Request for Applications: UCLA/CDU RCMAR CHIME & UCLA CTSI Pilot Study Awards

UCLA/CDU Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research
Center for Health Improvement of Minority Elderly (RCMAR/CHIME) and UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)
http://chime.med.ucla.edu/apply
Applications being accepted for three (3) one-year
NIH/NIA-funded Pilot-Project Awards up to $40,000 each, with a project period
from 07/01/2015 to 06/30/2016
Who Should Apply: Applications are being accepted from junior- and mid-level, minority faculty researchers who currently have or will have a faculty appointment effective 07/01/2015 at UCLA or another academic institution in the greater Los Angeles area who are interested in conducting a pilot research project on minority elderly populations.
Funding Amount Available: One-year pilot-project awards are available of up to a total of $40,000 each: 50% funded from the UCLA / Charles Drew University (CDU) Resource Center for Minority Aging Research / Center for Health Improvement of Minority Elderly (RCMAR/CHIME) (NIH/NIA Grant #P30-AG021684) and 50% funded from the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) (NIH/NCATS Grant #UL1TR000124).
Focus of Pilot Projects: Support will be given to pilot research projects that are consistent with the goal of the UCLA/CDU RCMAR/CHIME, which is to provide a research infrastructure of training and mentoring minority, junior- and mid-level faculty who can advance their academic careers by conducting pilot projects that contribute to the reduction of health disparities affecting minority elders. Applications of interest are those in which the applicant proposes to conduct primary data collection and/or secondary data analysis with the intent of reducing health disparities affecting minority elder populations, particularly African-American and Latino elders. Typically, pilot projects that are selected involve developing the evidence base or providing preliminary data for intervention trials that aim to address disparities in the health care of minority elderly populations. Ideally, these pilot projects demonstrate effective inter-institutional and/or academic-community partnerships. We do not fund pilot projects focused on basic science or clinical research (a branch of medical science that determines the safety and effectiveness of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment regimens intended for human use).
Application Submission Timeline and Selection Process: By June 29, 2015, applicants must complete and submit the following required documents:
1. Complete the required on-line application form on the RCMAR/CHIME website: http://chime.med.ucla.edu/apply
2. Email the following required documents as Microsoft Word attachments to Arturo Gongora, RCMAR/CHIME Project Coordinator, at rcmarchime@ucla.edu
A. A two-page Letter of Intent (LOI) describing the proposed pilot project, double-spaced using Arial font 11-point typeface, with one-inch margins, on 8.5”x11”-size page, that must include:
i. Specific aims of pilot project;
ii. Description of proposed pilot project including brief description of project design, and data to be collected or used in the pilot project;
iii. A specific statement about how the planned pilot project is related to the RCMAR goal of supporting junior- and mid-level minority faculty who can advance their academic careers by conducting a pilot research project that contributes to the reduction of health disparities affecting minority elders;
iv. A timeline that documents the feasibility of completing the pilot project in one year;
v. A specific statement about how this pilot project will inform the applicant’s future research and how it will lead to larger NIH or foundation funding;
vi. A description of the proposed pilot project investigators and their roles on the project; and
vii. Proposed mentor(s) and a statement about their involvement and the role they will play in this pilot project.
B. Applicant’s CV.
C. Proposed Mentor’s (s’) CV or newly formatted NIH Biosketch.
D. Institutional Letter of Support: If you do not currently have a junior- or mid-level faculty appointment effective 07/01/2015, you must submit an institutional letter of support from either your department chair or division chief confirming the title and effective date of your appointment, confirming that you having adequate “protected time” during the 2015-16 fiscal year to be able to conduct your proposed pilot project.
Criteria for Selection of Synopses of Pilot Project: Applicants will be selected to submit a full proposal based on:
1. Completing the required on-line application form and emailing the required documents listed above in Section 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D.
2. Meeting junior- or mid-level faculty appointment and minority status requirements;
3. Academic and research credentials to conduct the proposed research;
4. Qualifications of mentor(s) to assist with career development and/or conducting proposed pilot project;
5. Quality of proposed pilot project and feasibility of it being completed within one year;
6. Relatedness of proposed pilot project to the RCMAR/CHIME goal of supporting research that contributes to the reduction of health disparities affecting minority elderly populations; and
7. Likelihood that proposed pilot project will lead to publication of at least one (1) first-authored, peer-reviewed manuscript plus subsequent funding from the National Institutes of Health, particularly the National Institute on Aging.
Timeline for Processing of Synopses:
1. By June 29, 2015, applicants must submit an on-line application on the RCMAR/CHIME website – http://chime.med.ucla.edu/apply – and must email the above-listed required documents to Arturo Gongora at rcmarchime@ucla.edu
2. By approximately July 23, 2015, candidates will be notified if they have been selected to prepare and submit full proposals and supporting documents.
3. By approximately August 8, 2015, selected candidates must submit full proposals including a six-page, double-spaced research plan and detailed budget as well as other supporting documents to Arturo Gongora at rcmarchime@ucla.edu Those candidates whose proposals are selected for funding will be notified as soon as possible and their proposals will be forwarded to the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging (NIH/NIA), which funds the UCLA/CDU RCMAR/CHIME, which must give final approval of the proposals before the funded-award can be dispersed after July 1st, 2015.
About UCLA/CDU RCMAR/CHIME & the UCLA CTSI
The UCLA/CDU RCMAR/CHIME and the UCLA CTSI are based in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. RCMAR/CHIME is currently in its 13th year of funding under NIH/NIA Grant Number 2P30AG021684, and the UCLA CTSI is currently in its 5th year of funding under NIH/NCRR/NCATS Grant Number UL1TR000124.
For more information about UCLA/CDU RCMAR/CHIME, go to: http://chime.med.ucla.edu/
For more information about the national RCMARs, go to: http://www.rcmar.ucla.edu
For more information about the UCLA CTSI, go to: http://www.ctsi.ucla.edu