Vanderbilt Diabetes Center Discovery Program Grant
Covers diabetes and/or obesity-related pilot studies that utilize high-throughput
facility, BioVU, the Mass Spectrometry Research Centers, or other new technologies available through VU/VUMC core facilities.
Deadline: September 21st, 8:00 AM CDT
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES RELATING TO APPLICATIONS:
An individual must be a member of the Vanderbilt or Meharry faculty (Instructor or above) and must fit within NIH Guidelines for eligibility. This support is targeted to any investigator, new or established, proposing to utilize the VICB High-Throughput Screening Facility, BioVU, the Vanderbilt Mass Spectrometry Research Center Cores, or other new technologies available through VU/VUMC core facilities to launch new research programs in drug, gene, or biomarker discovery related to diabetes, obesity, or the complications thereof. The grants are intended to provide support for studies that allow an investigator to develop preliminary data sufficient to prepare an application for independent research support through conventional granting mechanisms. This grant mechanism is intended to support one year of research, up to $50,000 per year.
Some examples of studies eligible for research funding are:
1. A study proposed by an investigator to develop a high throughput screen, or executing an already developed, but unfunded screen, for small molecules active at a target relevant to diabetes or obesity, or complications thereof.
2. A study proposed by an investigator to utilize BioVU to identify genes relevant to the development of diabetes, obesity, or complications thereof.
3. A study by an investigator proposing to utilize mass spectrometry to identify biomarkers for diabetes, obesity, or complications thereof in either patients or animal models.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
The application should be submitted on the NIH form PHS 398, which can be obtained from the website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html
The pages we require are:
- face page
- abstract
- key personnel
- biosketch(es)
- resources
- research description (FIVE PAGE LIMIT)
- literature cited pages
- Letter of collaboration from the director of the shared resource to be used (VICB High-Throughput Screening Facility, BioVU, the Mass Spectrometry Research Center, or VU/VUMC core facilities)
- Letter(s) of collaboration
- Cover letter which includes the names, institutions, and email addresses of TWO internal reviewers and TWO external reviewers who are not members of your department or collaborators
No budget pages needed until an award is made.
The application must be assembled into a single PDF document that contains all grant materials and letters of collaboration. Research track faculty MUST include a letter from his/her laboratory director or departmental chair describing how this award will serve in developing an independent research program and external research funding.
Deadline: September 21st, 8:00 AM CDT
Submit applications HERE
Note: It is NOT necessary for the application to go through the Office of Research prior to submission.
QUESTIONS: Persons considering submitting a proposal and not certain of eligibility or persons with questions about grants should contact Dr. Roland Stein (615-322-7026 or roland.stein@vanderbilt.edu). For questions about the grant submission process, please contact Jessica Kimber (615-875-6072 or jessica.kimber@vumc.org).
REVIEW CRITERIA: Proposed studies should present a testable hypothesis and clearly delineate the question being asked, detail procedures to be followed, and discuss how the data will be analyzed and lead to future studies. This proposal is focused on stimulating use of novel discovery resources at Vanderbilt for advancement of knowledge in diabetes and obesity. Successful applications must therefore be focused upon discovery science predominantly dependent upon novel use of the VICB High-Throughput Screening Facility, BioVU, or the Mass Spectrometry Research Center Cores. Preliminary data using these resources is not required, but the work should be at a stage where it can begin when funding starts. Grants may receive both internal and external review. Emphasis is placed on how the research might lead to new research ideas or research funding. For junior investigators, additional considerations include how this award will impact your career and the potential of the applicant to compete for independent research funding in the future. Research track faculty MUST include a letter from his/her laboratory director or departmental chair describing how this award will serve in developing an independent research program and external research funding.
Funded investigators will be asked to prepare a progress report and participate in the DRTC Seminar Series and Diabetes Day Program.