Research News

Research News - May 8, 2015

May 8, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. New NIH Biosketch Format Must Be Used Starting May 25!
2. Navigating the Grant Process - NIH Progress Reports (Part 4)
3. Core of the Week: Biostatistics Core
4. PCORI Update: Board Approves PCORnet Demonstration Projects; New Methodology Committee Member; Twitter Chat
5. NIH Update: ASSIST Now an Option for R01 Application Submission; Looking at R21 Grant Data; New Inclusion Management System Resource; System Downtime Impacting NIH Awards

EVENTS

1. MGH Research Core Day
2. “Science BITES” CNY Faculty Lunch Seminar Series
3. Save the Date: Steps to Success
4. A Primer on Complex Trait Genetics: Principles for the Beginning Investigator
5. ORCD's Annual Research Fellows Poster Celebration on May 27!
6. Research Faculty Seminar - RCR: Responsibilities of Mentors and Mentees
7. MGH Seminar Series in Cell Biology

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

1. 2016 Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine
2. Pfizer’s Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) - Request for Translational Proposals: Biotherapeutic Targets
3. DF/HCC Spore in Prostate Cancer Request for Applications
4. Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards
5. The Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research: A program of the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation
6. Private Funding Opportunities
7. Limited Submission Funding Opportunities
8. NIH Update for Week Ending May 8, 2015

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Reminders of recently posted funding opportunities, deadlines and events

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. New NIH Biosketch Format Must Be Used Starting May 25!

We've learned from our PI's that the new NIH Biosketch format can take substantial time to build. The issue is primarily the PMCID's on the references. Proposals that do not use the new format will be considered non-conforming by NIH and will not be reviewed. We recommend the YouTube video as a guide.

For more information, visit the FAQs or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm#format.

2. Navigating the Grant Process - NIH Progress Reports (Part 4)

Research Management’s "Navigating the Grant Process" is a series of tips and guidance for Principal Investigators and Department Administrators. Each post in the series will feature a relevant and current topic around research administration .
This is the final entry in a four-part series about NIH Progress Reports.
More than half of our NIH Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR) are due between March and May each year. Accurate, complete, and compliant progress reports are extremely important to ensure continued funding. NIH will not approve your new funding until ALL compliance requirements are met. We find that the biggest sticking points for progress reports are:

For more detail on the NIH RPPR, see their official guide: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/RPPR/rppr_instruction_guide.pdf

Patient Enrollment Tables
You must use the Inclusion Management System (IMS) if your project includes enrolling patients. The IMS is accessed and updated via a link in the RPPR section G.4.b. ‘Special Reporting Requirements.’ If the link to the IMS is not available, your Pre-Award GA will work with you and the Commons Helpdesk. The “Manage Inclusion Data Records” section in the RPPR displays the current patient record and must be updated. Changes from the planned enrollment originally approved for funding must be approved by your Program Officer prior to filing the report. The Program Officer will then update the enrollment table.

3. Core of the Week: Biostatistics Core

Biostatistics Core
Directors: Dr. Dianne Finkelstein & Dr. Hang Lee
50 Staniford Street, Suite 560

The Biostatistics Core provides support to MGH investigators in the design and analysis of research studies. This includes assistance in the preparation of proposals and protocols by calculating the required sample size of the study as well as preparing an analysis plan. Also, assistance is provided in performing the analyses as well as providing database and statistical computing support (including tasks involving website applications), and preparing data reports. The staff includes biostatisticians, data managers, project managers, research assistants, and computing staff.

To learn more about the Biostatistics Core, please click here.

4. PCORI Update: Board Approves PCORnet Demonstration Projects; New Methodology Committee Member; Twitter Chat

Please click here to read the latest news from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

5. NIH Update: ASSIST Now an Option for R01 Application Submission; Looking at R21 Grant Data; New Inclusion Management System Resource; System Downtime Impacting NIH Awards

Please click here to read the NIH Extramural Nexus.

EVENTS

1. MGH Research Core Day

Thursday, June 4, 2015; 1:00 -3:00pm, CNY 149 Atrium area

Please join the MGH Research Community on June 4, 2015 starting at 1pm in the CNY 149 Atrium area to learn more about the Cores at MGH!

Light refreshments will be available as well as a raffle!

If you or a representative from a Core would like to register to participate, please contact Samantha Molle (molle.samantha@mgh.harvard.edu)

2. “Science BITES” CNY Faculty Lunch Seminar Series

Monday, May 11, 2015, 12:00 - 1:00pm, CNY Building 149, Conference Room A, behind Eat Street Café

“Chloride’s point of view in the treatment of neonatal seizures”
Joseph C. Glykys, MD, PhD
Pediatric Neurology
Neurology Department

Bring your lunch!

Contact: JLFuller@mgh.harvard.edu

3. Save the Date: Steps to Success

Presented by the MGH Training & Workforce Development Office

Financing Your Education Workshop - Wednesday, June 3, Noon-1pm, Haber Auditorium

Representatives from the Harvard University Employees Credit Union and the MGH Institute of Health Professions will discuss various options to assist in financing your education.

Education Fair - Thursday, June 11, Noon-3pm, Bulfinch Tent

The fair provides one-stop-shopping to explore certificate, undergraduate and graduate clinical and non-clinical programs, including nursing, research administration, inpatient coding, health care policy and administration. Featured schools include Boston University, Bunker Hill Community College, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Northeastern University, Simmons College, Emmanuel College and UMass Boston.

4. A Primer on Complex Trait Genetics: Principles for the Beginning Investigator

Tuesday, May 26, 8:00am - 3:00pm, Simches 3.110

This event is sponsored by the MGH Clinical Research Program, the Center for Human Genetic Research, the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and in partnership with the Harvard Catalyst

Are you able to keep up with the changing face of genetic research? Have you heard of disease areas that have seen explosive growth in genetic discoveries in the past year? This is an excellent opportunity to learn the essential elements of complex trait genetics and gain the latest insights from expert faculty from the Center for Human Genetic Research and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. This course is strongly recommended for experienced clinicians, clinical investigators, nurses, and other clinical research staff who wish to further expand their knowledge of modern concepts in genetics and genomics.

View course agenda here.

Registration is required. Please contact Jillian Tonelli with any questions.

5. ORCD's Annual Research Fellows Poster Celebration on May 27!

Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Location provided upon registration

The Center for Faculty Development’s Office for Research Careers (ORCD) presents its annual poster celebration for MGH research fellows.

The ORCD's Research Fellow Poster Celebration will take place on May 27, 2015. The Poster Celebration highlights the excellent research being done by MGH postdoctoral fellows. The morning program includes lectures on the 'Trends in Biomedical Science' and 'Research Career Development.' Posters are on display all day.

Please click here to register by Mon, May 18.

6. Research Faculty Seminar - RCR: Responsibilities of Mentors and Mentees

Thursday, May 21, 2015, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, Location provided upon registration.

The Center for Faculty Development's Office for Research Career Development presents a seminar for MGH research faculty.

This Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) seminar will discuss:

What should you look for in a mentor?
When do you stop needing mentors?
How do you make the transition from mentee to mentor?

In this seminar, we will discuss the responsibilities of mentors and mentees, and the characteristics of good mentoring relationships. This seminar will help you get the most out of this critical aspect of your career development.

Responsible Conduct of Research Series: Responsibilities of Mentors and Mentees
Speaker: Jennifer Temel, MD Associate Professor of Medicine; Clinical Director, Thoracic Oncology, MGH Cancer Center and Director, Cancer Outcomes Research, MGH Cancer Center

Please click here to register by Thu, May 14.

7. MGH Seminar Series in Cell Biology

Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 3:00 PM, Isselbacher Auditorium (CNY Bldg. 149-East, Room 7231)

Sponsored by the Division of Nephrology

“Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Cardiometabolic Disease”
Kathryn J. Moore, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology
Marc and Ruti Bell Program for Vascular Biology and Disease
New York University Medical Center

Host: Roy J. Soberman, M.D.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

1. 2016 Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine

The Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine, presented by the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) and the Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals - part of The Harrington Project for Discovery & Development, honors the physician-scientist who has moved science forward with notable achievements in innovation, creativity and potential for clinical application.

This annual prize provides the awardee with:

An unrestricted $20,000 honorarium
The Harrington Prize Lecture, delivered at the ASCI/AAP Joint Meeting
A review, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation

This prize requires Institutional Nomination; MGH is not limited in the number of nominees we can submit. If you are interested, please contact MGH ECOR at ecor@partners.org by July 17, 2015 to be considered. Please contact Erin McGivney if you have questions regarding this process.

Click here for more information.

2. Pfizer’s Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) - Request for Translational Proposals: Biotherapeutic Targets

Proposal Deadline: Send to Partners Innovation by June 12, 2015

CTI is an innovative Pfizer program that partners with leading academic medical centers and patient foundations nationwide to speed the translation of novel targets into potential therapeutics. CTI seeks to identify and partner novel targets with the goal of identifying new compounds and accelerate drug development from validated target to proof-of-mechanism in humans. A partnership with CTI may include collaborative use of Pfizer’s proprietary antibody drug delivery technologies, broad publishing rights and financial awards in the form of milestone and royalty payments for successful programs.

For more information, please see the CTI Request for Proposals.

To See what CTI looks for, click here.
For the CTI Pre-Proposal template, click here.

3. DF/HCC Spore in Prostate Cancer Request for Applications

The Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Specialized Program in Research Excellence (SPORE) in Prostate Cancer seeks applications for a Career Development Award and Developmental Project Award in Prostate Cancer Translational Research. Please note the deadline for applications is Friday, May 29, 2015 by 5 PM.

Career Development Award

Eligible candidates are either in their final year of clinical or postdoctoral fellowship (MD, PhD or MD/PhD required), or hold an academic appointment not higher than Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School or the Harvard School of Public Health. A track record of interest and productivity in prostate cancer research is required. The research plan and career goals of the individual may include the disciplines of basic biology, treatment science, population studies, or outcomes research, but must have a plan for translation into humans, since the purpose of this program is to promote translational research in prostate cancer. Applications will be judged on their scientific merit and/or the potential for contribution to the overall status of the DF/HCC Prostate Cancer Program/Prostate Cancer SPORE.

The awardee will receive up to $50,000 in direct costs for one year for the budget period 7/1/2015-6/30/2016 (although it is possible, depending on the potential for translation and contribution to the SPORE, that the award may be renewed for a 2nd year at the discretion of the SPORE Director), which can be used for salary and/or support of research at Harvard Medical School, the Harvard School of Public Health or any of the Harvard-affiliated hospitals. Funding provided needs to be spent within the budgeted time period.

The individual would become a member of the DF/HCC Prostate Cancer Program and the DF/HCC Prostate Cancer SPORE and would be expected to attend SPORE activities (meetings, retreats, research presentations). Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
Application Materials: e-mail the following materials in a single PDF file to jenny_lutz@dfci.harvard.edu by May 29, 2015.

A brief summary of the research plan (not to exceed 5 pages excluding references) including an Abstract, Specific Aims, Background and Relevance, Preliminary Data, Experimental Methods/Research Plan, Translational Goals, and anticipated time line.
Budget (NIH 398 Form Page 4) up to $50,000 direct costs per year (plus indirect costs using your institute’s federally negotiated rate) for budget period 7/1/15-6/30/16.

FOR INSTITUTIONS OTHER THAN DFCI, SIGN OFF ON THE BUDGET FROM YOUR INSTITUTION IS REQUIRED.

Applicant’s Biosketch (New NIH Format – 5 page limit)
Reference letter from applicant’s primary mentor. The letter should outline the research and career plan for the candidate.
Letter of institutional support from the applicant’s department chair or division chief providing evidence of institutional support and a guarantee of protected time, research space, and office space.

Developmental Project Award

Applicants must be on the faculty at Harvard Medical School or the Harvard School of Public Health at the level of Instructor or higher. Research may span the disciplines of basic biology, treatment science, population studies, or outcomes research. However, all basic research supported by the SPORE must have a plan for translation into application or studies in humans, since the purpose of this program is to promote translational research in prostate cancer. Applications will be judged on their scientific merit and/or the potential for contribution to the overall status of the DF/HCC Prostate Cancer Program/Prostate Cancer SPORE.

The awardee will receive up to $50,000 in direct costs for one year for the budget period 7/1/2015-6/30/2016 (although it is possible, depending on the potential for translation and contribution to the SPORE, that the award may be renewed for a 2nd year at the discretion of the SPORE Director), which can be used for salary and/or support of research at Harvard Medical School, the Harvard School of Public Health or any of the Harvard-affiliated hospitals. Funding provided needs to be spent within the budgeted time period.

The individual would become a member of the DF/HCC Prostate Cancer Program and the DF/HCC Prostate Cancer SPORE and would be expected to attend SPORE activities (meetings, retreats, research presentations). Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Materials: e-mail the following materials in a single PDF file to jenny_lutz@dfci.harvard.eduby May 29, 2015.

A brief summary of the research plan (not to exceed 5 pages excluding references) including an Abstract, Specific Aims, Background and Relevance, Preliminary Data, Experimental Methods/Research Plan, Translational Goals, and anticipated time line.
Budget (NIH 398 Form Page 4) up to $50,000 direct costs per year (plus indirect costs using your institute’s federally negotiated rate) for budget period 7/1/15-6/30/16.

FOR INSTITUTIONS OTHER THAN DFCI, SIGN OFF ON THE BUDGET FROM YOUR INSTITUTION IS REQUIRED.

Applicant’s Biosketch (NIH NIH Format – 5 page limit)
Letter of institutional support from the applicant’s department chair or division chief providing evidence of institutional support and a guarantee of protected time, research space, and office space.

For any questions regarding the application, please contact Kate Perry by email at kate_perry@dfci.harvard.edu or phone (617.632.2033).

4. Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards

Preliminary applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards

What is it?
The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the Assistant Professor level.
MGH is eligible to nominate one candidate.

When is the deadline?
MGH internal preliminary applications: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards - Click here

5. The Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research: A program of the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation

Preliminary applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research.

What is it?
The mission of the Awards Program is to launch the careers of newly independent biomedical researchers with the ultimate goal of achieving medical breakthroughs. The three‐year Award supports newly independent faculty engaged in basic biomedical research. Investigators in the physical sciences (physics, chemistry and engineering) whose projects focus on biomedical science are also encouraged to apply. Clinical trials are outside of the scope of this program however, basic research using human specimens is eligible. In recognition of the importance of research collaboration by the scientific community, collaboration is an additional, but not required, positive ancillary factor. These projects may involve researchers within and/or outside MGH.
MGH is eligible to nominate two candidates.

When is the deadline?
MGH internal preliminary applications: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 – 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?
The Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research - Click here

6. Private Funding Opportunities

Please contact Corporate & Foundation Relations in the Office of Development at devcfr@mgh.harvard.edu if you wish to submit a proposal in response to any of these funding opportunities. Note that proposals are still routed through the standard InfoEd/Research Management process.

Medical Humanities: Collaborative Awards in Medical Humanities, Wellcome Trust
Society and Ethics: Collaborative Awards in Society and Ethics, Wellcome Trust
Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
NAF Pioneer SCA Translational Research Awards, National Ataxia Foundation (NAF)
Innovations: Portfolio Awards, Wellcome Trust

Please click here for further details on these funding opportunities.

7. Limited Submission Funding Opportunities

We ask that all MGH Investigators interested in applying for any limited submission award submit a Letter of Intent (see detailed instructions below) to the MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) by the deadline indicated for each award to be considered to receive an institutional nomination.

Process
Submit a one- to two-page Letter of Intent (LOI) to the MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) via email to ecor@partners.org. In addition to your LOI, please include an NIH Biosketch.

The letter of intent should include:

Name of the Principal Investigator with appropriate contact information
A descriptive title of the potential application
Brief description of the project
Brief description of why you specifically should be selected to receive institutional nomination for this award

In the event that there is more than one MGH investigators interested in applying for each limited submission award, the LOIs will be used to assess candidates and a review and selection process will take place.

Current Limited Submission Funding Opportunities
Please click here for more information and for our internal deadlines.

NIAMS Rheumatic Diseases Research Resource-based Centers (P30)
Career Development Programs in Diabetes Research for Pediatric Endocrinologists (K12)

The two awards below are offered in addition to those that follow the LOI process mentioned above and will require a full preliminary application be prepared:

If there is a limited submission funding opportunity you do not see listed above or you have any additional questions, please contact Erin McGivney at 617-643-6471.

8. NIH Update for Week Ending May 8, 2015

For the latest National Institutes of Health notices, requests for applications, and program announcements, follow this link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/WeeklyIndex.cfm