NUTRITION AND OBESITY RESEARCH CENTER APPLICANT INFORMATION FOR PILOT & FEASIBILITY GRANTS (Please read carefully) The Nutrition and Research Center (NORC) at the University of Pittsburgh offers a Pilot & Feasibility (P&F) program to stimulate new and innovative research relevant to obesity and nutrition. Pilot & feasibility grants are primarily for new investigators embarking on independent research and academic careers but who have not yet received major research grant support. Pilot & feasibility grants are intended to enable investigators to collect data that will strengthen subsequent applications for extramural funding. Research can range from basic to clinical science, and cross all academic disciplines provided that there is a clear and strong focus on obesity or nutrition, or related topics such as bariatric surgery, eating disorders, exercise, energy metabolism, or related chronic diseases. Studies focused on clinical aspects of obesity and nutrition, mechanisms and biological pathways, and translational science are of significant interest. Studies utilizing NORC services will be given special consideration. Please reference the NORC website (www.norc.pitt.edu) for information on Scientific Cores and availability of their services. ELIGIBILITY Applicants must be faculty of the University of Pittsburgh or post-doctoral fellows sponsored* by a faculty member as co-investigator. Funding is not provided for doctoral dissertation research. Funding is primarily intended for new investigators without major research support. In this context it is important that the specific role of the applicant in carrying out the research is clearly described in the application. Funding priority will be given to those applicants who demonstrate a strong potential for an independent academic career. For post-doctoral fellows, post-training career plans should be described including any plans for faculty appointment at the University of Pittsburgh, which should be supported by an appropriate letter from the department chair. Also, the applicant should specifically address his/her eligibility to apply for NIH funding. In certain circumstances, pilot & feasibility grants may be awarded to established investigators who are proposing projects that constitute a significant departure from ongoing research, or established investigators in other fields who are proposing projects in which they will transfer their special expertise to the research focus of the Center. Individuals who are applying as established investigators must submit a letter describing current research, the proposed project (in brief), and how the proposed research would differ from the existing research program. This letter must be submitted to the NORC at least 1 month prior to the grant deadline for consideration by the NORC Executive Committee. Please see the attached eligibility guidelines specified by NIH for further clarification (page 6). BUDGET Projects will be of 1 or 2 years duration. Basic science projects generally receive funding for 1 year. Clinical investigations will be for 2 years, due to the longer period generally required for IRB approval and participant recruitment, etc. Funding is a maximum of $50,000 (direct costs) for the entire project period, regardless of the duration of the award. Please reference the enclosed application instructions (page 3) for the required format in submitting a pilot & feasibility grant proposal. * Trainees who are recipients of an NRSA individual award (F32) or are supported by an institutional training grant (T32) are eligible for P&F funds, but only if they are in their last year of training, have had at least one year of research laboratory experience, and have suitable expertise and independence to design and carry out the planned experiments. P&F funds cannot be used to supplement NRSA stipends; but may be used for supplies, technical support, special services, etc. 1
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS The application is limited to 6 pages (not including references), single-spaced, 11 point font size (Arial) with standard NIH page margins. The application must conform to the following format: Title of Project Abstract Specific Aims: State Hypothesis Background and Significance: Why is the study worth doing? Preliminary Studies: What has been done before? Experimental Design and Methods: How will the study be done? Include comments on sample size, power, controls, and data analysis. Investigator s Role: Explain in detail the role of the applicant in implementation of the proposed work. Future Plans: What is the next scientific step? Detail how data collected in the proposed investigation will be utilized to support an application for extramural funding and why data are needed for a competitive application. Career Goals: What role will this award play in the investigator s overall research plans? Resources References (does not count toward the 6 page limit) DO NOT SUBMIT APPENDIX MATERIAL In addition, Complete and submit the attached grant application form (page 3). 4 Page Biosketch (NIH format) should be provided for the Principal Investigator who is applying for Pilot and Feasibility funding. Indicate funding agency, title of project, start and end dates of project, direct costs of project, and your specific role on the project. Complete the attached statement indicating how you meet the criteria for eligibility for a pilot feasibility award (page 4). Provide the attached Budget Summary Page (Page 5). Please refer to page 6 for allowable expenditures. Include a letter of support from your mentor. 2
NUTRITION AND OBESITY RESEARCH CENTER GRANT APPLICATION 1. TITLE OF PROJECT: 2. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: NAME: CAMPUS MAILING ADDRESS: POSITION TITLE: DEPARTMENT: TELEPHONE: DEGREE: _ DIVISION: FAX NUMBER: E-MAIL ADDRESS: 3. CO-INVESTIGATORS OR COLLABORATORS: 1. HUMAN SUBJECTS _NO _YES IF YES, IRB APPROVAL DATE: VERTEBRATE ANIMALS: _NO _YES IF YES, IACUC APPROVAL DATE: 2. DATES OF ENTIRE PROPOSED PROJECT PERIOD (earliest start date is July 1, 2015): FROM: THROUGH: (MM-DD-YY) (MM-DD-YY) 3. COSTS REQUESTED FOR ENTIRE PROPOSED BUDGET PERIOD: 4. NORC CORES WHICH WILL BE USED IN EXECUTING THIS STUDY: Administrative Core Clinical Core Energy Balance Core Chronic Disease Core Research Design and Biostatistics Core SIGNATURE OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: 3
University of Pittsburgh Nutrition and Obesity Research Center Criteria for Eligibility for a Pilot/Feasibility Award Investigators eligible for P/F funding generally fall into three categories: (1) new investigators without current or past NIH research project support (R01, U01, P01) as a principal investigator (current or past support from other sources should have been modest); (2) established supported investigators with no previous work in areas related to the NORC who willing to test the applicability of their expertise on an obesity/eating disorders, energy regulation/expenditure and nutrition related problem; (3) established investigators in areas related to the NORC with a proposal for testing the feasibility of a new or innovative idea but represents a clear and distinct departure from his or her ongoing research interest. It is expected that the majority of the investigators will fall into the first category. The National Institutes of Health defines pilot feasibility studies as those designed primarily for: New investigator without major research support. Established investigator in another field who is proposing a project in which he will transfer his special expertise to the obesity and nutritional sciences research. Established investigator proposing a project which constitutes a significant departure from his/her ongoing research. PLEASE INDICATE WHICH OF THE ABOVE STATEMENTS DESCRIBES HOW YOU MEET THE CRITERIA FOR A FEASIBILITY AWARD _ NAME 4
BUDGET SUMMARY PROJECT TITLE: NAME OF INVESTIGATOR COST Salaries: (List name, title, of individuals, role in project) Equipment: Supplies: Miscellaneous: (List each item with brief description and specific amount for each item) Budget Total 5
TYPES OF EXPENDITURES ALLOWED Research supplies and animal maintenance. Technical assistance Domestic travel when necessary to carry out the proposed research program Costs of computer time Special fees (pathology, photography, etc.) Stipends for graduate students and postdoctoral assistants if their role is to promote and sustain the project presented Payment of research subjects TYPES OF EXPENDITURES NOT ALLOWED Tuition Foreign travel Purchasing and binding of periodicals and books Publication costs including reprints of results of obesity/nutrition related research Registration fees at related scientific meetings Dues and membership in scientific societies Honoraria and travel expenses for visiting lectures Relocation expenses Office and laboratory furniture Rental of office or laboratory space Construction or building maintenance Major alterations 6