Biotechnology Grants

Bioscience Technology Platform Grants

Call for applications
Provision of support to research career development in biocenters

Background: In the memorandum “Restructuring and Development of Biosciences in Finland” research career development is recognized as one of the key areas requiring support from Biocenter Finland funds. The transition from the first principal investigator (group leader) position (such as the five-year Academy Research Fellow position) to a position that requires financial commitment from the organization and permits a successful principal investigator to continue his/her work is seen as the greatest challenge in research career development in Finland.
Based on the recommendations in the memorandum, Biocenter Finland proposes to address this issue by its program for personalized support to research career development in biosciences. The second purpose of the program is to strengthen the infrastructures and technology platforms of Biocenter Finland.

Description of the programme:
Two types of research career schemes can be funded.

(1) Biocenter Finland can support talented young principal investigators with excellent track records whose fixed-term appointments (e.g. Academy Research Fellows or equivalent positions) are coming to their end. The partner biocenters are invited to identify and propose qualifying individuals to the Board of Biocenter Finland for shared funding of the principal investigator’s salary for a period up to December 2012. Typically, Biocenter Finland can cover up to 50% of the individual’s salary for the appointment period. As the focus of Biocenter Finland funding schemes is on infrastructure networks and technology platforms, it is important that individuals to be funded can clearly demonstrate this aspect in their current and future career. The applicant biocenter should also clearly describe how the candidate’s proposed research will integrate to the existing technology platforms receiving funding from Biocenter Finland or help establish a new emerging technology area, and confirm that the rest of the investigator’s salary is secured from other sources.

(2) Funding can also be applied for recruitment of scientists living abroad to bring expertise in novel technologies to Finland in key areas where gaps in expertise currently exist. In these cases, 50-100% coverage of the person’s salary and a relevant start-up package for the first 2 years may be provided. To ensure that the required working environment is available, also these proposals should be submitted by the partner biocenters.

Schedule: Biocenter Finland can currently commit to funding of research career development up to Dec 31, 2012 only. The requested funding period can start on 1st November, 2010, or any time thereafter. The call is open immediately, and the application deadline is August 31st, 2010.

Instructions for applicants: Biocenter is the official applicant, and each application should be signed both by the director of the biocenter and the person for whom the funding is intended. If you are interested in this funding scheme, please first contact the director of the appropriate biocenter (see the list of biocentershttp://www.biocenter.fi/index2.html ).

Include the following documents:

1) The application should include a signed cover letter (one page maximum) stating the period of funding, the percentage applied from Biocenter Finland, and the estimated total salary. The letter should also confirm that the rest of the investigator’s salary is secured from the biocenter or other sources.

2) A statement from the host biocenter describing how the candidate’s proposed research will integrate to the existing technology platforms receiving funding from Biocenter Finland or help establish a new emerging technology area (max. 1 page).

3) Curriculum vitae of the applicant (max 3 pages), which clearly shows how the applicant fulfills the criteria for this funding program.

4) List of publications (include max. 25 publications, which can also include patents or patent applications).

5) Research plan of the applicant (max. 5 pages). Include the documents described above, in the order specified, combined into a single pdf file.

The applications are to be submitted to bf-biocenter (at) helsinki.fi, by August 31st, 2010, before midnight.

PhRMA Foundation Research Starter Grants in Pharmaceutics

Application Deadline : 10-01-2010

The purpose of the PhRMA Foundation Research Starter Grants is to offer financial support to individuals beginning their independent research careers at the faculty level. The areas of interest within this program are research efforts in the fields of pharmaceutics. The program provides a research grant of $60,000 for one year.

Research projects that extend or develop the proprietary value of specific drug products are not acceptable in this program. This exclusion does not preclude research in which specific drug products are used to test hypotheses that have a general applicability.

For the purposes of this program, pharmaceutics includes basic pharmaceutics, biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical technology and pharmaceutical biotechnology. The fundamental aspects of pharmacokinetics are not included since they are covered by PhRMA Foundation programs in pharmacology and toxicology. It is anticipated that this research experience will occur in an academic and/or industrial laboratory setting.

The "starter" aspect of the program strives to assist those individuals who are establishing careers as independent investigators in the fields listed above. The program is not offered as a means to augment an ongoing research effort. Nor is the grant intended to be used for any direct effort to obtain further extramural funding. The funds are to be used to conduct the proposed research. This program supports individuals beginning independent research careers in academia who do not have other substantial sources of funding.

Funds are generally unrestricted, with flexibility of use - a characteristic of the program. In an effort to gain the maximum usefulness, some guidelines are in order. The funds may not be used for salary support of the grantee, but may be used to support technical assistance. No more than $500 a year may be used for travel to professional meetings by the grantee. Indirect costs are not provided to the institution, and grant funds may not be used for this purpose. These funds are not transferrable.

Applications, however good, which do not meet the aims of the program will be disapproved.

Eligibility

Those holding the academic, tenure track, rank of instructor or assistant professor and investigators at the doctoral level with equivalent positions are eligible to apply for these research starter grants, providing their proposed research is neither directly nor indirectly subsidized to any significant degree by an extramural support mechanism. Individuals holding non-tenure track positions, such as Research Assistant Professor or Visiting Assistant Professor, are not eligible to apply. The program is not intended for those in postdoctoral training programs. However, individuals in postdoctoral training scheduled to conclude, and who will hold an academic appointment, by January 1, 2011 may apply. Applicants must be sponsored by the department or unit within which the proposed research is to be undertaken. The grant is made to the university on behalf of the applicant and with the understanding that the university will administer the funds. Only schools of pharmacy are eligible for this award.

Applications must be submitted by a school of pharmacy accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, and all applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applications are to be submitted via the Foundation website and received by October 1, 2010. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline date.

Applicants will be judged on the scientific worthiness of the proposed research, and on the degree of need. If support is obtained after the application has been submitted, the Foundation must be so informed.

Before an individual is eligible to apply for a PhRMA Foundation award, the applicant must first have a firm commitment from a U.S. university.

These grants will begin on January 1, 2011 for a period of 1 year.

PhRMA Foundation
950 F Street, N.W. Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004

Phone: 202-572-7756 Fax: 202-572-7799

Conference Student Scholarships: Evolving Approaches to Early Stage Drug Discovery

Scholarship Deadline: December 2, 2010 (Midnight US Mountain Standard Time)

This meeting will cover multiple aspects of the challenges and opportunities facing drug discovery scientists. These challenges include: 1) diverse approaches to early stage discovery in a resource constrained environment, 2) evolution of preclinical drug discovery in academia, 3) evolution of drug leads/target validation from the NIH (MLPCN), 4) funding early stage/risky programs, 5) external licensing of programs and 6) advances in biomarkers/imaging to enable target selection and rapid go/no go decisions. The meeting goals are to bring together experts in all of these areas, present findings/opinions and initiate dialog on these topics. This would be the first meeting to bring together drug discovery scientists form big Pharma, biotech, academia, the MLPCN and Foundations – each with unique missions and approaches and share their respective experiences.

Keystone Symposia is offering scholarships to students and post-docs this conference season. These scholarships, of up to $1000 each, are to be used to help defray the expenses associated with conference attendance, including air (on a U.S. air carrier), ground transportation and lodging costs. Receipts will be required to receive reimbursement.

Abstracts submitted for poster presentation will be used as the basis for awarding the scholarships. Conference organizers will select the scholarship recipients based on the quality of science of the abstract and the relevance of the abstract to the conference topic. Only one application per abstract is accepted.

Keystone Symposia
221 Summit Place #272
PO Box 1630
Silverthorne, CO 80498
www.keystonesymposia.org

Financial Assistance / Student Scholarships
Phone: +1 (800) 253-0685 or
Ksenia Shambarger - +1 (970) 262-1230 extension 140
Fax: +1 (970) 262-0311

Request for Proposals: Novel Approaches to Drug Discovery for Alzheimer’s Disease

ADDF funds drug discovery research programs from domestic and international investigators in academia and biotechnology companies. In addition, ADDF initiates, sponsors, and co-sponsors conferences to stimulate new ideas and approaches in areas of interest to the Foundation, bringing together physicians, scientists, and policy makers worldwide.

As a biomedical venture philanthropy, ADDF seeks to fill the critical translational funding gap between basic research and later stage drug development. We fund high risk, early stage drug discovery and development projects and catalyze scientists to enter the drug discovery field. We have adapted the operating model and principles of venture capital investing to our philanthropic mission in biomedical research. We help to create new biotechnology companies, and to fund early stage biotechnology companies, with programs dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery. We seek a return on investment for all of our grants based on the achievement of scientific milestones. When these milestones are met, funds return to the Foundation to increase our ability to support more research.

ADDF FUNDING PROGRAMS
• ADDF Academic Drug Discovery and Development Program seeks to create and support innovative translational programs for Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and cognitive aging in academic medical centers and universities. Biomarker development studies and innovative proof of concept pilot clinical trials of new approaches to treatment, prevention and early detection are also supported.

• ADDF Biotechnology Development Program supports qualified scientific projects in existing, private, early-stage biotechnology companies. ADDF will provide support for qualified projects in more advanced companies if a clear need for non-profit funding to support the project can be demonstrated and justified.

• ADDF Biotechnology Founders Technology Transfer Program supports academic programs that are eligible for technology transfer and the start-up of new biotechnology companies. Up to 35% of funds from these awards may be employed for expenses related to company formation, such as administrative, legal, patent and third-party vendor costs.

RESEARCH FUNDING PRIORITIES
• Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive aging: ADDF supports drug discovery and drug development efforts towards novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and cognitive decline associated with aging. These may include disease modifying agents for preventing or delaying progression as well as cognitive enhancers. ADDF provides funding for target validation and proof-of-concept studies, high throughput screening of chemical libraries, lead discovery and optimization, rational medicinal chemistry, and pre-clinical drug development. ADDF also supports small proof-of principle clinical research studies.

• Early detection and prevention: ADDF supports the development of biomarkers, such as advanced brain imaging technologies, CSF and blood tests for the early detection of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADDF also supports clinical research projects to improve early detection of cognitive impairment through population-based approaches that can impact large numbers of individuals at risk.

GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Grant applications are usually solicited by private invitation. Unsolicited proposals are also accepted, but inquiries with ADDF staff are encouraged to determine the Foundation’s interest prior to application. ADDF provides support for 1 year of research with potential for future follow-on funding. We seek successful long-term partnerships with investigators and research organizations.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Full application guidelines and further information can be found on our website (www.alzdiscovery.org). All applicants are required to complete an electronic "Letter of Intent" (LOI) available on our website. After review of the LOI, we may invite a full application via email with a link to the electronic application form. ADDF will attempt to make a determination of interest within 90 days of receipt of the application.

ADDF accepts grant applications for the “General Request for Proposals” research award programs throughout the year (2010 deadlines for full proposals are January 7, April 1, July 1, and October 1).

If you would like to contact the Foundation, please call (212) 935-2402, or contact us by regular mail at the following address:

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
1414 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1502
New York, NY 10019

Promega Biotechnology Research Award

Honors outstanding contributions to the application of biotechnology through fundamental microbiological research and development.

Eligibility:
A nomination can be a single exceptionally significant achievement or the aggregate of a number of exemplary achievements.

Award:
A cash prize of $5,000, a commemorative piece, and travel to the ASM General Meeting where the laureate delivers the Promega Biotechnology Research Award Lecture.

Deadline: October 1.

Nominations:
Nominations will be considered without updating for three years. Self-nominations, co-nominations, and more than one nomination per nominee will not be accepted. Only one nominating form and two supporting forms are accepted per nomination. The two supporters must be persons other than the nominator who are familiar with the nominee's qualifications and accomplishments. Only one of the three individuals involved in the nomination may be employed at the nominee's institution. The nominator and supporters must not share employers. Nominations must consist of the following:

* Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications, emailed to awards@asmusa.org
* Nominating form
* Supporting form

ASM Awards are granted at the discretion of award selection committees and may not be awarded every year.

Sponsor: Promega Corporation

American Society for Microbiology
1752 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-2904
(202) 737-3600