Objectives:

The CRC Pilot Project Award is intended to facilitate the process by which emerging clinical/translational investigators are enabled to test an innovative hypothesis and/or generate the preliminary data necessary to be competitive for extramural research grants. The CRC Pilot Project Award incorporates strong elements for mentorship and career development planning, as well as vigilant oversight by the CRC Research Advisory committees.

Request for proposals are made through an institution-wide solicitation to MSM academic unit leaders and investigators in clinical and basic science departments and centers and institutes. A major goal of the CRC is to encourage interdisciplinary clinical and translational research with a particular emphasis on two target groups: 1) promising MSM faculty at an early career development stage (i.e., instructor or assistant professor) who have not yet received substantial extramural funding as PI, and 2) mid career MSM faculty or seasoned investigators either entering the clinical and translational field for the first time or exploring a new direction in that arena.

Eligibility:

The CRC Pilot Project Awards are specifically designed to provide the seed funding needed to develop a research program that subsequently will be successful in the acquisition of an NIH R-series (or equivalent) extramural support in clinical/translational research. CRC Pilot Project applications will be defined as eligible and responsive if they fulfill one or more of the following criteria:

1. Human research, including observational, interventional investigations and systematic clinical trials
2. Application of preclinical laboratory discoveries to human research
3. Adoption and translation of best practices in healthcare to the community setting
4. Application or translation of community-based participatory research principles and practices to address a clinical/translational research question.
5. The research proposal addresses an important aspect of minority health or ethnic health disparity in the region

The Application:

The science narrative should be no longer than eight pages in length, organized in a typical NIH-RO1 format with Abstract, Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Preliminary Results (if applicable), Research Plan and Literature Cited. Please use the current NIH phs 398 forms. In addition, the candidate should provide a description of 'Future Research Directions' as well as a career development plan (one to two pages) that outlines the applicant's career goals and anticipated outcomes or benchmarks of success over the next three to five years. A one page budget and budget justification should be provided, describing needs for the entire period of the requested grant. A one-page budget and budget justification should be provided for the entire period of the requested grant (NIH format). The PI's NIH biosketch, and Other Support (NIH format of funding history and current/pending grant support) must be included, along with similar support documents for other key personnel and mentor(s) as appropriate. The applicant is encouraged to include a letter of support from a mentor where appropriate. Requests for equipment are not encouraged and would require a very compelling justification. Request for use of CRC/ACTSI/RCMI resources should include statement of approval by core resource director/manager.

Mechanism of Support:

Applicants may request one year of support, up to $75,000 annually, with an option for competitive renewal for an additional year.

Review Process:

Proposals are reviewed by a CRC Scientific review group (SAC) in an NIH study section format with more than one reviewer assigned to each proposal. Outside reviews will be solicited as needed. Written critiques are prepared on each proposal for use by the committee and forwarded to the applicant following the selection process.

MSM CRC Internal Review Criteria (similar to NIH K award review):

• Candidate
  • Career development potential in clinical/translational science
  • Emphasis is placed on using the Pilot Project Program to enhance the faculty development opportunities for MSM Junior Faculty.
  • Clinicians with demonstrated commitment to clinical research as evidenced by receipt of the MSCR degree are encouraged.
  • Basic scientists transitioning to translational science are encouraged to participate.
  • Academic department commitment for protected time to execute project should be documented.
• Project
  • Scientific Merit
    • Significance, innovation, approach, feasibility
  • Collaborative Team
  • Multi-disciplinary collaborations encouraged
  • Expertise in place for successful execution
  • Fulfillment of CRC objectives
  • Potential to transition to future extramural funding
  • Effective use of CRC/Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute (ACTSI) cores/resources
  • Leverages distinct strengths of MSM research foci and infrastructure.

Letter of Intent:

Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit a one page letter of intent that includes project title, investigator(s) and anticipated CRC/ACTSI resource utilization. The letter of intent is not binding, but helps the CRC/ACTSI estimate application volume and resource requirements.

All administrative or budgetary inquiries, applications and letters of intent are sent by e-mail to:

Rondereo Sidney, Program Manager, ACTSI, Phone: 404-752-1664, e-mail: rsidney@msm.edu

Queries related to programmatic or scientific issues that are non-administrative are sent by e-mail to the CRC Director:

Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH, FACC, Associate Dean of Clinical Research , Director, Clinical Research Center, Professor of Medicine, e-mail: eofili@msm.edu

2008-2009 CRC Pilot Project Awardees:

• Jacqueline Hibbert, PhD, MSc - (Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, & Immunology) Nutritional Supplement for Managing Sickle Cell Disease Associated Nutritional Deficiencies
• Gale Newman, PhD - (Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, & Immunology) Urinary HIV Proteins as Biomarkers of Disease Progression
• Veena Rao, PhD, MS - (Department of Medicine) Nano-based Therapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancers

Future CRC Pilot Awards:

Future CRC Pilot Award opportunities will be solicited through MSM community e-mail, the CRC website, and the ACTSI website.