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
