Pilot Studies Grants

Clinical Research Awards for Neurofibromatosis: Request for Letters of Intent

The Children’s Tumor Foundation announces a call for Letters of Intent for Clinical Research Awards of up to $100,000. Clinical Research Awards seeks broad-thinking novel ideas to conduct pilot clinical trials of candidate therapeutics for the treatment of tumors and other manifestations of NF1, NF2 and schwannomatosis; OR innovative studies ancillary or adjunct to clinical trials that - if successful - will contribute to the advancement of effective clinical therapies for neurofibromatosis.

Examples of projects encouraged may include but are not limited to:
- Biomarker studies adjunct to an ongoing clinical trial (may be e.g. molecular, imaging or genetic biomarkers, or other novel outcome parameters) that may better inform on and ultimately help accelerate a clinical trial.
- Preclinical/clinical collaborative studies (‘clinical co-trials’). Note however that all studies must include a clinical element – preclinical-only studies are not eligible.
- Applications to fund pilot neurofibromatosis clinical trials are welcomed an encouraged.

It is anticipated that CTF will fund up to four Clinical Research Awards of up to $100,000 (including overheads/indirect costs).

Application Process and Timeline
LOI’s due: September 15, 2010
Applicants notified: October 4, 2010

Successful LOIs will be invited to submit a full application.

Full applications due: November 15, 2010
Applicants notified: Mid-December 2010
Funding commences as early as: January 2011

Before submitting your LOI, you are strongly encouraged to contact me to discuss your idea.

Kim Hunter-Schaedle, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
Children's Tumor Foundation
Khunter-schaedle@ctf.org
Tel: 212-344-6633 x231

Call for Proposals: Interstitial Cystitis Association Pilot Research Program

Due Date September 30, 2010

The ICA Pilot Research Program began in 1985 and remains the first and only IC-dedicated research program funded by a non-profit, patient association. To date, the ICA Pilot Research Program has funded over 70 projects, totaling more than $1 million. Donations for this research program are collected through the IMAGINE NO IC campaign.

Often scientists with novel IC research proposals are unable to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) because they lack the preliminary data required for NIH grant approval. That’s where the ICA Pilot Research Program comes in—we provide researchers with the initial grant monies needed to get their projects literally "off the ground." The ICA Pilot Research Program, funded largely by ICA patient contributions, has "opened the door" for many researchers and enabled them to obtain large government grants to further pursue their explorations into the causes and treatments of IC.

Research areas of interest:

State of the science conference: Convene experts to examine and document the state of current research on IC; identify pending research questions; develop a roadmap for finding the cause of IC; draft proposed paths for obtaining answers to looming questions; and provide a list individuals most qualified to help discover answers. In addition to a written report, a graphical model charting progress and gaps is required. For example, see www.acceleratedcure.org for a model being used in multiple sclerosis to vet promising research efforts and organize findings from multiple research teams to create a bigger picture of what the findings mean and what direction those results indicate should be taken.

Epidemiology of the disease: Special interest in studies on the burden of disease
Etiology of interstitial cystitis
Serum or urine markers
Potential IC treatment modalities
Neurophysiology
Pain management
Pregnancy and IC

There are no standardized application forms to fill out. To apply submit two (2) PDFs including:

PDF #1: Proposal (we urge you to keep your proposal as concise as possible)
Cover sheet listing the researcher’s full contact address (name, academic degree, full address with zip, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address for principal investigator)
Title of proposed project and abstract
Research hypothesis or conference theme
Proposed methodology or conference proposed conference logistics
Estimated time required to complete project (one year maximum)
Short-version curriculum vitae of principal researchers
List of funding sources for current research projects, including those ongoing or completed in the last 3 years
List of other grants expected in the near future, with funding sources and titles
Detailed budget (The use of award funds is restricted to research based on the purposes and methodology outlined in the application. No funds may be used toward administrative overhead costs.)

PDF #2: Relevant articles
Provide no more than three (3) articles recently published in the peer-reviewed literature.

Submit the PDFs in one email to research@ichelp.org no later than September 30, 2010. The date stamp of the email will determine timeliness of submission. An email will be sent acknowledging receipt of your proposal. Review is tentatively scheduled for six to eight weeks following receipt of proposals.

Scientific Advisory Board
A committee comprised of members of the ICA Medical Advisory Board reviews all grant applications. Board members of this ad hoc Grant Review Committee are selected based on the pool of applications received and area of expertise.

Process for Determination of Funding
Grant Review Committee members evaluate applications independently and submit their evaluation and feedback. The committee then meets as a whole and discusses all proposals weighing scientific merit, potential advancement for the field, relevance for those affected by IC, quality of the application, and costs.

Grants are classified into three groups: Yes, No, Maybe (pending resubmission of grant). Applicants of grants classified as “Maybe” are asked to address limitations of their application and offered the opportunity to resubmit with a revised cost proposal. All resubmitted applications are reviewed by the grant committee and reclassified as Yes or No decisions.

Award Decisions
All applicants will be informed by email regarding grant decisions.

An initial payment of 50% of the total grant is made upon award. Upon receipt, review and approval of the final report by the review committee, a check for the remaining 50% of the grant is issued. Failure to complete the project and submit the final report within one year of receipt of initial payment will require that you repay the full amount initially received.

Post-award Requirements: Scientific, Lay and Budget Reports
Three reports are due no later than one year from the date of the initial payment:

Final Scientific Report: A final report outlining the results of the project is required. Researchers are also required to credit the ICA for support of the research where appropriate and participate in scientific and patient meetings to discuss the research if requested and whenever possible.
Lay Report: A short, one paragraph description of the salient findings in plain language (6 to 8th grade reading level) is also required for posting on the ICA website and distribution to the donors who made this award possible.
Budget Report: An accounting for use of all funds. Awardees are required to return unused funds.

Final Payment
After scientific and cost review of three final reports, final payment will be made.

Researchers who receive a larger grant (such as one from the NIH) to fund the same type of research described in the proposal to the ICA, are required to inform the ICA of this news and agree to waive the final payment of the grant. In that event, researchers are required to provide the ICA with a report on the part of the research funded by the ICA.

If you have any further questions, please contact the ICA at research@ichelp.org.

Interstitial Cystitis Association
100 Park Avenue, Suite 108-A, Rockville, MD 20850
icamail@ichelp.org

Alzheimer's Disease Research Awards Program

The ADR program offers three types of awards:

Standard Awards
Award Amount: $400,000
Duration: 3 yrs
Deadline for full application submission: October 19, 2010
The standard award provides significant funding for researchers who have already generated some amount of preliminary data, but often still require significant progress before they can apply to governmental or industrial funding agencies.

Pilot Awards
Award Amount: $150,000
Duration: 2 Yrs
Deadline for full application submission: October 19, 2010
Pilot awards are designed to take a highly innovative proposal with modest preliminary data and give investigators the opportunity to prove their ideas. These awards are typically described as being ‘high risk – high reward’. They are often given to investigators who need funding to demonstrate the validity of a very focused hypothesis.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards
Award Amount: $100,000
Duration: 2 yrs
Deadline for full application submission: October 19, 2010

Postdoctoral fellowship awards are intended for young researchers in their final stages of mentored training. These awards are meant to fund projects in an established laboratory that will serve as the basis for the applicant's own independent research career.

American Health Assistance Foundation
22512 Gateway Center Drive
Clarksburg, Maryland 20871
USA

Phone/Fax
Telephone: 1-800-437-2423
FAX: (301) 258-9454

Research Grants
Guy Eakin, Ph.D., Vice President of Scientific Affairs: vpsa@ahaf.org

Diane Bovenkamp, Ph.D., Science Communications Specialist: dbovenkamp@ahaf.org

Kara Hurst, Grants Coordinator: khurst@ahaf.org

Pediatric Radiology Pilot Award

In response to surveys of the membership, surveys of past grant recipients and SPR Board discussions, in February 2010, the SPR Research and Education Foundation established the Pediatric Radiology Pilot award.

This new grant award is designed to provide a higher level of support for pediatric radiology-related projects of merit.

* This grant can be used to fund protected time.
* Amount – up to $50,000.
* Funding will be based on merit, including expertise and available resources, but should also endeavor to focus on unique aspects of imaging or image-guided therapy/intervention in children, promote the importance of imaging or imaging expertise in improving health care in children, embrace broader cross boundary impact, including public policy or translational medicine, cultivate multidisciplinary cooperation, and provide opportunities for additional funding

The annual grant deadline is March 15.

Society for Pediatric Radiology
1891 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191

703-648-0680
SPR@acr.org

Center for High-Throughput Minimally-Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry Request for Pilot Project Proposals

We are seeking research applications for pilot project funding relating to high-throughput minimally-invasive radiation biodosimetry. The projects will be part of a joint NIH-funded program involving Columbia University, Georgetown University, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Translational Genomics Research Institute, New York University, and University of Bern.

We currently support biodosimetry projects using cytogenetic, gene expression, and metabolomic endpoints and we are looking for biodosimetry-oriented pilot projects which will either complement these areas, or open up new research avenues. The projects can be biologically- or physically-based, but must ultimately be directed towards practical high-throughput radiation biodosimetry or dosimetry, after external photon or neutron exposure, or internal radiation exposure. Innovative proposals for testing new concepts are encouraged.

Each pilot project will be of limited duration (up to two years) and of limited budget (up to $75,000 direct costs/year/project). The maximum individual award is $100K per year total costs.

The application due date is September 30, 2010, with a projected start date December 1, 2010.

Please address technical inquiries to the PI, David J. Brenner. Administrative questions and applications should be addressed to Lilian Oling.

Regenesis Biomedical – Wound, Ostomy Continence Nurses Society Center for Clinical Investigation Grant for Slow Healing Wounds

The Center for Clinical Investigation (CCI) of the Wound, Ostomy Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society provides funding for research grants for Society members annually. The grants are funded through the generosity of WOCN Society’s corporate partners and WOCN Society members. The CCI expands the existing research base for WOC nursing practice and facilitates WOC nurses to develop their roles as clinical investigators through funded research projects.

The CCI is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for 2011 grants. If you are an RN and a member of the WOCN Society, you are eligible to apply.

The grant application proposal will be available on the WOCN Society website http://www.wocn.org/Research_and_Funding/, and the submission deadline is January 31, 2011.

$5,000 for one grant
Grant Priorities: wounds that has not progressed satisfactorily in healing after 30 days of treatment

* Describe the characteristics of outpatients who have these wounds, signs and symptoms of these wounds, such as pain, edema, healing rate
* Determine risks for these wounds, factors that promote healing; may include evaluation of failed treatments and patient satisfaction with care
* Characterize quality of life and other impact of these wounds, including emotional well-being, functional activities, and role functions; comparison before and after progress toward healing is made are also of interest
* Pilot studies of comparisons between treatments* for achieving progress in healing; rate of healing, economics, quality of life, and patient satisfaction can be outcomes

* Treatment comparisons should include pulsed radio frequency
Eligibility and Terms

Eligibility requirements for application submission:

1. Principal Investigator must be a Registered Nurse with current license but need not have a Masters or Doctoral degree.
2. Novice investigators are encouraged to team with and should identify a more experienced investigator or someone with an advanced degree as part of their research team e.g., co-investigator, project advisor/ consultant, professional mentor.
3. Must be a current member of WOCN.
4. Submit a completed research application form and research proposal.
5. Sign a research agreement (contract) if grant proposal is accepted.

Terms of the grant award include:

1. Agree not to accept duplicate funding (i.e., funding for same project by more than one grant).
2. Application to the appropriate IRB is required within 30 days of grant award notification.
3. The initial grant period and budget are for one year. A no cost extension up to one additional year may be allowed to complete the analysis and make the presentation at the national conference if progress has been satisfactory and a request is made in writing to CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION explaining the need. The request should be made at least 60 days before the end of the grant period. We recommend data collection be completed within first 12 months of the grant so that the abstract submission deadline can be met to the National WOCN conference.
4. Progress report to be submitted after the first 6-months of the grant period to the CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION; final report submitted within 30 days of completion of project.
5. CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION must be notified in writing of plans to terminate the study prior to its completion along with an explanation. Unexpended funds, due to early termination and without a no cost extension, must be returned to the WOCN Foundation via CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION. The CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION Director and Board are available for consultation to troubleshoot issues or problems related to study implementation. PIs are encouraged to use this resource.
6. Manuscript reporting findings of the primary research aims to be submitted to JWOCN for peer-review within four months of completion of the project and final report submission; manuscript may serve as the final report. Submission to JWOCN does not guarantee acceptance for publication.
7. Acknowledgment of the funding source in any and all publications, papers or posters presenting research findings.
8. Agrees to submit an abstract of findings to WOCN conference within 18 months after notification of award and agrees to presentation at WOCN conference if abstract is accepted. An accepted abstract may be selected for an oral or poster presentation.
9. The Principal Investigator is advised to consult the CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION Director regarding major changes to the research protocol after funding. The Principal Investigator should notify the CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION in writing of any major changes to the funded protocol within 30 days of the change.

Terms of the budget:

1. Up to 10% of the total budget can be used for indirect administrative costs.
2. Funds are not to be used as salary support for Principal or Co-Investigators.
3. Permission for rebudgeting greater than or equal to $500 needs to be requested from CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION in writing.
4. Grant recipients are recommended to include travel costs in the budget to attend the annual WOCN meeting to present their findings, unless provides assurance in writing to CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION that other funds are available to travel prior to the award of funds.
5. Funds in the amount of $500 will be withheld until an abstract reporting the study findings and the final report (paper) is submitted to the CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION.

Contact for Questions

Linda Dahle, Program Associate
Center for Clinical Investigation
612-625-8159
cciwocn@umn.edu

Dr. Donna Bliss, Director
Center for Clinical Investigation
bliss@umn.edu
Proposal submission address

WOCN Center for Clinical Investigation
c/o Linda Dahle
Program Associate
120-C Dinnaken Hall
925 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-625-8159 (Phone)
612-626-8886 (Fax)
dahle081@umn.edu

Molnlycke Health Care – Wound, Ostomy Continence Nurses Society Center for Clinical Investigation Grant for Critically Colonized/Infected Chronic Wounds

The Center for Clinical Investigation (CCI) of the Wound, Ostomy Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society provides funding for research grants for Society members annually. The grants are funded through the generosity of WOCN Society’s corporate partners and WOCN Society members. The CCI expands the existing research base for WOC nursing practice and facilitates WOC nurses to develop their roles as clinical investigators through funded research projects.

The CCI is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for 2011 grants. If you are an RN and a member of the WOCN Society, you are eligible to apply.

The grant application proposal will be available soon on the WOCN Society website http://www.wocn.org/Research_and_Funding/, and the submission deadline is January 31, 2011.

$10,000 for one grant
Grant priorities: critically colonized/infected chronic wounds, which can have a venous, arterial, diabetic, or pressure etiology

* Characterize the pain associated with wounds or dressing changes, effects of wound pain on quality of life or activities of daily living, and noncompliance with therapy
* Pilot interventions* to reduce pain associated with these wounds or increase compliance with therapy
* Describe patient preferences of interventions to reduce pain associated with these wounds.*

* In intervention studies involving products or product comparisons, Molnlycke products should be included.

Eligibility and Terms

Eligibility requirements for application submission:

1. Principal Investigator must be a Registered Nurse with current license but need not have a Masters or Doctoral degree.
2. Novice investigators are encouraged to team with and should identify a more experienced investigator or someone with an advanced degree as part of their research team e.g., co-investigator, project advisor/ consultant, professional mentor.
3. Must be a current member of WOCN.
4. Submit a completed research application form and research proposal.
5. Sign a research agreement (contract) if grant proposal is accepted.

Terms of the grant award include:

1. Agree not to accept duplicate funding (i.e., funding for same project by more than one grant).
2. Application to the appropriate IRB is required within 30 days of grant award notification.
3. The initial grant period and budget are for one year. A no cost extension up to one additional year may be allowed to complete the analysis and make the presentation at the national conference if progress has been satisfactory and a request is made in writing to CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION explaining the need. The request should be made at least 60 days before the end of the grant period. We recommend data collection be completed within first 12 months of the grant so that the abstract submission deadline can be met to the National WOCN conference.
4. Progress report to be submitted after the first 6-months of the grant period to the CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION; final report submitted within 30 days of completion of project.
5. CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION must be notified in writing of plans to terminate the study prior to its completion along with an explanation. Unexpended funds, due to early termination and without a no cost extension, must be returned to the WOCN Foundation via CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION. The CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION Director and Board are available for consultation to troubleshoot issues or problems related to study implementation. PIs are encouraged to use this resource.
6. Manuscript reporting findings of the primary research aims to be submitted to JWOCN for peer-review within four months of completion of the project and final report submission; manuscript may serve as the final report. Submission to JWOCN does not guarantee acceptance for publication.
7. Acknowledgment of the funding source in any and all publications, papers or posters presenting research findings.
8. Agrees to submit an abstract of findings to WOCN conference within 18 months after notification of award and agrees to presentation at WOCN conference if abstract is accepted. An accepted abstract may be selected for an oral or poster presentation.
9. The Principal Investigator is advised to consult the CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION Director regarding major changes to the research protocol after funding. The Principal Investigator should notify the CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION in writing of any major changes to the funded protocol within 30 days of the change.

Terms of the budget:

1. Up to 10% of the total budget can be used for indirect administrative costs.
2. Funds are not to be used as salary support for Principal or Co-Investigators.
3. Permission for rebudgeting greater than or equal to $500 needs to be requested from CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION in writing.
4. Grant recipients are recommended to include travel costs in the budget to attend the annual WOCN meeting to present their findings, unless provides assurance in writing to CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION that other funds are available to travel prior to the award of funds.
5. Funds in the amount of $500 will be withheld until an abstract reporting the study findings and the final report (paper) is submitted to the CENTER FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION.

Grant Writing Resources: Grant Writing and Qualitative Research series citations
Contact for Questions

Linda Dahle, Program Associate
Center for Clinical Investigation
612-625-8159
cciwocn@umn.edu

Dr. Donna Bliss, Director
Center for Clinical Investigation
bliss@umn.edu
Proposal submission address

WOCN Center for Clinical Investigation
c/o Linda Dahle
Program Associate
120-C Dinnaken Hall
925 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-625-8159 (Phone)
612-626-8886 (Fax)
dahle081@umn.edu

Alpha-1 Foundation Grant Opportunities

LETTER OF INTENT INFORMATION

Deadline for our receipt of your in-cycle LOI, Biosketch and Keyword List: September 21, 2010

The first step in the process of a grant application to the Alpha-1 Foundation is to submit an LOI, Biographical Sketch for the LOI and LOI Keyword list. All three documents must be submitted to the Foundation by September 21, 2010 in order to be invited to submit a full grant application. The submission of an LOI is required for each grant category. An applicant must submit an LOI in order to submit a grant application. A grant application that is submitted without an LOI will result in an automatic denial of funding and the application will be returned to the investigator.

For information about the Foundation’s in-cycle grant opportunities, please contact David Fernandez, Grants Coordinator, at dfernandez@alpha-1foundation.org or at 305-567-9888 ext 242.

GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

Deadline for our receipt of your in-cycle grant application: February 18, 2011

If your LOI is approved, the Alpha-1 Foundation will invite you to submit a full grant application. Please note that a LOI must be submitted, reviewed and approved prior to submitting a grant application.

For information about the Alpha-1 Foundation’s in-cycle grant application process or requirements, please contact Randel Plant, Director of Research Administration, at rplant@alpha-1foundation.org or at 305-567-9888 ext 252.

IN CYCLE RESEARCH GRANT CATEGORIES:

Bridge Grant

Funding Level: Maximum of $25,000 may be requested.

Period: Up to 1 year of support is available.

The objective of this grant is to provide support for excellent Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency-related research projects that have been submitted to and approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), but cannot be supported by the available NIH funds. Thus, this award complements the granting mechanism of the NIH for projects of potential interest to individuals served by the Alpha-1 Foundation. Funds provided by the Alpha-1 Foundation through this program are intended to lead to the development of sufficient preliminary data to make AAT-related applications highly competitive in the NIH review process. Information derived from Alpha-1 Foundation supported research studies is intended to lead to solicitation of additional, subsequent funds from other agencies such as the NIH.

Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) Related to AAT Deficiency

Funding Levels: ELSI projects may be submitted under the following grant categories: Pilot & Feasibility, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship or Research. Please see the funding levels stated above for each respective grant category.

Period: Up to 2 years of support is available, depending on the grant category in which the grant is submitted. Please see the periods stated above for each respective grant category.

The objective of this grant is to provide funds to encourage the development of new information that contributes to the understanding of bioethical, legal, economic and/or social issues associated with AAT Deficiency. Proposals may come from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including humanities, social and natural sciences, and health professions. In particular, this grant mechanism seeks to support the development of novel approaches relating to informed consent, conflicts of interest, organ allocation, genetic testing and/or genetic discrimination; however, applications may address all of the following or other related areas:

1. Surveying attitudes about genetic testing and screening; changing physician behavior and standards of care regarding testing; confidential testing; genetic counseling; public awareness and education about Alpha-1.
2. Improving the quality of life of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient patients and their families; chronic illness, terminal illness, advance CARE planning, and end of life issues; employment issues; family planning issues; investigations of the social or economic impacts of a diagnosis of AAT Deficiency including stigma post-diagnosis.
3. The provision of an informed consent associated with AAT Deficiency testing, medical treatments, participation in research, or transplantation; other issues relating to participation in clinical trials or research studies.
4. Issues relating to genetic discrimination including access to insurance coverage, social services, medical care, employment, and/or military service; the protection of confidentiality of patients and their families; legislation relating to genetic disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient individuals.
5. Equitable distribution of available medical therapies; availability and allocation of organs for transplantation associated with AAT Deficiency.
6. Intellectual property rights; ownership of tissue, organs and DNA associated with research studies and clinical trials; patents relating to genetic research.

All proposals must be hypothesis-generating or hypothesis-testing, or generate new information on conceptual topics relevant to the Foundation’s research mission. Applicants may submit this application as a Pilot and Feasibility Grant, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Grant or Research Grant. Projects submitted for Research Grant funding must provide sufficient preliminary data to justify the Foundation’s support.

Pilot and Feasibility Grant

Funding Level: Maximum of $40,000 may be requested.

Period: Up to 1 year of support is available.

The objective of this grant is to provide funds to encourage the development and testing of new hypotheses and/or new methods in research areas relevant to AAT Deficiency. Proposed work must be hypothesis generating or hypothesis testing, reflecting innovative approaches to important questions in AAT research or development of novel methods, and providing sufficient preliminary data to justify the Foundation’s support. Results from Pilot and Feasibility Grants should lead to the submission of applications for funding from other agencies (i.e. NIH). At the conclusion of the funding term, applicants are expected to apply for further funding by other mechanisms or from outside agencies. The award is not intended to support continuation of programs begun under other granting mechanisms.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Grant

Funding Level: Maximum of $35,000 per year may be requested.

Period: Up to 2 years of support is available.

The objective of this grant is to provide support for postdoctoral research fellows who are starting their research careers and are working in the laboratories of established researchers or conducting research with the mentorship of established researchers. In addition, this grant category is intended to provide support for postdoctoral research fellows who intend to purse a career in AAT research. Applications will be accepted from candidates holding an M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent degrees who are interested in conducting basic science, clinical research, or ethic, legal, social issues studies related to AAT Deficiency. Applicants must indicate a commitment to AAT-related research by focusing 50% of their time to AAT Deficiency research or clinical practice.

Research Grant

Funding Level: Maximum of $100,000 per year may be requested.

Period: Up to 2 years of support is available.

The objective of this grant is to provide funds to encourage the development of new information that contributes to the understanding of the basic biology of AAT expression, and the pathogenesis/management of AAT Deficiency. In addition, consideration will be given to those projects that provide insight into the development of information that may contribute to new therapies for AAT Deficiency. All proposals must be hypothesis generating or hypothesis testing and provide sufficient preliminary data to justify the Alpha-1 Foundation’s support.

Scientific Meeting Sponsorship Grant

Funding Level: Grants are generally funded at the $5,000 level. The funds are restricted for use during a specified period of time.

Period: Varies according to request.

The objective of this grant is to provide support for scientific meetings, workshops or conferences relevant to AAT Deficiency and the Alpha-1 Foundation’s mission statement.

Travel Grant
There are 2 types of Travel Grants:

Funding Level: Grants are generally funded at a level of $1,000. The funds are restricted for use during a specified period of time.

Period: Varies according to request.

1. The Alpha-1 Foundation provides funds to support travel to attend a scientific conference or meeting to present AAT-related abstracts or posters at national and international meetings. Candidates must have an M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent degree, and at least one year of recent research experience related to AAT Deficiency. The award is intended primarily for travel support for an award recipient. If the grant is to be used for specialized training, a letter of support for the individual must be presented, and clearly indicate the visitor’s role, time commitment and objectives for the proposed training as well as institutional commitment.

1. The Alpha-1 Foundation provides funds to support cross training at an established Alpha-1 laboratory by an established Alpha-1 investigator. Training may include training on diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, research related techniques, training on specialized equipment or software applicable to AAT-related research.

American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation 2010 Request for Proposals Clinical Trials Planning Grants

Application Postmark Deadline: December 1, 2010

The Planning Grants are funded for one year only at up to $100,000 per year, plus eight percent
indirect costs. Total costs cannot exceed $108,000.

This Request for Proposals invites applications that propose the complete planning, design, and preparation of documentation necessary for development of investigator-initiated clinical trials. This includes the establishment of the research team, the development of tools for data management and oversight of the research, the definition of recruitment strategies, and the finalization of the protocol and other essential elements of the study included in a manual of operations/procedures. The Planning Grant is not designed for the collection of preliminary data or the conduct of pilot studies to support the rationale for a clinical trial. The proposed trials must be hypothesis-driven, milestone-defined, related to the research mission of the Within Our Reach campaign and considered high priority by the Foundation. Investigators are encouraged to visit the Within Our Reach website at www.withinourreach.info for additional information about the campaign.

The goal of this funding opportunity is to develop plans for larger clinical trials, to be funded in 2012 (a separate RFP will be issued for these trials). It is expected that these clinical trials will include prospective studies designed to answer questions about biomedical or behavioral interventions, e.g., investigational drugs or investigational medical devices, or new ways of using known treatments relevant to RA. It is hoped that these trials will determine whether new biomedical or behavioral interventions are safe, efficacious, and effective.

It is expected that receipt of a Planning Grant will lead to the timely submission of an application for support of the trial, incorporating the elements developed under the Planning Grant. Prospective applicants should note that funding of a Planning Grant does not guarantee or imply funding for a subsequent application. This mechanism is designed to support planning activities in preparation for a small clinical trial, not to exceed $2.5 million in direct costs. These activities are primarily logistical, conceptual, and/or technical in nature. They do not involve the collection of data typical of research-related activities supported by previous Within Our Reach RA grants. As such, the evaluation of applications will focus on the justification of or need for the proposed trial along with the appropriateness of the proposed planning activities.

The total number of awards will depend upon the quality of the applications received; however the Foundation anticipates that approximately 3-6 planning grants will be funded, and that 1-3 trials will then be funded based on quality and breadth of the planning grants.

Planning Grants must be carried out over a one-year period. No extensions will be granted. These grants are not meant to provide support for the compression of a three to five year research project into a shorter time period or for career development or for educational activities other than planning for a clinical trial.

See the website for more information (www.withinourreach.info).

ACR Research and Education Foundation
2200 Lake Boulevard NE
Atlanta, GA 30319

Phone: (404) 633-3777
Fax: (404) 633-1870

Greenwall Foundation Bioethics Grants Program

Proposals should be submitted electronically in a single PDF document to admin@greenwall.org. In addition, three copies of the proposal should be mailed to The Greenwall Foundation, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2500, New York, New York 10170. Requests for support should include:

* Cover page, with applicant's name, institution, and contact information (mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and email address), project title, project grant period, and amount requested
* Executive Summary (one-page)
* Statement (not to exceed 8 pages single spaced) of (1) objectives and specific aims, (2) background and significance, (3) preliminary data, (4) research design -- methods and data analysis, and (5) plans for dissemination and future work
* References
* Appendices, including survey instruments, letters of support, and unpublished articles especially relevant to the work at hand.
* NIH-type curriculum vitae (not to exceed 4 pages) with statement of principal investigator's other financial support
* Summary budget (expense and income) specifying the amount requested from The Greenwall Foundation for this project - please download and use this form
* 501(c)3 tax exemption letter

The application should be in Times New Roman 12 point font. (Please note that this is larger than the NIH minimum.)

Proposal deadline  is  February 1, 2011 for the spring grant cycle

Proposals, both electronic and hard copies, must be received at The Foundation's offices by close of business (5:00 pm EST) on these dates or, should these dates fall on a weekend, on the next business day.

Applicants are encouraged to telephone The Foundation's President regarding their proposals well in advance of the application deadlines.

Applicants whose proposals are declined are customarily requested to wait a full year before submitting another proposal for consideration by The Foundation's Board.

Through its interdisciplinary program in bioethics, The Foundation provides funding for physicians, lawyers, philosophers, theologians and other professionals to address micro and macro issues in bioethics, providing guidance for those engaged in decision-making at the bedside as well as those responsible for shaping institutional and public policy.

The Foundation is especially interested in the work of junior investigators and pilot projects that may lead to NIH support, and it is prepared to address issues regarded by some as sensitive or potentially controversial.

The Foundation is not normally interested in proposals to support equipment purchase, facility construction or renovation, or general operating expenses, and will not normally consider grants to private foundations, endowment funds, or individual applicants.

Grant making in bioethics is focused on five programs: (1) research and project grants; (2) The Greenwall Faculty Scholars Program; (3) The Greenwall Fellowship Program in Bioethics and Health Policy; (4) The Oscar M Ruebhausen Visiting Professorship; and (5) The Kornfeld Program in Bioethics and Patient Care.

Effective January 1, 2012, The Foundation's grantmaking will focus on building and enriching the Greenwall Faculty Scholars Program in Bioethics. The final application cycle for the program (as presently constituted) will be spring 2011 with an application deadline of February 1, 2011.

For more informations and to discuss the implications of these changes, please contact William C. Stubing, President of The Foundation.