Faculty Grant Program

Clinical Research Services (CRS) Faculty Grant Program

Overview

This program will provide up to $20,000 over a two-year period to support hypothesis-driven clinical research projects and/or collaborations led by MWU’s research leaders or emerging leaders. These funds are not reducing intramural funding for any college. The purpose of this program is to:

• • Provide funding specifically for clinical research projects where other intramural funding is not available
  • Lay the groundwork for intellectually innovative clinical researchprojects
  • Foster new and emerging creative clinical research ideas including team development proposals for future large collaborative partnerships
  • Create pilot data for extramural submissions;

Eligibility

To be considered eligible:

• PIs must have a full-time (0.8 FTE) faculty appointment
• The intent of the program is to encourage new or nurture clinical based research projects. Participation by non-MWU personnel is encouraged if collaboration will improve the project’s potential to receive extramural funding.
• Faculty are eligible regardless of whether they concurrently hold other MWU intramural research funding
• Compelling justification will be required when:
• one or more of the PIs was awarded a Faculty Seed or One Health Award within the last three years
• the same or substantially similar project has already received intramural funding
• There is no prohibition against serving as a PI on more than one internal MWUproposal. Proposals should be for significantly different projects.
• All faculty applicants must have the research portions of their webpage updated Awards

Awards

The CRS Faculty Grant Program Award will provide up to $20,000 over a two-year period,typically awarding approximately $10,000 per year, consistent with the proposal’s budget. If necessary to support the study design, PIs have the option to request up to $20,000 in one year. Funding will begin after award notice and when IRB/IACUC approval is obtained and must be spent down within each program year. IRB/IACUC approval is not required prior to submission for funding, however, IRB/IACUC approval is necessary prior to award. All unexpended funds at the end of each program year will be returned to CRS and cannot be “rolled-over.”

Deadlines

CRS will accept applications on a rolling basis depending on available funding. Applicants should inquire (acarma@midwestern.edu) if CRS is currently accepting applications before beginning process of application.

Email Application to: Ali Carmack, Sr. Administrative Coordinator, CRS at acarma@midwestern.edu

Use of Funds

Allowable expenses are detailed in the Use of ORSP Intramural Funds policy, and generally include:

• Consumable supplies (this does not include office supplies or other materials normally provided by your department)
• A necessary consultant (outside statisticians are allowed if MWU’s statisticians are not available or don’t have the expertise in the area)
• A necessary consultant (outside statisticians are allowed if MWU’s statisticians are not available or don’t have the expertise in the area)
• Research-related software (requires the approval of IT)
• Costs related to the use of human subjects (consistent with the Remuneration for Research Participants policy)
• Travel for the purpose of field research or a specific, goal-oriented collaboration that will yield tangible outcomes including the submission of a proposal for extramural funding.
• While collaboration with other institutions is encouraged, these funds are expected to be spent at MWU
• Any use of funds not described in the Use of ORSP Intramural Funds policy should check with the CRS in advance.

Expenses generally not allowed include:

• Funds may not be used to support add pay, salaries or stipends of individuals working at MWU
• Publication page charges
• Technology items (e.g., computers, phones, printers, etc.; such items, when appropriately justified, such items can be purchased through the college for research purposes)
• Tuition remission
• Any travel to meetings or symposia

Intramural awards originating from the CRS are expected to be fully expended within the funding year(s) in which they are awarded. If a significant portion of the intramural funds are not expended within the expected time frame due to extenuating circumstances, faculty may request the balance of the award be funded in a subsequent funding year. Such requests must be submitted in writing at least two months prior to the scheduled end of funding year and include a compelling justification explaining the extenuating circumstance. Note that these requests are rarely granted, and they are considered only as one-time exceptions and cannot be extended. Faculty must ensure institutional approvals, e.g. IRB or IACUC (if appropriate) are obtained prior to release of funds.

Application Instructions

By submitting your application, you are certifying:

• That the department head of the PI supports the application and the effort required;
• That you understand:
• applications for approvals from all required committees (e.g. IRB, IACUC, Biosafety, etc.) may be submitted after funding award notice is received
• funding will only be awarded after required approval(s) (e.g. IRB, IACUC, Biosafety, etc.) have been confirmed
• all necessary approvals will be obtained prior to initiation of work

All proposals should have clearly defined goals that can be completed in the proposed timeline.

Reviewers may be matched to proposals based on the content and their expertise. However, your proposal may be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel and must be written so it is understandable to those not sharing your areas of expertise. Keep this in mind when writing your narrative so panelists outside your area can understand why your research is important. Avoid unnecessary jargon and define discipline specific terms.

Application Content, Order, and Detailed Instructions

Your application must follow the order: 1) Cover Page, 2) Lay Summary, 3) Narrative Summary, 4) Proposed Budget and Justification, 5) CVs, and 6) Appendix. Details for each section are found below.

The Cover Page must include: Project title, all PIs names, faculty rank, contact information (email and phone), college and primary departmental affiliation. Additional key personnel must be listed on the cover page as well, when applicable.

The Lay Summary is limited to 1” margins, 12-point Arial font, and 1 single spaced page. This summary is for faculty scholars and scientists on the panel who do NOT share your discipline or expertise. It is your job to make the project accessible to them. After reading this, they should have a general understanding of what you are going to do, how you are going to do it, and why it is important. The summary should:

1. Highlight the issues or questions to be explored, innovative approaches, and the significance of this project to the field and PI’s research program. Note any broader impacts and define any terms unique to your discipline.
2. Provide a summary timeline by major aims, goals, or milestones. Note any approvals, cost share, or agreements that will be prerequisites for the work to be completed.
3. Describe plans for dissemination including meetings presentations (abstracts) and publication of manuscript.
4. If applicable, describe how you will leverage the proposed study results into extramural grant(s) submissions. Identify sponsors, programs, and targeted deadlines.

The Narrative Summary is limited to 1” margins, 12-point Arial font, and six (6) single spaced pages. Retain the existing headers and sub-headers below and write “Not applicable” if a header or sub- header does not apply. The six-page limit includes any space allocated to figures, tables, references, etc. References may be in 10-point font.

Please note: exceeding the page limits can result in administrative rejection of the proposal.

1. Significance and Merit

   1. Leverage extramural funds

      Outline specific and credible plans for submission(s) to an external funding agency (if appropriate) and/or publication plans. If available, applicant should identify the sponsor, specific program name, anticipated deadline(s), or other information provided from correspondence. Whenever possible, multiple sponsors (government, foundation, corporate, etc.) should be identified.

   2. Past Performance

      If a PI has received MWU intramural funds to support their research within the past five years, summarize the research purpose and outcomes, including the title, project period, total budget, and resultant extramural grant submissions/grants awarded to date. If you have not received intramural funds, write “Not applicable.”

2. Methodology

   The major objectives and goals of the project should be described, including:

   1. The questions or problems to be addressed; if applicable, include gaps in current knowledge that this project will address.

   2. Specific strategies proposed to accomplish the specific aims of the project, noting the innovative aspects of the approach.

   3. Management plan that will serve to measure progress and optimize potential for completion in a timely manner.

3. Resources

   A description of the resources, working arrangements, and key administrative plans or agreements required to implement each project should be described. The purpose of outlining key administrative plans and agreement is to demonstrate the PIs will have access to resources (e.g. equipment, space, sites, material, research subjects, etc.) outside of their control but necessary for the conduct of the research. A distinction must be made between those resources that are already in place and those resources that must be added to advance the project. In some cases, it may help to include a letter/email in the appendix confirming the arrangement. This letter should come from the department head, dean, or whoever has the authority to provide such a letter. If the applicant is the department Chair/Director, the letter should come from the dean.

   Examples might include:

   • Access to non-MWU facilities/special populations/human subjects

   • Access to special reagents, materials, or equipment managed byanother organization

   • Specific necessary resources outside of the college ordepartment.

4. References

References may be in 10-point font.

The Proposed Budget and Justification section must describe the use of funds requested with full justification of personnel, materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses necessary for the proposed project period. The anticipated amount of spending in each fiscal year must be clear to the reviewers. Reviewers should have a full understanding of how funds will be used and why they are necessary in support of the project. Spending of funds must be consistent with MWU’s “Use of ORSP Intramural Funds” and “Remuneration for Research Participants” policies, where applicable. Additional details can be found above, under the heading Use of Funds.

The CVs section must include a CV or a NIH or NSF biosketch for each PI and Key Personnel. The maximum allowable length per person is four (4) pages. Old or new formats are allowable for biosketches. The CV or biosketch for PIs must address Current and Pending Extramural Support over the last 5 years, including: Title, PI, Your Role, the Sponsor, the Amount, the Project Period and any Potential Overlap with the current submission. Proposals submitted but not funded should not be included. The Current and Pending Extramural Support section is only required for the PIs (not needed for Key Personnel).

Appendix

General letters of support should not be included. The only allowable appendix attachments include:

1. Department/College letters pledging extraordinary contributions over which a PI has no control (e.g. space, faculty time, or other resources necessary to conductproposal);

2. Letters outlining administrative plans and agreements relevant to carrying out the research;

3. Surveys or measurement instruments.

Review Process

CRS Directors will appoint a review committee who will review all proposals and make recommendations based on the Review Criteria below. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Applications may not be funded based on any one (or more) of the Review Criteria below. All final funding/no funding decisions are made by the CRS Directors (Downers Grove and Glendale) with concurrence of MWU’s Assistant Vice President of Research.

Review Criteria

1. Significance/Intrinsic Merit: The overall quality, relevance and innovation of the work to be accomplished; specifically:

   • Intellectual Merit: The extent to which this project: represents a fresh, collaboration of personnel or expertise; Holds promise for fundamental advances, new discoveries, new technological developments; or other broader impacts bringing distinction to MWU.

   • Leverage extramural awards: Shows high fundability potential, as demonstrated by considered and specific extramural funding plan(s).

2. Appropriateness: The need for and suitability of the initiative approach; whether this approach will add significantly to what could be accomplished through other modes of support.

3. PI Qualifications: The qualifications and credentials of the PIs will be considered. It is expected that lead PIs will be regarded by their peers as leaders or emerging leaders in their respective fields. If the PI has been a past recipient of other MWU intramural funding, their past performance (extramural submissions, leveraging, publications etc.) will beconsidered.

4. Appropriateness of management plans and arrangements: the adequacy of the organizational and administrative plans; the appropriateness of the budget; and the mechanism to evaluate the initiative’s progress will be considered.

5. The nature and level of resources available from the colleges/departments and from other sponsoring units will be considered.

6. Adequacy of the plans for protection of human and animal subjects, if applicable.

Post Award Obligations

Successful awardees will be expected to present their work at MWU’s Kenneth A. Suarez Research Day and/or as part of an ORSP seminar, as appropriate. A one-page update on progress will be due after completion of the grant.

Unfunded Applications

Projects that are not funded with a CRS Faculty Grant Award can be broken down (as appropriate) by the PI and submitted for Intramural Research funds through the PI’s college.