NIAID/NIH Centers for Medical Counter Measures Against Radiation Consortium (CMCRC)

 

Call for Pilot Project Applications

 

The Centers for Medical Countermeasures against Radiation Consortium (CMCRC) is now accepting applications for pilot projects. Application forms and descriptions of the current CMCRs can be found at: https://cmcrcniaid.org/content/instructions

Application due date: March 1, 2024

Anticipated project start date: August 1, 2024

 

Pilot project funding is intended to:

  • Foster novel/early ideas within and outside awarded CMCRCs

  • Develop or incorporate new technologies as they become available

  • Encourage collaborations among members of different centers and between the CMCRC and outside investigators (although research collaborations with existing centers are not required)

  • Allow maximum flexibility for the advancement of exciting high-risk, high-reward projects

 

Principal Investigators of pilot projects funded through the CMCRC program in 2021 or later are not eligible as PIs of new projects, but may be included as collaborators. Junior investigators are especially encouraged to apply. Pilot projects must be within the scope of the original CMCRC request for applications (RFA) (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-ai-19-012.html).

 

Proposals should be sent by 3/1/24 to Margaret Zhu at mz2171@cumc.columbia.edu and should consist of items 1-13 below assembled in the following order into a single pdf document:

  1. Face Page (Indicate if PI is an Early Career Investigator within 10 years of degree)

  2. Abstract (30 lines)

  3. Specific Aims and Milestones (1 page max.)

  4. Research Plan: Background/Preliminary Results, Research Design and Methods (3 pages max.)

  5. References Cited

  6. Detailed budget for year 1 (may use NIH format)

  7. Budget justification (one year only)

  8. NIH format Biographical sketch (including other support) for key personnel

  9. Resources and Equipment

  10. Protection of Human Subjects, if applicable

  11. Details of Vertebrate Animal Research, if applicable

  12. Letters of support (optional)

  13. Completed checklist

 

Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of experts unaffiliated with the CMCRC institutions, using standard NIH scoring criteria (Significance, Investigators, Innovation, Approach, and Environment), with weighting given to both innovation and significant translational impact 1) in the context of potential contribution to the overall goals of the CMCRC, and 2) in the field of the proposed research. Research Plans should address NIH rigor and reproducibility requirements.

 

Human and animal protection documentation will be requested as appropriate from projects selected for funding on a “just in time” basis. Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (version H).

 

Notes on the budget:

  • The maximum award is $100,000 per year (direct costs).

  • Funding will be awarded for one year and will not be renewable.

  • As per NIH guidelines, pilot budgets may not include sub-contracts.

  • As per NIH guidelines, the indirect rate for non-US applicants is capped at 8%.

 

Click HERE to download application forms