award, and end date.

Guidelines and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-10-007.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in responding to this solicitation are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, February 17, 2010:

• Names, departments, and college/school of the Project Director and key personnel including their roles on the project. If non-UK participants are included, identify the institution
• Names of participating foreign institutions

• Narrative (4 pages) – include a) description of the proposed program; b) list five research or research training grants or research contracts in Global Health topics involving significant participation by partners in low or middle income countries as defined by the World Bank with the source of funding, name of PI, grant or contract number, total amount of award, and end date.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the February 22, 2010 letter of intent and March 22, 2010 complete application deadlines.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes for Health - NHGRI - Genome Sequencing and Analysis Centers (U54) RFA-HG-10-015

NIH has issued a solicitation to renew the National Human Genome Research Institute’s large-scale sequencing program. This program has successfully completed the human genome sequence and the genomic sequences of many organisms of importance for biomedical research and comparative genomics, characterized detailed genetic variation in human populations, and initiated many medical sequencing projects to identify genomic changes implicated in inherited disease and cancer. NHGRI intends to renew its large-scale sequencing program, continuing its record of increasing production and decreasing costs over time, which will allow application of high throughput sequencing to increasingly challenging questions, for example the basis for complex inherited disease. The program will continue its emphasis contributing to understanding the underlying role that DNA-based changes contribute to biological systems. The renewed program will also emphasize the increasingly challenging issue of identifying and designing new project types that address the most compelling new questions that can be answered as high throughput sequencing continues to evolve, and also the increasingly challenging bioinformatics and integration issues that attend such studies. During the next four years, NHGRI anticipates that the type and number of important large-scale sequencing products will continue to expand, requiring new flexibility from the components of the program. Applicants to this program are required to submit a parallel application to the “Initiative to Maximize Research Education in Genomics (R25)”http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-245.html

Complete details – RFA-HG-10-015: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-10-015.html

Because NIH limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline. Researchers wanting to submit an application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, January 10, 2011:

1. Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
2. Provide a 1-2 page overview of the proposed Center including the investigator’s track record in large-scale sequencing, list of aims, major scientific and technical directions and areas of emphasis for the Center, and proposed Center-initiated projects that will occupy approximately 50% of the initial 12-18 months of the sequencing capacity.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. NIH deadlines are February 3, 2011 (Letter of intent) and March 3, 2011 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes for Health - Genomics of Transplantation Cooperative Research Program – RFA-AI-10-019

Purpose. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) invites new or renewal applications from single institutions or consortia of institutions to participate in a cooperative interdisciplinary research program for large-scale, broad-scope genomic studies in clinical transplantation of solid organ, tissue, and cells. The goals of this program are to identify and characterize gene polymorphisms and gene expression patterns that: (1) correlate with and/or predict transplantation outcomes; (2) define immune responses relating to the onset and severity of acute and chronic graft rejection; (3) predict responses to immunosuppression to allow tailoring of therapy; and (4) elucidate the genetic basis of variability in graft survival between populations or individuals. The long-term goal of the program is to understand the genetic basis of immune-mediated graft rejection and differences in transplant outcomes to provide a rational basis for developing more effective treatments to improve long-term graft survival and provide a better quality-of-life for transplant patients.

Mechanism of Support. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will utilize the single project (U01) and multi-project (U19) Cooperative Agreement award mechanism.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIAID anticipates that approximately $4 million total costs will be available in FY 2011 to fund two to four new or renewal U01 and/or U19 awards.

Number of Applications. An institution may not submit more than two applications. An individual PD/PI may only submit one application as PD/PI or as part of a multiple PD/PI team. However, a PD/PI may serve as a collaborator on another U01/U19 application provided there is no scientific overlap with the application submitted as the PD/PI or as part of a multiple PD/PI team.

Additional information and guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-10-019.html

Because NIAID limits an institution to two applications, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, September 21, 2010:

• Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel
• Specify if application is for a single project (U01) or multi-projects (U19)
• Overview (1-2 pages total) – include descriptive title of proposed research project(s), specific aims, long range objectives and proposed activities

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submissions. Deadlines are October 19, 2010 (optional letter of intent) and November 19, 2010 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes for Health - NIDDK - George M. O’Brien Kidney Research Core Centers (P30) – RFA-DK-12-008

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) invites applications for George M. O’Brien Kidney Research Core Centers to support both basic and clinical research on kidney disease.  A Kidney Research Core Center must be an identifiable unit within a single institution such as a university medical center, or within a consortium of cooperating institutions.  The Kidney Research Core Center applications must be associated with an existing program of excellence in biomedical research in kidney disease. Program excellence is measured through a consistent and outstanding record of productivity and peer-reviewed research funding in kidney disease and related research areas.

The NIDDK intends to commit approximately $4.8M for four awards in FY 2013.  Application budgets are limited to $750,000 in direct costs per year; the project period may not exceed five years.  Details about this funding opportunity (RFA-DK-12-008), including specific Research Core Center Guidelines, are available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-12-008.html

Because the NIDDK limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.eduand a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, August 1, 2012:

• Names and departments of PI and participating researchers
• Participating institutions (if any)
• Overview of the proposed Kidney Research Core Center (1-2 pages) – Identify the central theme(s) or focus area(s) and broad, long-range objectives and goals of the Center; provide an overview of the ongoing NIDDK-funded research in kidney disease at UK and any participating institutions and the impact of the proposed Center on this research

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission.  Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

NIH deadlines: Optional letter of intent: October 14, 2012; complete application: November 14, 2012.

National Institutes for Health - George M. O’Brien Urology Research Centers (P50)

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) invites applications for George M. O’Brien Urology Research Centers to support multidisciplinary research in clinical, translational, or basic sciences that aim to improve the clinical diagnosis, detection, prevention and/or treatment of a single clinically-oriented urologic disorder or disease within NIDDK mission interests.  Each center must address a single major clinically-oriented urologic syndrome or disease (“theme”) that is within NIDDK’s mission and include:

• Three or more multidisciplinary research projects, each of which focuses on the center’s central clinical theme.  At least one of these projects must be in clinical research such as clinical or patient-oriented studies (e.g., genetics, epidemiology, or the natural history of a disease).  The remaining research projects can be clinical, translational, or basic science research, each of which clearly is interrelated and reflective of the clinical theme of the center.
• Biomedical Research Core(s), each of which must be used by at least two of the research projects.
• Administrative Core including 1) a Pilot and Feasibility Program, and 2) an Educational Enrichment Program

Additional information is available in the complete RFA:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-08-016.html

Most recent internal deadline: February 4, 2009.

Most recent external deadline: February 18, 2009 (letter of intent) and March 18, 2009 (complete application).

National Institutes for Health - Global Health Program for Fellows and Scholars (Global Health Fellows) (R25) – RFA-TW-11-001

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) outlines an opportunity for eligible institutions to apply to become Fogarty Global Health Program Support Centers under the Global Health Program for Fellows and Scholars (Global Health Fellows) Program to meet the following objectives:

• Provide focused mentoring for participants (post-doctorates and doctoral students from the U.S. and low-and middle-income countries [LMICs] in global health research at established research sites in LMICs.
• Provide 11-month research education/experience opportunities in diverse areas of research for participants at those research sites
• Enhance the global health research career trajectory potential of the participants.
• Strengthen global health research networks among the alumni and mentors across institutions in the U.S. and LMICs.
• Strengthen global health programs at U.S. academic institutions and help to sustain global health research at institutions in LMICs.

These awards may be used to strengthen existing (and in some cases develop new) partnerships between U.S. and LMIC research institutions that will contribute to global health research capacity building and the use of research to improve treatment, identify preventive measures, and groom future generations of health scientists who can ultimately improve the health outcomes related to these areas in the applicant’s community and country (both U.S. and LMIC). Although not required, applicants are encouraged to form a consortium that may include up to 4 complementary US academic/training institutions.

Applicants are encouraged to:

• Develop and implement a strategic five-year global health research education/experience program.
• Develop strategic partnerships with established research, research training and research education/experience sites (preferably long-standing NIH-funded programs) in LMICs.
• Develop and implement a system for recruitment, selection (including selection criteria for participants) and placement of participants every year (for U.S. post-doctorates, LMIC post-doctorates, U.S. doctoral students and LMIC doctoral students).
• Develop and implement mentoring and support plans for the participants at LMIC sites.
• Enhance research opportunities for participants in diverse global health priority areas such as chronic non-communicable diseases (i.e., malignancy, cardiovascular, hematology, mental health, metabolic diseases, etc.), women’s health, child health and developmental health, genetics, injury, communicable diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and vaccine-preventable diseases, and/or other health priorities (please refer to the objectives section of this FOA) which significantly impact morbidity and pre-mature mortality in LMICs

NIH intends to commit annually up to an estimated $4 million for up to 4 awards.  See the complete RFA for guidelines and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-11-001.html

Because NIH limits an institution to only one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, September 14, 2011:

• Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel

• Names of participating LMIC(s) and US academic/training institutions (if applicable)
• Project overview (2 pages) – Provide an overview of the research education plan and the qualifications of the proposed education sites in the participating LMIC(s).

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NIH deadline for the complete application is October 14, 2011.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes for Health - Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research (U10) – RFA-HD-13-006

The NIH invites applications from U.S. institutions to support Research Units (RUs) within the Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research at NICHD.RUs will consist of U.S.-based research centers in partnership with research centers in low income foreign countries. These RUs will participate in addressing the major causes of maternal, neonatal, infant, and early childhood morbidity and mortality through the conduct of clinical research. The grantees will form a cooperative network in scientific partnership with NIH to conduct multi-center randomized clinical trials evaluating interventions in resource-poor settings.

Applications for a Global Network Research Unit grant must be submitted jointly by collaborating teams of investigators that include the applicant U.S. PD/PI and a Senior Foreign Investigator (SFI), who must be a national of a low income country residing in his/her own country. These collaborating teams are identified as “Research Units” in the context of this FOA. For the purposes of this FOA, low income countries are defined as resource-limited nations in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Investigators and their institutions from the low income countries are expected to function as full and equal partners with the collaborating U.S. investigators.

See the complete RFA for additional information and guidelines:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-13-006.html

Because the sponsor limits an institution to only one application, UK has established an internal selection process and deadline. Researchers wanting to submit an application to this program are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, June 25, 2012:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and other key UK personnel of the project team
• Name of the participating institution(s) in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or Latin America and the name of the Senior Foreign Investigator
• Provide a descriptive title of the proposed research and a 2 page overview of the project, experience in randomized clinical trials, and history of collaboration

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The optional letter of intent is due June 30, 2012; July 31, 2012 is the deadline for the complete application.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes for Health - Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research Data Coordinating Center (U01) – RFA-HD-12-201

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has issued the following RFA. An institution may submit only one application for the RFA:

• Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research Data Coordinating Center (U01)
  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-12-201.html

The Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research Data Coordinating Center RFA solicits grant applications for a Data Coordinating Center to be part of a Global Network including up to seven clinical Research Units to reduce the major risk of maternal, neonatal, infant, and early childhood mortality and significant morbidity in low income countries.

The Global Network Data Coordinating Center has the responsibility to provide the Network's organizational, statistical, and technical support, including the shared funding of information technology staff and site training, and regulatory adherence. The Data Coordinating Center will financially support specialty consultations, specialty services, and other study needs. It is responsible for assisting the sites in developing and implementing common protocols, implementing quality assurance procedures, including site monitoring; developing data management systems and databases; and developing analytic capacity. The Data Coordinating Center will be responsible for the creation and integrity of study databases, analytic capacity, and support of and attendance at all Network meetings.

Because the sponsor limits an institution to one application for either of the above RFAs, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications. Researchers wanting to submit an application for a Research Unit (RFA-HD-12-200) or a Data Coordinating Center (RFA-HD-12-201) are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, June 23, 2011:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and other key personnel of the project team

• Specify if the application is for a Research Unit (RFA-HD-12-200) or for a Data Coordinating Center (RFA-HD-12-201)
• Research Unit applications are to include the following:
• Provide a descriptive title of the proposed research
• Specify the participating institution(s) in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or Latin America
• Provide a 2 page overview of the project, experience in randomized clinical trials, and history of collaboration
• Data Coordinating Center applications are to include the following:
• Provide a 2 page description of performance as a data coordinating center in the past 3 to 5 years and collaborative experience with multicenter randomized clinical trials

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. Optional letter of intent is due July 11, 2011; August 11, 2011 is the deadline for the complete application.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NIEHS - Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invites applications for cooperative agreements to support the development of model programs for the training and education of workers engaged in activities related to hazardous materials and waste generation, removal, containment, transportation and emergency response. The major objective of this solicitation is to prevent work-related harm by assisting in the training of workers in how best to protect themselves and their communities from exposure to hazardous materials encountered during hazardous waste operations, hazardous materials transportation, environmental restoration of contaminated facilities or chemical emergency response. A major goal of the Worker Education and Training Program (WETP) is to provide assistance to organizations in developing their institutional competency to provide appropriate model training and education programs.

The NIEHS intends to commit a total of approximately $26 million in FY 2010 to fund 15 to 20 cooperative agreements in response to this FOA for a period of 5 years. A new applicant may request a budget for direct costs of up to $700,000 for the first year.

The RFA lists 3 distinct program areas: Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program, Minority Worker Training Program, and the Hazmat Disaster Preparedness Training Program. A website has been created at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/hazmat/funding/hwwt2009_rfa_links.cfm which provides important background reports and other information about the three program areas.

General training goals and objectives - The immediate goal of worker health and safety training is educational in nature, designed to provide students with relevant information, program-solving skills, and the confidence needed to use these tools. Long-term goals of the model training programs should be to assure that workers become and remain active participants in determining and improving the health and safety conditions under which they work, and that avenues for collaborative employer-employee relationships in creating safe workplaces are established. Worker safety and health training is adult-based, action-oriented, and result-centered. The goals and objectives of the worker training program focus on outcomes rather than on learning for its own sake. Workers come to training with a great volume of experience, and are, in many ways, the richest resources of a training class. Experience shows that successful adult education often emphasizes peer-sharing activities, such as problem-solving and simulation exercises, that tap the experience of the learner. Successful worker training often mirrors the way people learn from each other at work. After training, workers should be able to bring what they have learned in the classroom or work-site training back to their jobs.

These training goals and objectives apply to all programs; however, there are specific goals and objectives restricted to the MWTP and the HDPTP. Applications which are responsive to this solicitation must clearly delineate the training populations being targeted by specifying a discrete training plan, program resources and a segregated program budget which responds to a combination or all of the authorized NIEHS assistance programs through HWWTP, MWTP, and the HDPTP. It is imperative that all applicants understand that they must apply for the HWWTP component in order to apply for other program components.

Applicant Information Meeting Date: September 2, 2009 (1-5 PM on the NIEHS Main Campus, Rall Building, Rodbell Conference Room B at 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC). NIEHS staff will explain the purpose of the program, provide instructions about the application process, and answer questions. A summary of responses from the briefing, all relevant information for potential applicants and Supplementary Instructions will be available upon request from NIEHS (wetp@niehs.nih.gov) and will be posted on the NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program (WETP) home page at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/hazmat.

Guidelines and additional information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-09-004.html

Because the NIEHS will accept only one application from an institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, September 14, 2009:  

• Names and departments of the PI and key personnel
• Names of participating institutions or organizations (if any)
• Narrative – 3-4 pages – Title of the proposed project; identify the training components that will be covered (HWWTP, MWTP, and/or HDPTP); briefly describe the specific goals and activities for each component; summarize the training expertise of the project team.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The individual selected to be UK’s applicant will be notified in sufficient time to prepare the proposal for the November 23, 2009 deadline.

National Institutes of Health - NIEHS - Hazmat Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invites applications to support the development of model programs for the training and education of workers engaged in activities related to hazardous materials and waste generation, removal, containment, transportation and emergency response within the Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Weapons Complex. The NIEHS intends to commit approximately $9.5 million annually beginning in FY 2010 to fund between 7 and 10 cooperative agreements in response to this FOA for a period of 5 years. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity must be 5 years. A new applicant may request a budget for direct costs of up to $700,000 for the first year.

The NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program, in partnership with the DOE Environmental Management Program, has supported qualified domestic nonprofit organizations to develop and administer model health and safety education programs for hazardous materials or waste workers within the nuclear weapons complex. The goal of the DOE/NIEHS Worker Training Program has been to provide site-specific, quality training to workers in a timely and cost-effective manner, through a partnership involving government, contractors, and labor organizations. A cornerstone of the program is the use of "worker-trainers," employees well-versed in performing a given task in a hazardous environment who are trained to instruct other workers.

Cooperative agreement applicants are expected to make a reasonable effort to develop cooperative relationships with DOE training managers to: (1) identify what training courses are needed to ensure that applicable health and safety training requirements are met; (2) accurately determine the number of employees who need training; and (3) ensure that training meets site-specific needs and is consistent with established quality standards. Such arrangements should be described in detail in the training plan. An applicant may join with one or more nonprofit organizations in a single application and share resources in order to maximize worker group coverage, enhance the effectiveness of training, and bring together appropriate academic disciplines and talents. Such arrangements are strongly encouraged.

Applicant Information Meeting Date: September 2, 2009 (1-5 PM on the NIEHS Main Campus, Rall Building, Rodbell Conference Room B at 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC). NIEHS staff will explain the purpose of the program, provide instructions about the application process, and answer questions. A summary of responses from the briefing, all relevant information for potential applicants and Supplementary Instructions will be available upon request from NIEHS (wetp@niehs.nih.gov) and will be posted on the NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program (WETP) home page at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/hazmat.

Guidelines and additional information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-09-003.html

Because the NIEHS will accept only one application from an institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, September 14, 2009:  

• Names and departments of the PI and key personnel
• Name and location of DOE training manager contacted
• Names of collaborating non-profit organizations and their role on the project
• Narrative – 3-4 pages – Title the project Hazmat Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex; describe the specific goals and proposed activities; identify plans for reaching underserved workers in the proposed target populations and potential ways of incorporating green job principles into hazmat training; summarize the training expertise of the project team.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The individual selected to be UK’s applicant will be notified in sufficient time to prepare the proposal for the November 23, 2009 deadline.

National Insititues of Health - Health Disparities Research on Minority and Underserved Populations

The National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) seeks R01 applications from investigators whose current research focuses on disease/conditions that disproportionately affect ethnic racial minorities, underserved populations, and rural and low-income populations. The research may include, but is not limited to, chronic diseases such as: cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, asthma, obesity and kidney disease. Specific targeted areas of research also may include studies that influence health disparities such as biological (e.g., genetics, cellular, organ systems) lifestyle factors, environmental (physical and family) social (peer influences), economic, institutional and cultural and family influences. Investigators who conduct original and innovative basic laboratory, behavioral, clinical or population based research that is directed toward improving minority health, eliminating Health Disparities, or both are invited to apply to this opportunity.

An applicant may request a budget of direct costs limited to $250,000 and a project period of up to five years. Facilities and Administrative costs will be provided at the applicant organization’s negotiated rates. NCMHD anticipates making 5-8 awards in FY 2009.

Complete announcement:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MD-09-004.html

Most recent internal deadline: March 2, 2009.

Most recent external deadline: April 17, 2009.

National Insititues of Health - NHLBI - Heart Failure Clinical Research Network Regional Clinical Centers (U10) – RFA-HL-12-001

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) requests applications for participation in the continuation of the Heart Failure Clinical Research Network as a Regional Clinical Center. The original network was established to provide a mechanism to expedite clinical research that evaluates strategies to diagnose, manage and treat all forms of heart failure (HF). The renewal program will continue to provide support to develop, coordinate, and conduct multiple collaborative randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to improve HF outcomes. The focus is on small to intermediate-sized concurrent RCTs that can be completed within 2-5 years and the program is not designed to fund large, Phase III definitive studies. Proposed studies should provide clinically relevant pathophysiologic information and move the field of HF treatment forward. Regional Clinical Centers will provide scientific leadership in the collaborative development of the Network’s scientific agenda. Regional Clinical Centers may propose a structure that includes geographically or organizationally linked partners or satellites for efficient trial implementation and patient recruitment. The solicitation is open to new and currently participating centers.

The complete Funding Opportunity Announcement is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-12-001.html. In addition, NHLBI has posted a Q & A website for this RFA:  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/inits/hfclinres-faq.htm

Because NHLBI limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline. Researchers wanting to submit an application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, October 4, 2010:

1. Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
2. Participating institutions, hospitals, clinics, or satellite sites (if applicable)
3. Provide a 1-2 page overview of the team’s expertise in HF management, HF research, and record of success in previous HF clinical trials, especially enrollment and proper trial conduct

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadlines are November 1, 2010 (letter of intent) and December 1, 2010 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - High End Instrumentation and Required Information for Letter of Institutional Commitment

The NIH Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) has announced the High-End Instrumentation Grant program for major research equipment costing at least $750,000. ORIP intends to commit approximately $20 million in FY2014 to fund approximately 10-15 new awards. The NIH deadline is September 13, 2013. Complete Program Announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-101.html The guidelines require significant institutional support and the Office of the Vice President for Research must address these requests in a letter of institutional commitment.

Researchers interested in submitting a proposal to the High-End Instrumentation Grant program are asked to submit the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Friday, May 3, 2013:

• Name and department of PI
• Instrument requested and approximate cost
• Proposed user group (a minimum of 3 NIH-funded investigators is required)
• If the instrument is intended to be part of an existing service core (recharge center), identify which one; if a new recharge center is being proposed, provide proposed name and location
• A detailed financial plan for long-term operation and maintenance of the instrument. Pertinent data on user charges, salaries of technical support personnel, maintenance contracts, instrument upgrades, shop charges and other expenses should be included. Specify the sources and amounts of additional needed funds.
• Letter from the PI’s Dean indicating support for the instrumentation and the value to the College’s strategic plan/mission.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.) Potential applicants can contact the Office of the Vice President for Research to discuss financial aspects of running a cost-recovery core facility if they need more information.

To identify NIH-funded investigators, researchers may contact the Proposal Development Office (PDO@uky.edu) or search SPIFi, the database of UK funded projects (http://www.research.uky.edu/ospa/info/spifi.html).

National Institutes of Health - IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites applications for competing continuation of Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grants to independent biomedical research institutes and/or biomedical research institutions that award doctoral degrees in the health sciences or sciences related to health within IDeA-eligible states. INBRE applications must represent a collaborative effort to sponsor research with undergraduate institutions, community colleges, and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs).

For the full announcement see: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-150.html

An IDeA state is only allowed one application of the Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence. The University of Louisville will be submitting Kentucky's application for the Application Receipt Date of July 22, 2008.

The next receipt dates will be: July 22, 2009, and July 22, 2010.

National Institutes of Health - Infrastructure Support

The NIH has announced the following three funding opportunities as part of the Recovery Act Limited Competition:

• High-End Instrumentation Grant Program (S10) - PAR-09-118 - http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-118.html – application deadline May 6, 2009

• Extramural Research Facilities Improvement Program (C06) - RFA-RR-09-008 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RR-09-008.html - application deadline May 6, 2009 (projects between $2M and $5M); June 17, 2009 (projects between $10M and $15M); and July 17, 2009 (projects between $5M and $10M)

• Core Facility Renovation, Repair, and Improvement (G20) - RFA-RR-099-007 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RR-09-007.html - application deadline September 17, 2009

Most recent internal deadline: March 24. 2009.

Most recent external deadline: Varies - see above.

National Institutes of Health - NIGMS - Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (R25)

The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program provides institutional grants to research-intensive institutions that propose well-integrated developmental activities designed to increase students' academic preparation and skills that are critical to the completion of the Ph.D. degree in biomedical and behavioral sciences. The IMSD Program is sponsored by the Undergraduate and Predoctoral Training Branch of the Division of Training, Workforce Development and Diversity (TWD) of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

To accomplish specific NIGMS program objectives, the design of the proposed institutional programs should be derived from an institutional self assessment of the (a) research environment; (b) student and faculty demographics; (c) number of students that complete the Ph.D. degree; and (d) challenges/impediments that the students encounter in completing the Ph.D. degree. As a result of the self-assessment, each applicant must establish the program's goals and specific measurable objectives. Each proposed IMSD program is strongly encouraged to develop a partnership with NIH-funded T32 training program(s) to facilitate the networking and transition of IMSD students to T32 training programs as well as to identify the institutional impact of the program. The proposed IMSD research education program may complement other ongoing training programs enacted at the applicant institution but it must be distinct from those training and education programs currently receiving federal support. Total project period may not exceed five years.

Additional details and guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-082.html

Because NIH limits an institution to one proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Friday, January 25, 2013:

• The names and departments of the Project Director, evaluator, and other participating personnel
• A brief description of the proposed project (1-2 pages) including targeted students (number/undergraduate/graduate), project goals, specific measurable objectives, and proposed research education program activities

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadline is March 14, 2013.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NIDCR - Institutional Career Development Award for Enhancing Research Capacity in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Orofacial Pain (K12) PAR-11-289

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) has issued a solicitation to expand and strengthen the community of investigators engaged in research on temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs) and orofacial pain. The objectives of this FOA are to 1) increase the number of basic and clinical investigators who are trained in the sciences relevant to TMJD or orofacial pain research, 2) facilitate and improve the mentoring of this new group of scientists, 3) bring new scientific expertise to TMJD and orofacial pain research. The expected outcomes of this Initiative will be 1) an increase in the number of TMJD/orofacial pain research leaders who will apply for and obtain independent funding support, and 2) an increased number of multidisciplinary research teams led by junior investigators or, investigators new to the TMJD and orofacial pain fields. These new teams will form a robust research community applying novel approaches to TMJD and orofacial pain research that will enhance our understanding of the disorders and lead to effective treatments for patients. These new teams will thrive in academic research centers that foster an environment for developing new collaborative, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists with skills and expertise that can be applied to the most intractable topics in TMJDs and orofacial pain research

The applicant institution must have strong and high quality research programs in the area(s) proposed under this FOA and must have the requisite faculty and facilities on site to conduct the proposed institutional program. I

Guidelines and additional details:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-289.html

Because only one application per institution is allowed, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, September 27, 2012:

• Names and departments of Program Director and other key personnel
• Program overview (1 page) – provide a description of the proposed program including the long-term goals and objectives and key elements of the career development plan

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. This year’s deadline is October 12, 2012.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NINDS - Institutional Center Core Grants to Support Neuroscience Research (P30)   

UK currently has a NINDS Center Core Grant funded until 11/30/2015.  Another application is not eligible as long as the current P30 is active.

Funding Agency Deadline:  May 16, 2013

National Institutes of Health - Institutional Comparative Effectiveness Research Mentored Career Development Award (KM1)

The NIH invites applications from research-intensive institutions to support mentored career development in support of comparative effectiveness research in an interdisciplinary environment catering to the needs of diverse populations of scholars including (but not limited to) those with backgrounds in biostatistics, epidemiology, health economics, pharmacology, medicine, and dentistry. Scholars should be encouraged to register for higher degrees, where appropriate. Successful applicant institutions will be expected to include course development work in their proposal and make provision for expanding the pool of experienced CER mentors. This FOA is responsive to the NIH mission to build capacity in critical research areas (http://www.nih.gov/about/index.html#mission). The NIH intends to commit up to $25,000,000 for this FOA. It is anticipated that eight to 10 awards will be made for fiscal year 2010; total costs are limited to $2,500,000 throughout the project period. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed three (3) years.

See complete RFA for details:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-10-011.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in responding to this solicitation are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Friday, February 12, 2010:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and Program Faculty
• Narrative (2 pages) – provide a brief description of the proposed career development program including the doctoral level and number of planned scholars, course work, and research opportunities with specific faculty.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the March 25, 2010 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NICHD - Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in Reproductive, Perinatal, and Pediatric Epidemiology

Executive Summary

• The NICHD Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in Reproductive, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology supports broad and fundamental, early stage graduate research training in reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology via institutional training grants.
• Because the nature and scope of the proposed research training will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards made will depend upon the number, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.
• This PA will use the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) mechanism (T32) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-109.html.
• Only domestic, non-profit, public or private institutions may apply for grants to support research-training programs.
• Eligible Training Program Directors include any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed predoctoral training program in reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology. Training Program Directors should have a strong track record in epidemiologic research applied to reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric issues, in graduate research training, and in the scientific and administrative leadership essential to the development of the proposed training program.
• An eligible institution may submit only a single application and may only have a single training program supported by this funding opportunity.

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-130.html

National Institutes of Health - Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards (IRACDA) (K12)

The purpose of the Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) Program is to develop a diverse group of highly trained biomedical and behavioral scientists who are available to work on NIH-funded research and to address the nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. An IRACDA program involves a consortium of multiple institutions. The lead applicant institution must be a research-intensive institution (RII), and it must serve as the primary site of the postdoctoral research experience. The consortium must include one or more partners that are institutions which, for the purposes of this FOA, are defined as public or private nonprofit universities, two-year or four-year colleges or universities, offering associate and/or baccalaureate degrees with a historical mission and a demonstrated commitment to the training and encouragement of, and assistance to students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise of the nation.

Applicant institutions have wide latitude in the design of the program. However, career development activities, which should last two to four years, must include the following three components:

• A mentored research experience that is typical of other competitive postdoctoral opportunities.
• A mentored teaching experience, the practicum of which will take place at a partner institution. Approximately 25% of the effort must be spent on this activity, the timing of which may be flexible over the duration of the award. The activity must emphasize modern pedagogy.
• Other mentored and/or didactic experiences to improve academic skills (e.g., problem-solving, communication, time management, and grant writing, etc.) and provide career development opportunities that are deemed important for an individual to prosper in an academic environment.

The Program must have a strong research base, comprised of established scientists who will provide expertise, resources, and mentoring to the IRACDA scholars. Faculty research mentors must have active, externally funded research projects relevant to the mission of NIGMS (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/About/) and track records in mentoring and training students and postdoctoral researchers.

Guidelines and additional details:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-12-245.html

Because only one application per institution is allowed, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, August 28, 2012:

• Names and departments of Program Director and mentors
• Participating partner institution(s)
• Program overview (1-2 pages) – describe the immediate and long-term program objectives and proposed training or career development activities

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NIH deadline is September 24, 2012. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Institutional Research Training Grants for Statistical Genetics and Genome Informatics

The NEI Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) for Statistical Genetics and Genome Informatics is a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award program that is intended to support predoctoral and postdoctoral training at institutions having the potential to develop meritorious training programs in genomic medicine, computational genomics, and statistical genetics. The goal of this program is to initiate a training program to develop ophthalmic statistical genetics and bioinformatics research skills critical for investigators seeking to identify genes and genetic variations underlying ocular diseases.

Awards are expected to be up to $300,000 annual direct costs. Grants may be for project periods up to five years in duration.

The applicant institution must have a strong and high quality research program in statistical genetics and genome informatics and must have the requisite staff and facilities to conduct the proposed research training program. An eligible institution (e.g. a university) may only submit a single application in response to this funding opportunity and may only have a single training program supported by this FOA at one time.

Guidelines and additional information:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EY-10-001.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in responding to this solicitation are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, March 1, 2010:

• Names and departments of Project Director and mentors

• Narrative (4 pages) – describe the research training program, evaluation plan, and tracking component

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the May 18, 2010 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health -NLM - Institutional Training Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics (T-15) – RFA-LM-11-001

The National Library of Medicine invites training grant applications for support of predoctoral and postdoctoral training for research careers in biomedical informatics. The emphasis in this program is on the development of new knowledge that advances informatics as a scientific discipline.

NLM has not endorsed a single approach or curriculum for research training in biomedical informatics, or a preferred career path after training. The proposed training in a required core curriculum should include informatics principles and concepts, quantitative methods, such as biostatistics and applied mathematics, and concepts of computer science, engineering, information sciences and/or other relevant fields. This core curriculum should be supplemented by other courses and research experience in one or more application domains so that trainees should acquire an appropriate depth of knowledge to pursue meaningful research.

Applicants may propose training tracks in one or more basic programs for research training in informatics. Basic informatics training areas:

• Health care/clinical informatics (HC): Applications of informatics principles and methods to direct patient care, such as advanced clinical decision support systems and multimedia electronic health records, to the provision of informational support to health care consumers. Special tracks might be offered for nursing informatics, dental informatics, imaging informatics, or other appropriate clinical themes.
• Translational bioinformatics (TB): Applications of informatics principles and methods to support 'bench to bedside to practice' translational research, such as genome-phenome relationships, pharmacogenomics, or personalized medicine. Special tracks might be offered in health effects of environmental factors, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), or other similar areas.
• Clinical research informatics (CR): Applications of informatics principles and methods to support basic clinical trials and comparative effectiveness research. Special tracks might be offered in areas such as biostatistics, in-silico trials, merging and mining large disparate data sets that mix images, text and data.
• Public health informatics (PH): Applications of informatics principles and methods to build integrated resources for health services research, for decision support in public health agencies, to support regional or global health research, or syndromic surveillance. Special tracks might be offered in areas such as health literacy, information design for consumers, health effects of climate change .

Guidelines and additional information are available at:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-LM-11-001.html

Because the NIH will accept only one application per institution for this program, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, March 24, 2011:

• Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel
• Specify the training area(s) (i.e., health care/clinical informatics; translational bioinformatics; clinical research informatics; or public health informatics)
• Project narrative (1-2 pages) – provide an overview of the proposed training including the immediate and long-term objectives of the program and the training or career development activities.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NIH deadlines are March 28, 2011 (optional letter of intent) and April 28, 2011 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - NICHD - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2013 (U54) RFA-HD-13-002

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invites applications for research center cooperative agreements designed to advance the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This FOA seeks applications from institutions that meet the qualifications for a multi-disciplinary program of IDD research that will include: 1) Cores that facilitate interdisciplinary and translational research in IDD, and support IDD-related projects funded by other sources; and 2) at least one specific research project related to one of five focus themes identified as an area of research need in IDD. Funds for the majority of research projects using these core facilities come from independent sources including Federal, State, and private organizations.

Applications responding to this FOA must propose a multi-disciplinary program of IDD research that includes three to six Core Components and at least one Research Component. An Administrative Core and a Clinical Translational Core are required. A minimum of five federally-funded research projects must utilize each Core, and at least one of the projects must be funded by NICHD.

See the complete announcement for additional details:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-13-002.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.eduand a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, February 18, 2013:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel

• Project description (2 pages) – a) briefly describe the central focus or major themes of the proposed center and the focus area(s) of the research component(s); b) provide a list of five federally funded research projects that will use each core, specifying the PI, grant title, and grant number for each project. Include a NICHD-funded project.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and a make recommendation. The NIH deadlines are March 9, 2013 for an optional letter of intent and April 9, 2013 for the complete application.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy - International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (ICBG)

The National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Energy invite applications for the establishment or continuation of "International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups" (ICBG) to address the interdependence of biodiversity exploration for potential applications in health and energy, with investments in research capacity that support sustainable use of these resources, the knowledge to conserve them and equitable partnership frameworks among research and development organizations in the U.S. and low and middle income countries. 

This competition continues several new emphases that began with the previous solicitation including an emphasis on microbial and marine organisms, some changes in target health areas, greater involvement of funded consortia with government contract resources, greater use of molecular and genomic tools, and the opportunity to integrate energy- related discovery research into projects.  Research and training focused on plant biodiversity continues to be of interest, especially that which may inform us regarding composition, safety and efficacy of botanicals that may be used or marketed as dietary supplements, or novel scientific analyses of plants used traditionally as medicines.

Information on the history of the ICBG program and abstracts of the current awards may be found at the following URL: http://www.fic.nih.gov/programs/research_grants/icbg/index.htm and http://www.icbg.org/index.php .

Program requirements:  Each ICBG must develop a program to advance an integrated transdisciplinary scientific program that begins with exploration and characterization of biological diversity to:

• Discover and promote development of plants, animals, and micro-organisms and their molecular constituents toward human health therapeutic agents.  While not required, an ICBG project may also incorporate microbial research toward energy applications;
• Undertake biodiversity inventory, and promote conservation and bioresource planning and policy in collaborating countries;
• Train U.S. and developing country research scientists and transfer research tools related to the scope of the work of this FOA to collaborating research institutions in the developing world;
• Establish models for ethical and practical scientific collaboration with biogenetic resources;

Composition of an International Cooperative Biodiversity Group - Groups should be multi-disciplinary, including individuals and organizations with expertise in various relevant disciplines of the biological and physical sciences, as well as areas such as economics and sociology, and may include those who have not collaborated in programs of this type in the past.  Groups will be international in scope with participation of developing country institutions to the greatest extent possible.  Since it is unlikely that all of the required capabilities will be located within one institution,  Groups likely will be multi-institutional as well.  While not mandatory, the active participation of the private sector is encouraged.  Private sector partners may include companies, large and small, non-profit drug development organizations or a combination of these.

Applicants may request a project period of up to five years and a budget for direct costs up to $600,000 per year.  Guidelines and additional information are available in the complete RFA:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-08-010.html.

Most recent internal deadline: October 16, 2008.

Most recent external deadline: November 20, 2008.

National Institute of Health - FIC - International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development Award (R25)

The NIH requests Research Education Grant (R25) applications from institutions/organizations that propose to develop masters level curricula and provide educational opportunities for developing country academics, researchers and health professionals in ethics related to performing research involving human subjects in international resource poor settings.

Applicants can request up to five years of support for up to $230,000 direct costs per year for a new application for a comprehensive masters level curriculum development and educational programs. The Project Director/Principal Investigator should have documented experience in international research ethics and be capable of providing both administrative and training leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed research education program. The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed research education project. Appropriate institutional commitment to the project includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned research education project. Descriptions of existing programs can be found on the FIC website at http://www.fic.nih.gov/grants/search/pages/awards-program-bioethics.aspx

Additional information and guidelines:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-174.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in responding to this solicitation are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, March 20, 2012:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel
• Name of the developing country site for the proposed program
• Narrative (2 pages) – provide a description of the proposed research education program, proposed participant recruitment/retention, and evaluation

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NIH deadlines are April 10, 2012 (optional letter of intent) and May 10, 2012 (complete application.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - International Tobacco and Health Research and Capacity Building Program (R01) RFA-TW-11-003

The NIH solicits collaborative research and capacity building projects that address the burden of tobacco use in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) by (1) pursuing observational, intervention and policy research of LMIC relevance and (2) building capacity in epidemiological and behavioral research, prevention, treatment, communications, implementation, health services and policy research. The level of research and research training specialization in any given project will vary based on the strengths of the particular investigators and institutions and the specific need to build capacity to support locally relevant research on tobacco control interventions. The overall intent of the program is to encourage trans-disciplinary research to the international tobacco epidemic and to reduce the global burden of morbidity and mortality caused by tobacco use. The program is designed to promote international cooperation between investigators in the U.S. or other high-income countries (HIC) pursuing research programs on tobacco control, and scientists and institutions in LMIC where tobacco consumption is a current or anticipated public health urgency. The program allows U.S. and other HIC investigators to gain expertise working under LMIC-specific conditions and strengthens the research base of the U.S. and foreign institution(s), especially those institutions in LMIC. To this end, capacity strengthening must be an integrated and significant part of the research proposal. Note that in this FOA, the term “tobacco” includes both smoked and smokeless (non-combusted) forms of tobacco.

The NIH has allocated $3.3 million in FY 2012 to fund up to 10 awards under this RFA.  An applicant may request a project period of up to five years and a budget for direct costs of up to $250,000 per year.  The complete RFA includes additional information and guidelines:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-11-003.html

Because the NIH will accept only one application per institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal competition.  Anyone wishing to submit a proposal should send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, August 11, 2011:

• Names and departments of the Project Director and participating UK researchers
• Name of the country, the collaborating institution, and contact person
• Narrative (1-2 pages) – briefly describe the proposed research and the capacity building plan and activities

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NIH deadline is September 15, 2011.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Jointly Sponsored Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences (T32) – PAR-12-084

The Jointly Sponsored NIH Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences supports broad and fundamental research training in the neurosciences via institutional NRSA research training grants (T32) at domestic institutions of higher education. Trainees appointed to this training grant are financially supported for either one or two years, during the first 2 years of their graduate research training. The primary objective is to prepare individuals for careers in neuroscience that have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation.

See the complete announcement for application guidelines:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-12-084.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to one application for this program, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications. Researchers wanting to submit an application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, February 20, 2013:

• Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
• Project Overview (1-2 pages maximum) – include
• A descriptive title of the proposed research training program
• An overview of the proposed program including – long-term goals and objectives, key elements of the research training, and projected number of trainees

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadlines are April 25, 2013 (optional letter of intent) and May 25, 2013 (full application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Leveraging Existing Health Care Networks to Transform Effectiveness Research

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) solicits grant applications for a three-year cooperative agreement from researchers with experience conducting studies within large integrated health care delivery systems to develop and support a Mental Health Research Network (MHRN).  Respondents to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will develop infrastructure that will leverage existing health care delivery systems to efficiently test the effectiveness of treatment, preventive and services interventions to improve care for people with mental disorders.  Applicants will propose a research infrastructure that demonstrates the ability to identify, recruit and enroll large patient populations into effectiveness trials, harmonize electronic medical record data across multiple integrated systems for research use, pool data for common analyses, and build capacity for the collection and storage of biologic material.  In addition, the MHRN program will conduct multi-site, collaborative, Mental Health research projects using integrated data systems, including at least one pilot intervention effectiveness study and perform short-term investigations of emerging mental health issues within health care systems.

NIMH intends to commit approximately $3.0 million in FY 2010 to fund one new grant in response to this FOA.  Budgets for total costs of up to $3,000,000 per year and a total project period of up to three years may be requested for a maximum of $9,000,000 total costs over a three-year project period.

See the RFA for additional information and details:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-10-030.html.

Because the NIMH limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications.  Researchers wanting to submit a proposal to develop and support a Mental Health Research Network are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, December 7, 2009:

• Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
• Overview of the proposed research, research infrastructure, and two individual research projects (4 pages maximum)

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant.  The individual will be notified in time for the December 11, 2009 letter of intent and January 12, 2010 complete application deadlines.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Maternal Fetal Medicine Units Network

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invites applications from investigators willing to participate with the NICHD under a cooperative agreement in an ongoing multi-center clinical program designed to investigate problems in clinical obstetrics, particularly those related to prevention of low birth weight, prematurity, and medical problems of pregnancy. The objective of this program is to facilitate resolution of these problems by establishing a network of academic centers that, by rigorous patient evaluation using common protocols, can study the required numbers of patients and can provide answers more rapidly than individual centers acting alone.

The infrastructure is set up for the ideal randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trial with the ability to follow short term (clinical effect) and long term (neurodevelopmental outcome) measures. The infrastructure is also set up for observational studies in perinatal medicine. This initiative will foster the conduct of multicenter trials in the perinatal population.

Organizations should have academically-oriented divisions of maternal fetal medicine and a minimum of 2,700 births per year with a minimum of 30 percent documented to be high risk pregnancies. A large majority of patients with obstetric complications who deliver in the MFMU must also receive prenatal care at the institution. There must be at least three full-time, board-certified in ob/gyn and maternal fetal medicine, academically oriented maternal fetal medicine subspecialists. The principal investigator should be a practicing maternal fetal medicine specialist and should describe his/her clinical, research, administrative and academic commitments. Due to the demands and nature of the MFMU, the identified Principal Investigator should not have extensive departmental duties (e.g., as Department Chairman); rather, he/she should be able to devote the required time to the development and implementation of the MFMU center. One maternal fetal medicine specialist must be designated as an alternate Principal Investigator who is able to serve in the absence of the PI. The clinical center should be located in an institution with a neonatal intensive care unit. Neonatologists should be active in clinical research and a history of collaboration between neonatology and perinatology towards excellent clinical care, database accessibility, and research productivity. An established electronic perinatal data system must be in place to collect and analyze patient information.

If the institution submits applications in response to both the Neonatal Research Network RFA (HD-10-003) and the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit funding opportunity announcement, the applicant must describe how the two research programs will be integrated.

Additional requirements and guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-10-008.html

Because NICHD limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline. Researchers wanting to submit an application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, March 16, 2010:

1. Names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
2. Provide a 1-2 page overview of a concept proposal for a project for the Material Fetal Medicine Units Network (MFMU) submission. Include hypothesis, specific aim(s), background, methods, and data analysis
3. Qualifications – (2 pages maximum) describe special or unique strengths that may be relevant to MFMU research; special administrative strengths or experience and participation in administrative aspects of clinical research; recent experience and participation in randomized clinical trials.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The individual will be notified in time for the May 1, 2010 letter of intent and June 1, 2010 complete application deadlines.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI)

The NIH invites proposals from foreign Institutions in Sub-Saharan African countries which receive PEPFAR support (http://www.pepfar.gov/countries/index.htm) and their partners to develop or expand and enhance models of medical education in Sub-Saharan Africa. These models are intended to support PEPFAR’s goal of increasing the number of new health care workers by 140,000, strengthen medical education systems in the countries in which they exist, and build clinical and research capacity in Africa as part of a retention strategy for faculty of medical schools and clinical professors. In addition, up to $3 million will be available in FY 2010 for awards, referred to as “Linked” awards in this FOA, which focus on non-communicable diseases and/or priority health areas (e.g. maternal and child health, women’s health, cardiovascular disease and stroke, injury, environmental health concerns, and mental health) related to and/or beyond HIV/AIDS; it is anticipated that up to six of these linked programmatic awards will be made starting in FY 2010. The Office of the U.S.Global AIDS Coordinator intends to provide support for five to nine PEPFAR focused awards, referred to as “Programmatic” awards in this FOA, and one Coordinating Center award starting in FY 2010, pending the number and quality of applications and availability of funds.

Eligibility:  For the Programmatic or Linked Awards: Foreign organizations (non-U.S.) based in a PEPFAR-supported Sub-Saharan African country: Angola, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. See PEPFAR Countries Information. These institutions must be public/state controlled institutions of higher education or Private Institutions of Higher Education with a medical school.

The Coordinating Center must be a U.S. public/state controlled institution of higher education or a U.S. private institution of higher education with a medical school. The Coordinating Center award is a full application that must be built on an existing partnership with organizations or institutions in PEPFAR funded Sub-Saharan African countries which are not otherwise involved in the Programmatic or Linked award applications.

Pre-requisite activities in Global Health: Institutions are eligible to apply if they can demonstrate that the applicant institution and its partners are collectively involved in a minimum of five active global health (to include PEPFAR-funded) grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or awards from the U.S. government (USG) (e.g. CDC, DOD, HRSA, NIH, USAID, and others) or non - USG funders (e.g. Wellcome Trust, Doris Duke, Gates Foundation, and others) involving low and middle income countries. At least two awards must be research or research training grants, cooperative agreements, or research contracts in Global Health areas important to the public health concerns of the applicant’s country; at least one of these awards must be from the NIH. These awards must be active on the application receipt date for this FOA. The institution may be the direct recipient of the award or may be the foreign component/subcontract on an award to another institution or be a listed collaborating site for an existing FIC research training or other capacity building award. Alternatively, if a consortium of institutions applies as partners, the institutions applying must together meet this pre-requisite (i.e. as the sum of global health awards to all the partners

Complete Guidelines - The Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) (R24) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-10-008.html

Because the NIH limits a U.S. institution to one application for a Coordinating Center, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in responding to this solicitation are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, April 7, 2010:

• Names and department of the Project Director and key personnel
• List the eligible participating African partner institution(s) in a Sub-Saharan African country which received PEPFAR support
• List five currently active global health awards that collectively involve UK and its partners (per pre-requisite activities in Global Health guidelines above)

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University submission. NIH deadlines are Letter of Intent (encouraged but not required) April 12, 2010 and full application May 12, 2010.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

National Institutes of Health - NIDA - Medications Development Centers of Excellence Cooperative Program (U54)

The National Institute on Drug Abuse solicits Specialized Center Cooperative Agreement (U54) applications to provide support for Medications Development Centers of Excellence (MDCE) with emphasis on clinical research directed towards the identification, evaluation, and development of safe and effective medications and biologics for treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). Research may focus on both currently approved or novel, investigational products. Centers may have a translational component to reinforce rationale of medications for testing.

NIDA intends to fund an estimate of 2 awards, corresponding to a total of $3M for fiscal year 2014. Future year amounts will depend on annual appropriations. A MDCE provides support for a broadly based, multidisciplinary, innovative research program consisting of related research endeavors and an associated administrative core infrastructure to ensure their effective and synergistic functioning. Each individual research component is expected to be systematically related both to some other components and to the administrative core infrastructure. Training and mentoring to enhance junior researchers' or other researchers' skills should be conducted in the context of the research.

Details and application requirements are provided in RFA-DA-14-001: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-14-004.html

Because NIH limits an institution to only one application for a MDCE, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, June 10, 2013:

• Names and departments of PI, co-investigators and key personnel
• Identify and briefly describe (1-2 pages) the research focus or theme of the proposed center, three related research projects, and the education activities

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

Deadlines:  Optional letter of intent: July 15, 2013; complete application:  August 15, 2013.

National Institutes of Health - Mendelian Disorders Genome Centers (U54) RFA-HG-10-016

NIH has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement to support efforts that aim to contribute to the discovery of the genetic basis of all Mendelian disorders and other health-related Mendelian phenotypes in human in two main ways. The first is to use genome-wide sequencing and other genomic approaches to discover the genetic variants underlying as many as possible disorders and health-related phenotypes, spanning the various Mendelian inheritance patterns, with the funds available during the funding period. The second is to build a better foundation for elucidating the genetic basis of all Mendelian disorders by 1) establishing and disseminating information about effective approaches to the identification of the causative genetic variants of Mendelian disorders, and gaining insight about the overall tractability of Mendelian disorders to state-of-the-art genomic approaches, and 2) compiling a comprehensive list of existing human samples of Mendelian disorders and other health-related Mendelian phenotypes as a public resource to help coordinate genetic variant discovery activities that will be carried out by many groups.

Details and guidelines are available in RFA-HG-10-016:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-10-016.html

Because NIH limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline. Researchers wanting to submit an application are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, January 10, 2011:

1. Program – specify Mendelian Disorders Genome Center
2. List the names and departments of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel of the project team
3. Provide a 1-2 page description of relevant past experience and an overview of a research plan to operate a state-of-the-art genome center

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. NIH deadlines are February 3, 2011 (Letter of intent) and March 3, 2011 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Millennium Promise Awards:  Non-communicable Chronic Diseases Research Training Program (NCoD) (D43)

NIH is accepting applications for an annual international training program designed to build research capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the fields related to cancer, cerebrovascular disease including stroke, lung disease including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and environmental factors including indoor air pollution, and obesity and lifestyle factors related to these conditions as well as genetics of non-communicable diseases.  The institutions applying can be domestic or foreign, but have to exhibit the ability to do such training, and must exhibit that they have existing research programs in these fields.

Each research training program application could incorporate an appropriate mix of long-, intermediate- and short-term training opportunities in a wide range of relevant disciplines and skills necessary to advance the study of chronic diseases.  It is expected that the proposed training would strengthen sustainable research and core research support capacity at the foreign site and could include advanced in-country research at the end of training.  Training may take place at the U.S. or foreign sites and training-related research should be carried out mainly in the country of the foreign institution(s).  Training is encouraged to take place at the foreign site.  While a range of short-, intermediate- and long-term training is allowable, emphasis will be on intermediate- to longer-term training, including mid-career training.  In the context of this funding announcement, “trainees” are scientists from the LMIC country identified in the application.

The applicant must have strong chronic non-communicable disease research and research-training program experience, and the requisite faculty and facilities to carry out the proposed research training activities.  The PI and/or key personnel listed on the application must be designated as the PI of at least one active (with at least 18 months of support remaining at the time of application) chronic, non-communicable disease-related research award, directly relevant to the research training proposed and, within 2 years of the award from this program, at least a portion of that research must be performed at the foreign site.  The research grants may be funded by the NIH or by other national or international organizations or foundations.  The applicant must have ongoing research in the area of science described in the application and some existing collaboration with the foreign site which can be of an educational nature.

NIH anticipates funding 7 new awards per year; total costs are up to $220,000 per year for up to 5 years.  An institution may submit only one application per year.

The application guidelines for the Millennium Promise Awards: Non-communicable Chronic Diseases Research Training Program (NCoD) (D43) contain examples of types of training that might be included and are available at:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-175.html

Because NIH limits an institution to one application per year, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process.  Individuals interested in submitting a proposal should send the following information electronically to the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, June 22, 2009:

• Descriptive title of the proposed research training
• Names and departments of the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) and other key personnel
• Curriculum vitae of the PD/PI
• Participating foreign institutions
• Project description and a justification/rationale for why the proposed project should be selected as UK's applicant (include information on the relevant existing research activity and existing collaboration with the foreign site) – maximum 3 pages

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the August 31, 2009 letter of intent and the September 29, 2009 deadline.

National Institutes of Health - NIMHD -Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (T37) – RFA-MD-13-0020

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) invites applications for the Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) awards. These awards will support programs to offer international research training opportunities at a foreign site to qualified undergraduate, post-baccalaureates or graduate students in the life, physical, or social sciences; or medical students, dental students, or students in other health-professional programs who have not yet received terminal degrees who are from groups underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences research. All trainees must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the U.S. or lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

MHIRT programs are expected to accommodate at least eight to ten students per year as the annual budget allows. At least 75 percent of a grantee's MHIRT trainees must be undergraduate students. The training should occur in a single session anticipated to be 10 to 12 weeks in duration during the summer or for one semester during an academic year. Application budgets are limited to $250,000 in annual direct costs, with a maximum project period of five years.

Guidelines and additional details are provided in the complete solicitation:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MD-13-002.html

Because the NIH limits an institution to one proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, February 12, 2013:

• The names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel
• A project overview (1-2 pages):  title of proposed research training program, specific location, anticipated number and academic level of students, and description of proposed training program including objectives and activities.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. The NIH deadlines are February 20, 2013 for an optional letter of intent and March 20, 2013 for the complete application.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Institutes of Health - Molecular Therapy Core Center

Executive Summary

• The Molecular Therapy Core Center Program is designed to provide shared resources to support research to develop and test new molecular therapies for CF and other genetic diseases of interest to NIDDK.  Core Centers should enhance the efficiency and foster collaborations within and among institutions with a strong existing base of funded research relevant to gene transfer and gene correction technologies. 
• The NIDDK intends to commit $2,000,000 in FY 2008 and $2,000,000 in FY 2009 to this RFA.
• The NIDDK anticipates issuing 4 awards.
• This RFA will use the NIH core center research grant (P30) award mechanism.
• Eligible organizations include for Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; and Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education.
• Eligible principal investigators include any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research.
• Applicant organizations may submit only one application to this RFA.

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-07-010.html

More information on UK's submission will be announced at a later date.

National Institutes of Health - Multidisciplinary K12 Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development

Executive Summary

• The purpose of this opportunity is to solicit applications to support institutional career development programs in urological research that will assist MDs, PhDs, and MD/PhDs interested in benign urological disease or urological research related to the mission of the NIDDK (http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/Research/ScientificAreas/Urology/) to develop the skills necessary to initiate and sustain an independent research career in urological research.
• Approximately $2 million is anticipated to be available to support this initial effort.
• As many as three awards may be made; if funds are available and there is sufficient interest, this funding opportunity may be announced again in coming years.
• This opportunity uses the K12 mentored career development mechanism to allow institutions to provide comprehensive, individualized career development training for selected candidates.  The training will prepare the candidate for an independent clinical, translational, or basic science career in urological research.
• Eligible organizations include: Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education, Private Institution of Higher Education, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education), For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business), State Government, U.S. Territory or Possession, Hispanic-serving Institution, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
• Eligible principal investigators include established researchers in urological research related to the mission of the NIDDK (http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/Research/ScientificAreas/Urology/) who can provide both administrative and scientific leadership to the Program.
• Applicant institutions may submit only one application.

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-07-006.html

An Internal Competition will be announced closer to the due date.