CTR Superstar RFA Deadline

The Great Plains IDeA-CTR network is excited to announce a funding opportunity. The grant will be announced at the GP IDeA-CTR Annual Scientific Meeting on October 6, 2021. Funding will be awarded to an innovative research project based on criteria delineated below. Please note: final award will be dependent upon receipt of GP IDeA-CTR Notice of Award.

The goal is to raise awareness of clinical and translational research conducted by promising scholars who are developing innovative tools and methods for medical research. The winning investigator/team will receive a $20,000 pilot grant award to catalyze cutting-edge research that may translate to a sustainable product or a larger federal grant.

We are requesting a brief research pitch (2 pages maximum) to include: project title, principal investigator(s), participating institution(s), study aims, hypotheses, methods (brief overview of design, study sample, measures, and statistical analysis plan), one-year deliverables, budget and justification, a statement addressing how the project advances CTR, and a lay summary. In addition, we ask that applicants provide a biosketch for PI and all key personnel.

Finalists will present projects at the annual meeting in October 2021. The winner will receive up to $20,000 (direct costs) for one year, and access to resources of the GP IDeA-CTR to support these research efforts.

Research pitches will be judged on:

• scientific merit
• promise in translating research to innovative tools for CTR
• relevance to CTR
• multidisciplinary teams
• inclusion of inter-institutional partners

Eligibility:

• Current full-time faculty appointment at a participating institution (noted below).
• Eligible to apply for NIH research grants.
• Project relevant to clinical and/or translational research.
• Must be able to attend and present pitch (either in-person or virtually) at CTR Superstar competition on October 6, 2021 if chosen as a finalist.
• Note: You are not eligible if you currently have funding from any other IDeA program.

Participating Institutions:

• University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
• University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO)
• University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL)
• University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK)
• Boys Town National Research Hospital (BTNRH)
• Creighton University (CU)
• Children’s Hospital and Medical Center (CHMC)
• Omaha Veterans Administration Medical Center (O-VAMC)

 Application Deadline: September 13^th, 2021 at 5pm

Funds Available: One award of $20,000 (direct costs).

Application Process:

• Compile the below application materials in the order listed and combine into one PDF file.
• Complete the online application here, and upload the PDF file containing the full research pitch.

Required Application Materials: 

• Project title
• Principal investigator(s)
• Participating institution(s)
• Study aims, hypotheses, methods (brief overview of design, sample, measures, budget and statistical analysis plan)
• One-year deliverables
• A statement addressing how the project advances clinical and translational research
• Lay summary of project, including disease/health relevance
• Literature cited
• Budget
  • Please use the attached budget form
  • Faculty salary support is not allowed, student/post-doctoral stipend is not allowed but salary/wages are permissible.
  • Equipment (>$5,000 per item) purchase is not allowed
  • Budget justification
• NIH format Biosketch (download form and see instructions here. Include a biosketch for PI

and other key personnel)

• Appendices will not be accepted

*Pitch is not to exceed two pages (with exception of Biosketch(es), budget and references  

 which can be added at end of pdf).

**All “Required Application Materials” must be included in the pdf or your application will NOT  

   be considered.

Review Process

• The Administrative Core for the GP IDeA-CTR will review all research pitches using criteria delineated above and the NIH review criteria (Significance, Investigator(s), Innovation, Approach, Environment), modified as appropriate for this Pilot grant program.
• The Administrative Core will select 3 applications based on above criteria and suggest ranking to CTR Superstarpanel
• The top 3 applicants will present research proposals to CTR Superstar panel members and attendees during the CTR Superstar Competition. The panel will render final award decision based on innovative approach immediately following presentations the competition on October 6^th, 2021.

Funding

Should your project be selected for funding, please note the following:

• Funding is dependent on receipt of Notice of Award for the GP IDeA-CTR.
• Your proposal will be submitted to the GP IDeA-CTR Steering Committee, External Advisory Committee and NIGMS for final approval.
• If your project involves the use of human subjects, you will be required to submit your protocol to the IRB by 2/1/2022 to ensure the project is fully approved by all committees and NIGMS by 7/1/2022. You will be required to write the Protection of Human Subjects section (which should also include sections for Inclusion of Women & Minorities and Inclusion of Children). In addition, you are required to complete Human Subjects CITI certification and inform us of whether your project meets the NIH definition of a clinical trial.
• If your project meets the NIH definition of vertebrate animal research, you will be required to submit your protocol to the IACUC by 2/1/2022 to ensure the project is fully approved by all committees and NIGMS by 7/1/2022. You will also be required to write the Vertebrate Animals section NIH grants (for instructions, click here).
• We require proof of final IRB and/or IACUC by 5/1/2022. Please note that conditional approval does not suffice.
• These materials will then be submitted, along with your application, to NIGMS for final approval.
• Following NIGMS approval, funds will be made available to the awardee institution with an anticipated beginning date of 7/1/2022.

Awardee Requirements:

• Award recipient will be required to attend the Great Plains IDeA-CTR Annual Scientific Meeting (either virtually or in-person) (October 6, 2021) and present project/results.
• Written Report: Provide written reports as requested detailing progress and addressing deliverables for GP IDeA-CTR advisory boards and progress reports to NIGMS.
• Awardee must register to become a GP IDeA-CTR member via our website, here.
• Remain current on all required regulatory training based on your project and institutional requirements, and provide all updated approvals to the GP IDeA-CTR program coordinator.

• Attend the Annual Scientific Meeting in 2022 where you will present your project and progress to date to the External Advisory Committee.
• Maintain all IRB/IACUC documentation and approval status as appropriate.
• Complete post-graduation evaluations and assist with post-award tracking (e.g., papers, promotions, grants, etc.).
• Cite the GP-CTR/NIGMS grant in all publications and presentations as appropriate.

Questions

Please direct questions to Pamela Laws, Chief Scientific Administrator, pamela.flaxlaws@unmc.edu