Request for Applications for Pilot Project Funding
Funding Opportunity
The Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center (CARC) is accepting applications for its Pilot Project program. One award of $30,000 to $35,000 per project for a 12-month period is anticipated.
Purpose
The purpose of this call for CARC pilot projects is to solicit proposals that use a basic science or translational approach to examine the pathophysiology and comorbid effects of alcohol and the overall effects of alcohol use and abuse on disease progression in persons living with HIV controlled by ART. Clinical studies examining the impact of alcohol use on comorbidities and chronic disease/conditions are strongly encouraged. Areas of interest include the cardiovascular system, infectious disease, and psychology. The tissue/organ/disease of focus, and the model system used may be determined by the submitting Principal Investigator (PI). A major goal of this call for applications is to generate preliminary data that will support a research component in a program project proposal that will be competitive for external funding (focus on NIAAA). Pilot projects that establish new collaborations are strongly encouraged.
Eligibility
The CARC Pilot Project program is open to all faculty investigators with research interests aligned with CARC objectives. This includes internal scientists within the LSU system as well as external investigators. The CARC Intramural Center Committee (ICC) will monitor the performance and productivity of the project.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Research Plan
Describe the major goals, objectives, hypotheses, and how it aligns with the current priorities of the CARC. This section must clearly identify the design, procedures, and analytical plan. Must include how it will be used to apply for extramural funding in an area directly related to the scientific focus of the CARC. If CARC Resource Core is utilized, information on its use should be provided. Not to exceed 5 pages excluding references.
NIH-style Biosketch
Other Support should indicate effort and total direct costs during funding period.
Budget
Detailed budget including justification should be submitted. Funds are not to exceed $30,000-$35,000. Allowable costs include: Supplies, and salary support for research personnel (i.e., student worker, research associate). Time release salary protection may be also be requested from the Dean's office by clinicians to conduct this research. Costs not allowed include travel and salary support. Sub-contracts outside LSUHSC School of Medicine are not allowed.
Submission
Proposals should be submitted electronically, as separate PDF files, including the three items above to Meghan Brashear at mmcglo@lsuhsc.edu no later than Friday, June 7th, 2019.
Please note: This funding mechanism does not need to be routed through the LSUHSC Office of Research Services for signatures. However, proof of IBC, IRB, and/or IACUC approval(s) will be requested prior to final award.
Review/Evaluation Process
Peer review will be conducted by members of the ICC and External Advisory Committee (EAC). Either the EAC or the ICC may choose to solicit additional expert peer review if necessary. EAC members will be assigned as primary and secondary reviewers of each application with the primary reviewer being responsible for preparing a written critique to be submitted for consideration by the ICC. A presentation to CARC ICC members may be requested prior to award funding.
Criteria for Review/Evaluation of Applications
Applications will be prioritized using the following criteria:
Fundability: Are the results obtained from this pilot study likely to lead to competitive federal grant applications? Does the study address an important problem to the alcohol research field related to the focus of the CARC and/or use novel approaches, and/or challenge existing ideas, and/or develop new methodologies?
Fit: Will the proposed work enhance alcohol and HIV research at LSUHSC, either by enhancing current areas of strength, creating new collaborations, and/or creating synergy between ongoing strengths in multiple research groups?
Approach: Are the overall approach, design, methods and analysis adequately developed and appropriate to address the aims of the study? Is this plan explicitly described in the proposal?
Investigator(s): Is he/she appropriately trained and experienced in the research area to carry out the proposed work? Does he/she have the track record that would warrant extramural funding based on the data obtained?
Funding Decision
Awards will be announced by August 15th, 2019. Funding is anticipated to start January 1st, 2020 and is contingent on approval by appropriate institutional committees.
Progress
Members of the ICC will be identified to serve as mentors for the PIs of each pilot project. The assigned ICC mentors will meet with the PIs at least monthly to discuss their progress, data interpretation, and limitations. The pilot project PI will be expected to give a short oral presentation of the results during a CARC ICC meeting at least twice a year. Initial funding will be for one year with the potential for a second year extension, based on progress, the potential for extramural funding, and the quality of the new applicant pool. Certain projects will likely require a second year of funding based upon a realistic timeframe required to complete the project. The pilot project PI will also be required to present plans to use the data generated from the pilot for submission of a grant for extramural funding within two years of award funding.
Funding for this site is provided by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).