Grants>Molecular Genetics

Alliance for Lupus Research 2012 Grant Application Announcment

The Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) is pleased to announce that the applications for the ALR’s Functional Genomics and Molecular Genetic Pathways in SLE grants are now available online.

Research Grants: Approved grant applications will be eligible to receive a 2-year award for up to $350,000 USD (up to $175,000 USD per year for two years). Research grants must provide evidence of preliminary data.

Pilot Grants: Approved grant applications will be eligible to receive a 1-year award for up to $75,000 USD. Pilot grants are for projects that are not supported by preliminary data. Guidelines for application and submission are also available on the websites listed above.

Deadlines associated with this grant program are as follows:

Grant Applications: Due to ALR by February 15, 2012

Applications submitted should focus on two principal areas: (1) functional validation to determine which candidate genes/variants identified in human lupus have an authentic role in the disease and (2) detailed elucidation of the molecular pathways modulated by these candidate genes/variants identified in human lupus.

There are public resources available to facilitate functional validation of genes/variants involved in lupus. ALR encourages investigators to take advantage of all of these resources. All proposals submitted must be based on information in the public domain.

Responsive applications will propose research to elucidate the functional implications of the genetic variants identified in human lupus studies. Lupus-associated genes studied in animal models that are not among those also identified in human studies are not appropriate topics for this grant mechanism.

ALR will focus support on:

Human Studies: Functional validation studies could use human DNA samples from phenotypically well-characterized individuals to correlate a gene variant with a particular phenotype. Such human studies are particularly encouraged.

Genetic Models: Established genetic models as well as emerging genetic models can be used to look at in vivo gene/variant function.

RNA interference: RNAi depletion of candidate genes in cells, tissues or whole organisms can be used to identify phenotypes.

Imaging strategies: Imaging of cell trafficking in vivo might be useful in characterizing the impact of lupus-associated gene variants on immune responses or inflammation.

Systems-level approaches: Bioinformatic resources (i.e., interactome, gene expression, proteomic, metabolomic, and anatomical databases) can be mined to generate testable hypotheses concerning the function of candidate genes and groups of genes.

Cellular or circuit-level approaches: Studies might compare gene/variant functional consequences at the cellular and circuit levels, especially with respect to a drug challenge.

Epigenetics: Functional validations of epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation in the context of lupus, including potential maternal and paternal imprinting or X chromosome inactivation, are of interest.

Comparison of wild type and gene variant functions: The molecular alteration associated with a gene variant frequently does not reveal whether the function of a particular gene is increased, decreased, or leads to unexpected functional consequences. Approaches using in vivo transgenes, in vitro biochemical assays, or other validation methods that can address these issues will help to identify the most promising molecular targets for therapeutic interventions.

Identification of functionally significant sequences in disease-associated genomic regions: While some genomic regions show strong statistical association with a diagnosis of SLE, in many cases the specific sequences responsible for the association have not yet been identified. Deep sequencing approaches can be used to define the specific regulatory or coding sequences responsible for the association with SLE and their impact on cell function.

Application Requirements

Applications are open to investigators working at established research institutions (both for profit and not-for profit) as well as investigators at state health agencies, the FDA, VA and at intramural divisions of NIH. Applications may be submitted by investigators working anywhere in the world. Non-U.S. applicants whose projects involve human subjects must work at institutions that have human subjects committees that operate in a substantially similar manner to a U.S. Institutional Review Board.

If you have any questions or require any additional information regarding the application process, please contact Diomaris Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Research Administration at (212) 218-2840; 1-800-867-1743 or at research.admin@lupusresearch.org.

Call for Applications: Caltech's Amgen Scholars Program

Application, Recommendations, and Proposal Deadline: February 15, 2012

Caltech's Amgen Scholars program provides students the opportunity to conduct research in biology, chemistry, and bio-technical related fields under the guidance of seasoned research mentors. The program offers students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. a great opportunity to experience the research process.

Amgen Scholarships may be offered in the following fields: biochemistry • bioengineering • bioinformatics • chemical and biomolecular engineering • biopsychology • biotechnology • chemistry • immunology • medical pharmacology • microbiology • molecular genetics • molecular medicine • molecular pharmacology • molecular, cell, and developmental biology • neurobiology • neuroscience • pathology • physiological psychology • physiological science • statistics • toxicology

The Amgen Scholars program is modeled on the grant-seeking process:

Students collaborate with potential mentors to define and develop a project
Applicants write research proposals for their projects
A faculty committee reviews the proposals and recommends awards
Students carry out the work over a 10-week period in the summer, mid-June to late August
At the conclusion of the program, they submit a technical paper and give an oral presentation at Seminar Day, a symposium modeled on a professional technical meeting

Eligibility Statement
Amgen Scholars must

Be sophomores (with at least 4 quarters or 3 semesters of college course work), juniors, or non-graduating seniors attending 4-year colleges or universities in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territories
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2
Not be under any disciplinary sanction
Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Have an interest in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.

Students who have been an Amgen Scholar, at any U.S. site, are not eligible. Please consider applying through the Caltech SURF program.

Requirements
Upon receiving an Amgen Scholarship, students sign an agreement to fulfill the following requirements:

To conduct their research from June 18 - August 24, 2012
To devote full effort to conducting the Amgen Scholars project (Scholars are strongly discouraged from taking courses or holding a job)
To submit two progress reports signed by their mentors
To attend the mid-summer Amgen Scholars conference
To submit an abstract of their project
To submit a written technical report approved by the mentor
To give an oral presentation on one of the scheduled seminar day symposia
To attend weekly Amgen Scholar meetings
To fully participate in Amgen Scholar assessment efforts
To abide by Caltech's Honor Code

Compensation
Students receive a $5,500 stipend for the ten-week period. For information on payroll tax issues, please contact sfp@caltech.edu and we will forward your question to the Amgen Scholars payroll coordinator.

Stipend payments will be distributed in equal installments near the first business day in July and August.

Students will also receive a $1500 room and $1200 board allowance, and non-Caltech students will receive reimbursements for their travel to and from Pasadena.

Funding
Amgen Scholar stipends are funded from a generous grant from the Amgen Foundation. Mentors pay all research-related costs and provide space.

Amgen Scholar Summer Activities
To enrich the research experience, Amgen Scholars may participate in the following activities:

Amgen Scholars weekly lunch meetings to bring participants together for discussions, special programs, and to meet faculty
Weekly seminars by Caltech faculty—lunch is provided
A professional development series on developing a research career, graduate school admissions, and other topics of interest to future researchers
Social and cultural activities
Weekly small student-faculty dinners
Special field trips

Housing
Non-Caltech Amgen Scholars will live in Caltech housing during the ten-week summer period, and they can move into rooms on the first day of the summer program.

General Inquiries
amgenscholars@caltech.edu
626.395.2885

Call for Applications: 2012 National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program in the Departments of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry at the Ohio State University

The departments of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry at the Ohio State University will host a Research Experience for Undergraduates sponsored by The National Science Foundation during the summer of 2012.

Official Program Dates: June 11th through August 10th, 2012

Application Deadline: March 1st, 2012

Program Overview:

Laboratory safety training and laboratory procedure workshops
Full-time research activities
Weekly seminars and scientific meetings
Social activities

Eligibility:

U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency
Current full-time enrollment in a U.S. college or university
Completion of basic course work in chemistry, biology and physics
Persons from groups underrepresented in science are strongly encouraged to apply
Sophomores and Juniors
Seniors who will be graduating in the next academic year are also eligible
Freshmen are not eligible to apply (even those with sophomore or higher standing)

Benefits:

Stipend of $4,500
Housing in university dormitory or area apartments
Meal allowance

Students are expected to be on site full time during the program.

Call for Applications: 2012 National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program on Networked Ventures for Collaborative Biological Discovery at Wadsworth Center

The Wadsworth Center participates in summer research experiences for undergraduates. Students are selected from colleges across the country to work for 10 weeks (from early June through mid-August) on independent research projects in the laboratories of Wadsworth scientists.

The focus of the 2012 Wadsworth Center’s summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is “Networked Ventures for Collaborative Biological Discovery”. The primary objective of this program is to provide cutting-edge research experiences in collaborative scientific discovery to undergraduate students, including underrepresented minorities, to help them gain insight into how scientific research is conducted.

Students can choose either a traditional, single-mentored research project, or a networked collaborative project.

In these collaborative projects, two students are networked together with one or two mentors to tackle a common research problem. The diverse range of projects covers molecular genetics, cell biology, neuroscience, and structural, as well as, computational biology. All of these are pursued within a close-knit environment that will provide a uniquely enriching research training opportunity for undergraduates. The strength of this program is clearly delineated by the robust external research funding of mentors and the intellectual achievements and peer-reviewed publications of REU students and mentors.

Application Process

Ensure Eligibility
Applicants are sought who are undergraduates majoring either in a natural or basic science (biology, chemistry, computational modeling, genetics, mathematics), who will have completed their first, second or third year of study by the summer, and who are interested in attending graduate school with the goal of pursuing a career in science. Students graduating May 2012 are not eligible. If you meet these eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply to the program.

Send the following materials to reu@wadworth.org

In addition to the on-line application, interested students should submit directly to the Summer Undergraduate Research Program: i) a resumé, ii) official college transcripts, iii) two letters of recommendation from faculty members, and iv) a one-page summary stating both their field of interest and why they wish to participate in the Wadsworth Center's REU program. The resumé and summary statement may be submitted together as an attached pdf or word file. Recommendations from faculty or mentors may also be submitted directly to the online site.

Applications are encouraged from students attending colleges with limited research opportunities and from students who are members of groups underrepresented in the sciences, such as women, racial minorities, veterans, and the physically challenged, and who are first in their family to attend college. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and upon acceptance will receive a stipend of $4800, plus paid on-campus housing, and travel to Albany.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Wadsworth Center, Room E-275
Empire State Plaza, Box 509
Albany, NY 12201-0509
Phone: (518) 473-6961
e-mail: reu@wadsworth.org

On-line applications for the 2012 Research Experience are now being accepted, applications will continue through Monday, March 5, 2012.

Students from groups that are underrepresented in the sciences, as outlined above, are encouraged to apply.

National Rosacea Society Research Grant Program

The Society awards grants of $10,000 to $25,000 or higher in special cases for research on rosacea. Because the etiology of rosacea is unknown, high priority is given to research in such areas as the pathogenesis, progression, mechanism of action, cell biology and potential genetic factors of this conspicuous and often life-disruptive condition. Studies may also be funded in such areas as epidemiology, predisposition, quality of life and associations with environmental and lifestyle factors. Product development studies (e.g., drug or device testing), which are more appropriately funded by commercial sources, will not be considered.

The National Rosacea Society is currently accepting proposals for research grants to be awarded in 2012. Applications should be submitted by April 16, 2012.

For more information, call the Society at 847/382-8971.

American Gastroenterological Association Fellowship to Faculty Transition Awards

Two awards are made annualy to advanced fellows/trainees, to provide salary support for additional full-time research training in gastrointestinal, liver function or related diseases.

AT A GLANCE
Eligibility: Advanced Fellows
Amount/year: $40,000
Duration: Two years
Deadline: Aug. 31
Start Date: July 1

DESCRIPTION
This award provides $40,000 per year for two years (total $80,000) to current trainees in gastroenterology related fields so they may gain additional laboratory research training in gastrointestinal, liver function or related diseases.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the award is to prepare physician-scientists for independent basic science research careers in digestive diseases. The award provides salary support for additional full-time training to acquire modern laboratory skills. The additional two years of research training provided by this award should broaden and expand the scope of investigative tools available to the recipient, generally in basic science disciplines such as cell or molecular biology, genetics, immunology, virology or analogous fields.

ELIGIBILITY
Candidates for this award must hold an MD or equivalent degree (e.g. MB, ChB, MBBS, DO). Candidates must have completed at least one year of research training in their current laboratory prior to the start of this award. Candidates must have commitment from their home institution for a full-time faculty position at the time they apply for the award. The faculty position commitment, which includes instructor and junior faculty level positions, must be clearly articulated in the division chief or department chair letter (see below).

Candidates must be AGA Trainee Members and be sponsored by an AGA Member at the time of application. Please visit www.gastro.org/membership or call 301-654-2055, extension 651, for membership information.
Candidates must devote at least 70 percent effort to research related to the gastrointestinal tract or liver. Women and minority investigators are strongly encouraged to apply.

AWARD OVERLAP
At the time of application submission, candidates may not hold another award with overlapping scientific objectives. If a candidate is granted the award and notified of a comparable award on a similar topic from another agency prior to the first payment of this award, the recipient must select one of the two awards (e.g. the recipient may not retain both awards). If the recipient is notified that a comparable award has been granted after the first payment of this award, the recipient must forfeit the balance of this award.

REQUIREMENTS
Awards are made for salary support for the recipient. Indirect costs are not allowed. Candidates must demonstrate how they will obtain additional knowledge through the proposed project and how that knowledge may be used in their future research. Upon notification of receipt of this award, the recipient must provide institutional approval from the appropriate committee for use of human subjects or animals. If approval is not necessary, the recipient must provide an explanation.

Candidates are required to have a preceptor for the award. A preceptor will supervise the principal investigator’s research activities and will serve as a mentor. Candidates are also required to have a letter from their division chief or department chair stating the institution’s commitment to a faculty position.

At the end of the award, the recipient will be required to indicate how the funds were used, the accomplishments made during the project and how the additional training contributed to his/her research career development. A complete financial statement and scientific progress report are required annually and upon completion of the program. Second year funding is contingent upon submission of the required financial statements and scientific progress reports.

Annually, a one-page plain-language summary, a scientific progress report and a financial statement must be submitted by the award recipient by July 30. Second-year funding is contingent upon submission of this documentation. All publications, presentations and abstracts arising from work funded by this program must acknowledge support of the AGA Research Foundation Fellowship-to-Faculty Transition Award.

SELECTION CRITERIA
The recipients will be selected based upon the candidates’ promise for future success, feasibility and significance of the proposal, attributes of the candidates, the record and commitment of the sponsors, and the institutional and laboratory environment.

REVIEW PROCESS
A selection committee comprised of members of the AGA Research Awards Panel will review the applications and select the award recipient. Award funding will commence July 2013.

APPLICATION PROCESS
The application deadline for this award is Aug. 31. The completed application, letters of support or commitment, and other documents, as applicable, must be combined into and submitted as one PDF document. The document must be titled by the applicant’s last name and first initial only. Hard copies are not excepted. Please e-mail the application document to awards@gastro.org. The applicant's full name and project title are to be included in the submission e-mail. Please direct all questions to the Research Awards Manager via telephone at 301-222-4012 or by e-mail at awards@gastro.org.

2012 Senior Scholar in Aging Award

The Ellison Medical Foundation was established and is supported by Lawrence J. Ellison to support biomedical research (including basic biology, basic biomedicine and epidemiology) on aging. The Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar program is designed to support established investigators, working at institutions in the U.S., to conduct research in the basic biological and basic biomedical sciences relevant to understanding lifespan development processes and age-related diseases and disabilities. The award is intended to provide significant support to established investigators in order to allow the development of new, creative research programs by investigators who may not currently be conducting aging research or who may wish to develop new research programs in aging. The Foundation particularly wishes to stimulate new research, which has rigorous scientific foundations, but which may not be currently funded adequately, because of its perceived novelty, its high risk, or because it is from an area where traditional research interests absorb most funding.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to

Structural biology
Molecular genetics
Studies with model systems ranging from lower eukaryotes to humans
Inquiries testing the relevance of simpler models to human aging
Genetic epidemiology of aging; candidate longevity genes
Aging in the immune system
Host defense molecules in aging systems
Mechanisms of free radical induced cell aging
Mechanisms of aging in various differentiated cell populations
Gene/environment and gene/gene interactions
Integrative physiology
New approaches to age-modulated disease mechanisms

Eligibility

Any interested researcher may submit a Letter of Intent for the 2012 Senior Scholar in Aging award competition; however, current or past Senior Scholar Awardees are not eligible. Applicants for the Senior Scholar Award are expected to furnish evidence of substantial prior scientific creativity and productivity not necessarily targeted to aging heretofore. Evaluation by the Aging Review Group and the Scientific Advisory Board will be based upon the applicant's submission re: scientific contributions to date, the quality of publications, and the importance to aging of the proposed new research. The Aging Review Group and the Scientific Advisory Board will pay close attention to arguments as to why the work does not or would not qualify for support from established sources such as the NIA. Except for compelling circumstances, the awards are not intended to supplement ongoing, already funded programs but, instead, to inspire new directions, which may entail substantial risk. There is no limit on the number of Senior Scholar letters of intent from any one institution. Up to 25 Senior Scholar awards will be made in 2012.

Letter of Intent for Submitting an Application

Instructions and a link to submit a Letter of Intent online for the 2012 application cycle appear on the Applications and Receipt Dates page.

Letters of Intent are due by March 8, 2012 (online submissions must be completed by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).

Terms of the Award

The Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar Awards in Aging will be made in early October 2012. Each award will be made for up to $150,000 per year direct cost, plus indirect costs, for up to four years. Funding for years two, three and four is contingent upon submission of an acceptable progress report.

Acceptable uses for award funds include project-related: salaries, other personnel costs, equipment, supplies, resource acquisition and travel. Carry-overs in excess of $25,000 must be approved by the Ellison Medical Foundation Scholars Program Office. Full indirect costs at the NIH Facilities and Administration (F & A) negotiated rate will be provided. The Ellison Medical Foundation does not permit indirect costs on equipment, even for purchases less than $5,000, for initial awardee years of 2005 and later.

For all (new and non-competing renewal) awards supporting research involving human subjects, animal subjects, research collaborations with foreign institutions, biosafety issues, or embryonic stem cells the Foundation will require the following documentation before an award can be made:

Human subjects:

Copies of the protocol submitted to the Institutional Review Board(s)for this project* and the notification of protocol approval from all relevant IRBs (for funded awards an annual update will be required at the time of the progress report).
Documentation from the applicant institution that the principal investigator has completed training on the protection of human research participants.

Animal subjects:

A copy of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval for this project* (an annual update will be required at the time of each progress report).

Foreign component:

A letter of support from the collaborating in-country institution.

Biosafety:Research supported by the Ellison Medical Foundation is expected to conform to the relevant NIH Guidelines for biosafety, including those for handling of hazardous reagents and those for research involving recombinant DNA and gene transfer http://oba.od.nih.gov/rdna/nih_guidelines_oba.html .
A copy of Institutional Biosafety Committee approval for this project* .

Embryonic Stem Cell Research Committee approval of the protocol for this project* if it involves human embryonic stem cells.

* Approval for this project means the EMF funded project, not a similar protocol funded by some other entity.

For further information, contact:

Richard L. Sprott, Ph.D.
Executive Director
The Ellison Medical Foundation
4710 Bethesda Avenue
Suite 204
Bethesda, MD 20814-5226
(301) 657-1830 (Phone)
(301) 657-1828 (Fax)
rsprott@ellisonfoundation.org