Pilot Research Grant Program
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The University of Pittsburgh MIDAS National Center of Excellence is pleased to announce a Pilot Research Grant Program designed to facilitate collaborative research in computational modeling and simulation of infectious diseases. Investigators within the various schools, departments, and centers at the University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), the RAND-University of Pittsburgh Health Institute (RUPHI), affiliated Institutions associated with the University of Pittsburgh MIDAS National Center of Excellence and/or the MIDAS National Network are eligible to participate.
Download a printable copy of the RFA by clicking here.
1. Seed Grants
Questions Regarding the Program
Purpose:
The Pilot Research Grant Program is designed to provide financial support for pilot research projects that will foster innovative research and attract new investigators to the field of infectious disease modeling and simulation. Preference will be given to projects that bring novel approaches and/or expertise to complex problems within the field of infectious disease modeling and simulation including, but not limited to, environmental influences, social networks, human behavioral change, policy, and economics, among other fields.
Types of proposals
Two types of proposals will be accepted: Seed Grants and Development Grants.
MIDAS Seed Grants
Seed Grant Information
- Seed Grants are intended to engage postdoctoral fellows as new investigators in computational modeling and simulation of infectious diseases.
- Maximum award of $5,000 (direct costs) annually with the possibility of renewal.
- Eligibility is restricted to postdoctoral fellows with an active interest in computational modeling and simulation of infectious disease research.
- An established investigator affiliated with the Pittsburgh MIDAS National Center of Excellence and/or the MIDAS National Network must serve as a co-investigator.
- A letter of support from the postdoctoral applicant’s current research faculty mentor is required.
Eligibility
Budget
Funds may not be used to cover investigator effort on Seed Grant projects. Note, however, effort is required by the principal investigator, must be reflected on the budget page, and must be cost shared by the department or other entity that will support such effort. Funds may be used to cover project supplies, or other purposes related directly to the conduct of the research. The monies awarded will support direct costs only; no indirect support will be provided.
Funds may not be requested for travel expenses. Personal computer purchase will be approved only when it can be demonstrated that the computer is essential for the exclusive use of this project. Justification must be provided for any equipment item costing more than $500. Costs that also are not allowable include dues for professional societies, subscription to journals, and major equipment (<$5K). Individuals already funded by a MIDAS Project are ineligible for additional salary support. Any salary support requested in a submitted budget should reflect institutional federal fringe benefit rates at their Institution.
MIDAS Development Grants
Development Grant Information
- Development Grants are intended to permit the development of techniques or novel approaches to expand the field of computational modeling and simulation of infectious diseases by engaging new investigators from various academic backgrounds and training.
- Maximum award of $10,000 (direct costs) annually with the possibility of renewal.
- Eligibility is restricted to full-time junior and senior faculty, including research faculty and investigators new to computational modeling and simulation of infectious diseases.
- Consideration for a planned collaboration with an investigator affiliated with the Pittsburgh MIDAS National Center of Excellence would be viewed favorably but not required.
- A letter of support from the Principal Investigator affiliated/associated with the University of Pittsburgh MIDAS National Center of Excellence and/or the MIDAS National Network is required if the applicant is outside of the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC system.
Funds may be used to cover investigator effort on Development Grants. However, effort is required by the principal investigator, must be reflected on the budget page, and must be cost shared equally by the department or other entity that will support such effort. Funds may be used to cover supplies, or other purposes related directly to the conduct of the research. The monies awarded will support direct costs only; no indirect support will be provided. Funds may not be requested for travel expenses. Personal computer purchase will be approved only when it can be demonstrated that the computer is essential for the exclusive use of this research project. Justification must be provided for any equipment item costing more than $500. Costs that also are not allowable include dues for professional societies, subscription to journals, and major equipment (<$5K). Individuals already funded by a MIDAS Project are ineligible for additional salary support. Any salary support requested in a submitted budget should reflect federal fringe benefit rates at their Institution. The application for the Pilot Research Grant Program must contain the following: The application must be clear, readily legible and conform to the following three requirements: 1) the font must be 11-point; 2) margins, in all directions, must be at least ½ inch; 3) text in figures, charts, tables, figure legends, and footnotes may be smaller in size but must be in black ink and readily legible. If these are not legible, there may be a negative impact on the evaluation of the application. Adherence to type size and line spacing requirements is necessary for several reasons. No applicant should have the advantage, by using small type, of providing more text in his or her application. Small type may also make it difficult for reviewers to read the application. One of the goals of the pilot research grant program is to help investigators new to the area obtain experience in computational modeling and simulation of infectious disease. Therefore, the Public Health Dynamics laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh is available to serve as a resource for pilot awardees in developing interdisciplinary approaches using computational models to improve the understanding of theory and practice of complex issues that arise in public health (www.phdl.pitt.edu). The University of Pittsburgh MIDAS National Center of Excellence Pilot Grant Review Committee will review applications based on the criteria listed below: Applications are to be submitted electronically in pdf format to the MIDAS Education & Outreach Coordinator, Dr. Phillip Palmer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Dr. Palmer will send an e-mail message acknowledging receipt of the electronic application within one week of submission. Investigators should contact Dr. Palmer if this messages is not received. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) on April 16, 2012. Applications will be reviewed by the Pilot Research Grant Review Committee. The recommendations of this committee will be carefully considered by the University of Pittsburgh MIDAS National Center of Excellence leadership in determining which applications will receive awards. All final decisions regarding the awards are subject to the approval of the Principal Investigator of the University of Pittsburgh MIDAS National Center of Excellence, Dr. Donald S. Burke. All budget items must be explicitly justified. As noted, applications involving junior investigators or investigators who are seeking to integrate modeling and simulation into their research programs are of high priority. It is anticipated that 2 Seed Grants and 4 Development Grants will be awarded. RFA Release Date: January 18, 2012 Proposal Due Date: April 16, 2012 Project Start Date: September 1, 2012 The MIDAS Pilot Grants have been established as 12 month awards. Awardees must complete expenditures by June 30, 2013. The Principal Investigator is expected to provide a written progress report every 6 months during the period of the award. These biannual progress reports are similar in format to an NIH progress report, listing the specific aims and any deviations from them, results, publications and any related or follow-up applications or awards for funding. All awardees must inform the MIDAS Project Coordinator, Ms. Katie Philp (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), of any publications that arise from this funding source and acknowledge the NIGMS MIDAS Grant 5U54GM088491. Any requests for revision of aims or budget during the course of the project should be sent in writing to the Director of the MIDAS Education & Outreach Core: Dr. Joan M. Lakoski (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Scientific and other questions can be addressed to the Director of the MIDAS Education & Outreach Core: Dr. Joan M. Lakoski (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the MIDAS Education & Outreach Coordinator: Dr. Phillip Palmer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Suite M-252A Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, Phone: (412) 648-9572, Fax: (412) 624-3858.Eligibility
Budget
Application Process:
Resources:
Review Considerations:
Submission, Review and Award:
Obligation of awardees:
Questions Regarding the Program: