COBRE Replacement Project in Personalized Medicine

Program Goals

The purpose of this request for proposals (RFP) is to support basic and translational pilot research projects in genomics and personalized medicine. The project should utilize our COBRE Genome Acquisition and Analysis core enable acquisition of preliminary data for a R01 or equivalent federal grant application. This is a mentored award where the awardee will become part of the personalized medicine COBRE program and work with the team and research core. They will be mentored by senior expert members of the team, and individual mentor, and external advisory board. The applicant should have promised to win independent funding and be a competitive member for a research project PI on our COBRE Phase II continuation grant due in September, 2023; these PIs can be Postdoctoral Fellows, Assistant Professors, or Associate Professors that have not previously had R01 level independent funding. Applicants are encouraged to consult with the Director or staff in the GAA core.

Eligibility

All full-time faculty in Nevada are eligible to apply. Applicants cannot concurrently hold a COBRE, INBRE or CTR-IN award. Applicants should not be a PI on another COBRE component. Researchers are expected to have an accomplished research record with several first authored publications, and preferably have previously demonstrated the ability to support their laboratory through grant funding. We will also consider postdoctoral fellows working in personalized medicine with an excellent record of research accomplishment.

Use of Funds, Budget, and Allowed Expenses

Up to $225,000 in direct cost and full federal indirect cost may be requested. A budget justification should also state a commitment of at least 50% effort for the PI. Expected uses are for PI salary, laboratory staff, supplies, contracted services and the use of the Genome Acquisition and Analysis core. These should should be described in detail in the budget justification.

Content and Format

A complete application has a Biosketch conforming to current NIH forms, NIH-style specific aims page, budget justification, and optionally, collaboration letters and a Grant review (if a related grant was previously submitted). The Specific Aims page should be for a project related to Personalized Medicine. If an application is accepted for funding, and expanded research project description and other NIH forms will be required.

Expectations of Awardees

Awardees are expected to abide by NIH rules and policy, commit at least 50% effort to the project, and submit a NIH R01, NSF Career award or similar grant application to a federal agency within one year of the award. Awardees will be actively mentored by the COBRE center, COBRE-funded mentors, and our external advisory board. Awardees will be required to complete surveys and progress reports, present progress on their project, regularly attend COBRE weekly meetings, seminars, workshops, and an annual retreat.

Review Criteria

A mock NIH panel and an external advisory board will review the grant proposals. Reviewers will consider each of the NIH review criteria, and also assess how the PI uses the GAA core to determine the scientific merit ranking an overall impact score. PIs with grants that are favorably reviewed, but not funded, may be invited to submit in a future competition.