Research News - September 1, 2017

At 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 5, the ECOR Elected Representatives will again be sponsoring a Research Resource Room in Simches 3.120, immediately following the Research Council meeting.  The Resource Room will have staff on hand from 16 different units and offices (see the list below) to distribute materials and answer any questions you may have.

Postcards will be distributed on which you can collect star stickers at the various resource tables.  Once you’ve accumulated three stars, your card will be placed into a raffle drawing for a number of items, including Research Institute mugs and backpacks and a Grand Prize of a $50 gift certificate good at any of the MGH cafeterias.

On the back side of the postcards there is a space where you can write a question you would like Dr. Slavin to address at the October 2 Research Council meeting, where he will be conducting his “Annual Conversation with the Research Community”.  Even if you aren’t planning to visit the Resource Room, you can still write a question and give the card to one of the ECOR Staff as you exit this meeting.  Alternately, you can email your question to us at ecor@mgh.harvard.edu.

List of participating resources on September 5:

• Partners Office for International Professionals & Students (PIPS)
• Center for Faculty Development (CFD)
• Mass General Research Institute
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Enterprise Research Infrastructure & Services (ERIS)
• Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM)
• Research Space Management (RSMG)
• Research Applications Group
• Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Isuggest
• Partners BioBank
• Research Patient Data Registry
• Partners Quality Improvement Program
• Translational and Clinical Research Centers
• Partners eCare Research Core (PeRC)

We invite you to take the 2017 Partners HealthCare Innovation (now including Partners HealthCare International) Annual Service Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JNRRJ8T

Your thoughtful and candid input will help us improve all aspects of our service to the PHS community and collaborators worldwide.  Your responses will remain anonymous unless you choose to share your name at the end of this survey.  If you do, you will be eligible to win a ticket to the 2018 World Medical Innovation Forum, April 23-25, 2018.  For more information on the Forum and its Artificial Intelligence focus, please visit: https://worldmedicalinnovation.org/

Tuesday, September 5, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, Simches Auditorium 3.110 & Video-conferencing to CNY

AGENDA

• ECOR Grants and Awards:  Tips & Guidelines for Applicants                          
• Insight 4.0 Update - Research

Following each Research Council meeting, there will be a Researcher Resource Room in Simches 3.120, adjacent to the auditorium. Over 15 representatives will be on hand to distribute materials and answer your questions.

**Please note that the September Research Council will be held on a TUESDAY!**

All MGH Researchers welcome!

Tuesday, September 5, 10:30 AM, Simches 3.130

HMS Faculty and Postdocs are invited to attend and learn about HMS Foundation Funds opportunities.

Please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 10:30 AM, MGH Simches Building 3rd Floor, Room 3.130.

Please direct all inquiries to:
Clare Lamont, Program Coordinator
HMS Foundation Funds, Office of Academic and Clinical Affairs

Tuesday, September 5, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, CNY 149, Room 2.204

From chemistry to clinic: Role of apelin and Elabela/Toddler in the cardiovascular system and discovery of biased agonists
Anthony Peter Davenport, PhD
Professor in Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics
University of Cambridge
Director of Studies in Pre-clinical Medicine and Pharmacology, St. Catharine’s College

September 11-14, 2017: Morning Sessions 9:00 - 12:00 | Afternoon Sessions 1:00 - 4:00, Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard. 400 Technology Square, First floor, Schwartz Auditorium, Cambridge, MA 02139

The Harvard University Center for AIDS Research and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard present a 4 day workshop focused on approaches to analyze sequence data obtained from high-throughput transcriptomic experiments. Topics to be covered include study design, differential expression analysis, single cell genomics and transcriptome assembly.  All participants will acquire skills in fundamental computational methods, study design, data interpretation, and overall literacy in bioinformatic analysis useful for the analysis of host transcriptional data. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to bring their own datasets to work on (example data sets will be provided).

How to register or who to contact for more information:

• https://www.events.harvard.edu/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x5128492368
• https://cfar.globalhealth.harvard.edu/
• cfar@harvard.edu

Monday, September 18, 2017, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, MGH Main Campus, details provided upon registration

The Office for Research Career Development presents a seminar for research faculty and fellows.

This panel discussion is designed for early career faculty who are new to the process of hiring and
leading laboratory staff. Topics covered will help you in building the best lab team for your new research
program, including:

• Getting started: who to hire, postdoc or technician
• Getting your team off to a good start: setting expectations
• How to avoid pitfalls and what to do if things go wrong

Speakers: Dennis Brown, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Office for Research Career Development
Timothy P. Padera, PhD, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, HMS
Tal Kenet, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, HMS

Please click here to register by Wed, Sep 13.

Thursday, October 12, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Simches 3.120

Sponsored by the MGH Division of Clinical Research and the MGH Office of Research Compliance

Pamela Richtmyer, Senior Research Compliance Associate, MGH Research Compliance

This presentation will provide a basic overview of clinical research billing.  Attendees will gain a general understanding of the clinical research billing process including:

• Developing a study budget that will cover all costs
• Epic research billing responsibilities
• Determining what is billable to insurance
• Routing charges appropriately
• Insight Patient Care Correction process
• Maintaining financial health of study
• Understanding relevant regulations and requirements
•  Available resources

The Clinical Trial Billing Education Series is provided by MGH Research Compliance for the MGH Division of Clinical Research.

This course is geared towards investigators, research nurses, study coordinators, project managers, and all other study staff.

This program meets the requirements of the Board of Registration in Nursing, at 244 CMR 5.00, for 1 contact hour of nursing continuing education.

Registration is required. Contact Cassidy Peters with questions.

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Tosteson and Fund for Medical Discovery (FMD) Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards!

What is it?
The Tosteson & FMD Awards are intended to support junior investigators (MD and PhD Research Fellows/Clinical Research Fellows) at Massachusetts General Hospital pursuing either fundamental (basic) or clinical research.  

The ECOR Subcommittee on Review of Research Proposals (SRRP) reviews the applications and selects the awardees. The top three applicants will receive Tosteson Awards - named for the longtime Dean of the Harvard Faculty of Medicine - and the remaining awardees receive FMD awards.

How much is each award?
The awards will include a stipend of $47,500 plus applicable fringe benefits and 15% indirect costs.

When is the deadline?
Monday, October 2, 2017 - 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

• Click here to read more and apply online.
• Visit the Tosteson and Fund for Medical Discovery page on the ECOR website here.

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the MGH Howard M. Goodman Fellowship
What is it?
This is an endowed fellowship established by the MGH Department of Molecular Biology in honor of the founding Chief of the Department, Dr. Howard M. Goodman. The award is intended to further the careers of outstanding independent young scientists, who would normally hold the position of Assistant Professor, and have demonstrated the potential to rise to a leadership position in their chosen field. Applicants who hold a full-time appointment in any MGH Department and are primarily engaged in research, are eligible to apply.

How much is the award?
The award is for two years at $150,000, plus 15% indirect costs, per year and is effective April 1, 2018.  

When is the deadline?
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 – 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

• Click here to read more and apply online.
• Click here to see a list of past recipients.
• Visit the ECOR website for other funding opportunities.

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the MGH Research Scholars Program
What is it?
The Massachusetts General Hospital Research Scholars Program was established with the aim of supporting MGH research faculty who are pursuing either fundamental (basic) or clinical research at the level of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor.  The intent of these awards is to support the careers of outstanding MGH investigators doing cutting-edge research that is highly innovative and expected to result in fundamental scientific discoveries and/or clinical applications.  This year, we are asking applicants to choose one of three categories based on the research proposed in the application: Clinical research, Fundamental research, or Population and healthcare research.

How much is each award?
These awards are for $500,000 over 5 years; and will be funded at $100,000 per year, including 15% indirect costs.

When is the deadline?
Thursday, October 12, 2017 – 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

• Click here to read more and apply online.
• Click here to see a list of past recipients.
• Visit the ECOR website for other funding opportunities.

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the
Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards!

What are the Claflin Awards?
Although women scientists are recruited to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) programs, their advancement to senior faculty positions is still far less frequent than that of their male counterparts.  In 1993, The Women in Academic Medicine Committee, originally chaired by Mrs. R. Morton Claflin, Honorary Trustee, was established to facilitate the academic careers of women in science at MGH.  Recognizing that a significant obstacle to career advancement is the difficulty of maintaining research productivity during the child-rearing years, this Committee, with the sponsorship of the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR), established the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards.  It is intended that this funding will increase opportunities for women to advance to senior positions in academic medicine.

How much is each award?
These are two year awards for $50,000 per year in direct costs, plus 15% for indirect costs.

When is the deadline?
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?
Click here to read more and apply online!

Each year several foundations invite HMS faculty and postdocs to apply for their fellowships and grants, which serve as critical funding at the early stages of a research career.  Interested investigators must first apply for the HMS nomination through the HMS Foundation Funds office, and a committee will select the final candidates to submit applications to the sponsors. 

Awards include:

• Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant Program
• Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award
• Dana Foundation David Mahoney Neuroimaging Program
• Macy Foundation Faculty Scholars Program
• Mallinckrodt Scholars Award
• Mary Kay Innovative/Translational Cancer Research Award
• Packard Fellowships in Science and Engineering
• Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award

Faculty and postdocs interested in applying for any of the awards listed above can apply for the HMS nomination by submitting an application online no later than Monday, October 16, 2017 at 5:00PM.

Information on funding opportunities offered through the HMS Foundation Funds is available online at:www.hms.harvard.edu/foundationfunds

Please direct all inquiries to Clare Lamont, Office of the HMS Dean for Academic and Clinical Affairs, 617-432-7463, clare_lamont@hms.harvard.edu.

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

If there is more than one MGH investigator 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.

• Alcoholic Hepatitis Clinical and Translational Network – Late Phase Clinical Trials and Observational Studies (Collaborative U01) – NEW!
• Alcoholic Hepatitis Clinical and Translational Network – Data Coordinating Center (U24) – NEW!
• Alcoholic Hepatitis Clinical and Translational Network – Clinical Pilot Trials (U01) – NEW!
• Limited Competition: A Data Resource for Analyzing Blood and Marrow Transplants
• Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Central Biochemistry Laboratory (U24)
• George M. O'Brien Kidney Research Core Centers (P30)
• Population Dynamics Centers Research Infrastructure Program FY 2018 (P2C)

If there is a limited submission funding opportunity you do not see listed below or you have any additional questions, please let us know at ecor@mgh.harvard.edu.

Please note that any grant that brings in less than 15% in indirect costs (IDC) will need to be supplemented up to the 15% equivalent by existing investigator or departmental sundry funds. Resolution of this issue must occur prior to submission of the award.

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.

Week of 9/1/17

•  Young Investigator Innovation Grants, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
• Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award (AAAAI), American Lung Association (ALA)
• Alpha-1 Research Grant (A1), American Lung Association (ALA)
• Lung Cancer Discovery Award, American Lung Association (ALA)
• Advanced Clinical Research Award (ACRA), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/Conquer Cancer Foundation
• Alan Laties Career Development Program - Clinical/Research Fellowship Award Program in Inherited Orphan Retinal Degenerations, Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB)
• Grant Funding Opportunity In Pediatric Oncology - Independent Investigator and Consortium Grant, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

MGH ECOR Formulaic Bridge Funding Support
Application Deadline: September 7, 2017; 7th day of each month

Partners Innovation Discovery Grant Program - Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cognitive Computation, and Machine Learning
Application Deadline: September 25, 2017

MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards
Application Deadline: October 11, 2017

MGH Research Scholars Program
Application Deadline: October 12, 2017

Boston Biomedical Innovation Center (B-BIC) Accepting PILOT & DRIVE Grant Pre-Proposals

Responsible Conduct of ‘Omics’ Research - September 11
IRB Roundtable: New Submissions - September 14
Lab Management: Building Your Lab Team – September 18
Post Doc Appreciation Ice Cream Social – September 19
Qualitative Coding – September 20
An Introduction to the RPDR Query Tool – September 21
Introduction to the Partners Biobank Portal – September 21
MGH Clinical Research Day - October 5

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