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KEY APPLICATION DATES:
Optional Pre-proposal Deadline: November 20, 2023 (Monday, end of the day)
Full Application Deadline: March 4, 2024 (Monday, end of the day)
Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2024
PURPOSE: The Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium invites applications for pilot grant proposal studies to support basic or clinical biomedical, translational, epidemiological, caregiving, educational, or behavioral studies in AD, ADRD or brain aging research. Pilot projects are intended to help establish the basis for applying for further research funding and further development of the applicant’s career in these areas of research.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Pilot projects are intended for senior postdocs or junior faculty level investigators and, less commonly, for more senior investigator from other fields, who are interested in AD or ADRD research and who will have the highest chance of subsequent competitive grant funding.
All applications are expected to provide a provisional plan and timeline for the submission of a subsequent competitive grant application to NIA (National Institute on Aging) or another respected funding source. We encourage applications by researchers from underrepresented groups.
We also encourage, but do not require, researchers to capitalize on ADRC (Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center) resources (e.g., those related to its Administrative, Clinical, Neuropathology, Biomarker, Outreach Recruitment and Engagement [ORE] or Data Management and Statistics [DMSC] Cores). Please also include a preliminary statistical plan for the proposed study. We strongly recommend consultation with Yi Su, PhD, who oversees our Statistics Program. Contact information is listed below.
MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT: We plan to support two to three 12-month pilot project grants ($30,000/year direct costs; no indirect costs), depending on availability of funding from the state of Arizona.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: The funding mechanism is intended to allow an investigator the opportunity to develop preliminary data sufficient to provide the basis for an application for independent research support.
Examples of possible pilot projects are:
- A study using the NACC data set to determine the feasibility of conducting larger studies in the
- A study proposed by a new investigator, with an interest in research in AD, before the study has developed to the point of being suitable to apply for individual grant
- Functional, mechanistic, or pre-clinical activities designed to move a basic discovery towards a translational endpoint in the near
Examples of unacceptable pilot projects are:
- Clinical trials – Investigators interested in clinical trials should consider applying through the NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Pilot Clinical Trials
Information obtained should allow subsequent submission of competitive grant support through the NIA, or other extramural funding agencies. Proposals that utilize data available through the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (Minimum Data Set, Uniform Data Set, Neuropathology Data Set, etc. – see https://www.alz.washington.edu/WEB/data_descript.html); that are related to the disciplines of the ADRC Cores/Components (Clinical, Data Management and Statistics, Biomarker, Outreach and Recruitment, Neuropathology – see http://azalz.org/about-us/all-cores/); or that promote the study of Hispanic or Native Americans are encouraged, but not required. All proposals must include a preliminary plan and timeline for submission of a competitive grant application.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
Optional Pre-proposal*: If applicants desire feedback on their proposed application, an optional pre-proposal (not to exceed one page) may be sent by November 20, 2023, to Carol Barnes, PhD ([email protected]) via email attachment with a cc to Peggy Nolty ([email protected]) and Winnie Liang, PhD ([email protected]).
The pre-proposal should include a descriptive title, brief abstract with specific aims, a high level statistical plan, and a list of study team members. While pre-proposals are not required, it would permit applicants an opportunity to receive initial feedback and suggestions that might help strengthen the full proposal. Pre-proposals will receive rapid feedback with constructive recommendations within ~ 2 weeks.
Full Application: The PHS research grant application fillable forms must be used in applying for these funds (available at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html). All components of the proposal, including appendices, should be sent in a single PDF (<25Mb) by March 4, 2024 to Carol Barnes, PhD ([email protected]) via email attachment with a cc to Peggy Nolty ([email protected]) and Winnie Liang, PhD ([email protected]). Please make sure that you receive an email confirming receipt of your application. If you do not receive an email, please contact Winnie Liang.
Applications must include:
- A cover letter with the names and contact information for 3-4 potential qualified reviewers from AZ institutions (along with email address)
- Face page (form page 1)
- Summary, Relevance, Project/Performance Sites, Senior/Key Personnel, (form page 2)
- Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period (form page 4) – Budget limited to $30,000/yr direct costs (no indirect costs)
- Budget for Entire Proposed Project Period (form page 5)
- Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketch(es) for Key Personnel: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
- Resources (Facilities and Other Resources, Equipment)
- Research Plan – limited to 5 pages and should include:
- Specific Aims
- Research Strategy (Significance, Innovation, Approach)
- Timeline and Plan for Submission of Competitive Grant Application
- Bibliography and References Cited
- Protection of Human Subjects (if applicable)
- PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report – Planned Enrollment (if applicable) https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/readonly/PHS_Inclusion_Enrollment_Report-V1.0.pdf
- Vertebrate Animals (if applicable)
- Checklist Form Page (including your institutional indirect cost calculation)
- Appendices are limited to three publications, manuscripts, abstracts, patents, or other printed materials directly relevant to the
Applicants may also wish to identify a mentor, collaborator, or consultant to advise or assist them on the project. Potential mentors, collaborators, consultants should be listed in the grant cover letter. Applicants who would like suggestions for appropriate matches should speak to Dr. Eric Reiman (Director, Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium), or Dr. Carol Barnes (Director, Ad Hoc Review Program). Contact information is listed below.
APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA: Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by two relevant experts. Applications will be rated based on 1) significance, 2) quality, innovation, and feasibility, 3) use of NACC, NCRAD and/or Core facilities, 4) potential of applicant to develop a successful research program in the field, 5) likelihood of leading to a successful grant application, and 6) sound experimental design and statistical approach. If the grant was reviewed previously, the applicant may include a summary of the substantive changes made to the proposal in their cover letter.
Notification of projects selected for funding will be sent by May 2024.
INQUIRIES: Inquiries are encouraged. Inquiries regarding ADRC core resources or expertise related to the applicant’s field of interest can be directed to:
Eric M. Reiman, MD, Director, Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium
Email: [email protected]
Jessica Langbaum, PhD, Associate Director, ADRC Administrative Core
Email: [email protected]
Inquiries regarding application and review procedures can be directed to:
Carol Barnes, PhD, Director, Ad Hoc Review Program
Email: [email protected]
Inquiries regarding statistical approach can be directed to:
Yi Su, PhD, Data Management & Statistics Core Director
Email: [email protected]