Research News - October 22, 2021

This year we received a record number of images, and we can't wait to share them with you! Be sure to check out the Mass General Research Institute Facebook page starting Monday, October 11, to view all the images from this year's Awards and vote on your favorites! 

Voting will be closely monitored by MGRI staff until October 22nd for the People's Choice category. To review Awards rules, please visit Bench Press. Play fair and have fun!

“Things Happen for a Reason” Jose C. Florez, MD, PhD, Chief of Endocrine Division and Diabetes Unit, shares how his personal and professional life have intimately intersected—and how deeply he values what he has learned from his sisters, whose conditions spurred his passion in genetics and the richness of what it means to be human. View video here. The TEDxMGH videos present inspirational stories from the MGH community, including how people have handled challenges through innovation, resilience, vulnerability, and connection. These monthly 10-12 min. stories by your colleagues cover far-reaching topics – from antiracism and social justice to climate change, laughter, coping with loss, COVID-19, and living and working with depression. View previous videos on the TEDxMGH Apollo page. If you are interested in contributing to this series, please click here to apply.

The Campaign for Mass General publicly launched on October 1, 2021 with the goal of raising $3 billion in philanthropic funds to transform patient care, break new ground in medical research, trailblaze medical education and build healthier communities. This is a pivotal moment in medicine — and for Mass General. We have led the world in health care, discovery and innovation for more than 200 years — and we’re thinking big about the future. Together with our talented staff, our generous donors and our patients, we are undertaking the largest comprehensive fundraising effort in the hospital’s history. To learn more about The Campaign for Mass General and how you can get involved visit campaignformassgeneral.org. 

Are you looking for a new opportunity within the Mass General Research Institute or hoping to promote a newly posted job within your department?  Check out the Research Job Board, powered by the Division of Clinical Research!

All members of the community are able to submit postings or apply for positions. 

Click here to learn more.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Zoom

Provided by:  Mass General Brigham and MGH Center for Faculty Development

"Neuroimaging of Resting State Activity Across Development and Brain States"

The Anne Klibanski Visiting Lecture Series was created to support and advance the careers of women. These lectures bring together faculty from institutions that have hosted Anne Klibanski Scholars with MGH scholars, on topics that overlap both research areas.

Dr. Chen will present on “Functional PET-MR imaging of ‘resting-state’ activity across wake and sleep.”
Dr. Moore will present on “Individualized resting state networks in infants”

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:  

• Learn about the advantages of using resting state data to address research questions as well as its limitations.
• Learn how resting state data can be analyzed to reveal features of neonatal brain development.
• Learn about the spatiotemporal properties of resting state activity across wake and sleep.

Target Audience: This activity is intended for faculty and faculty trainees.
Course Director:  Miriam A. Bredella, MD

Presenters:
Jingyuan Chen, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, MGH/HMS
Lucille A. Moore, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Neurology, Developmental Cognition and Neuroimaging Lab, Oregon Health & Science University

ACCREDITATION
Mass General Brigham is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Mass General Brigham designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Click to register

Friday, October 22, 2021, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Zoom

Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development’s Office for Well-Being

Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises with relaxing yogic breathing techniques to relieve stress, release endorphins and boost immune functioning. What starts as laughter exercises quickly turns into genuine laughter, enhancing social connection and positive emotions. No previous yoga experience is necessary, just a desire to laugh and cultivate joy.

Laura Malloy, LICSW, is a certified laughter yoga leader, yoga therapist and clinical social worker.

-- This session will not be recorded, please attend live session. --

Click here to register

Friday, October 22, 2021, 10:00 – 11:30 AM, Zoom

Speaker: Pamela Richtmyer, Director, Human Research Affairs Compliance and Education Office
This course will provide participants with information on the requirements for clinical trials registration on ClinicalTrials.gov, results reporting, record maintenance, and consequences for noncompliance.  The course is recommended for investigators and study staff involved in the conduct of clinical trials registration and results reporting or those interested in registering research studies to meet ICMJE publication requirements.   *This course is worth 1 RCR credit.

Register here. Please contact Tiereny Morrison-Rohlfs with questions.

Click here to learn more.

Friday, October 22, 2021, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Zoom

The Chester Pierce Research Society (CPRS) is sponsored by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI).  CPRS is a speaker series named in honor of MGH's late Professor Emeritus in Psychiatry, Chester Pierce. Dr. Pierce was the first and most senior African-American physician-scientist at MGH. CPRS is designed to promote diversity and health equity by featuring the novel research of investigators to the MGH community.

Obesity in Pediatrics: Our Understanding and Consideration of Pharmacologic and Surgical Treatment Approaches

Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA
Obesity Medicine Physician for Adults, Adolescents, and Children at the MGH Weight Center
Director of Equity, MGH Medicine, Endocrine Division
Director of Diversity, Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard
Core Faculty, MGH Mongan Institute of Health Policy 
Assistant Professor-Medicine & Pediatrics, Harvard Medical

Monday, October 25 & Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 8:00 – 8:30 AM, Zoom

SESSION 1: Meditation Mondays with Dr. Darshan Mehta 
Every Monday, 8:00 – 8:30 am, Zoom à next session, Monday, October 25!
Co-sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development’s Office for Well-Being and the MGPO Frigoletto Committee

Join Darshan Mehta, MD, MPH, Director, Office for Well-Being for a guided meditation session on Monday mornings. 
Register and add to calendar

SESSION 2: Midweek Meditation with Guest Leader 
Every Wednesday, 8:00 – 8:30 am, Zoom à next session, Wednesday, October 27!
Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development’s Office for Well-Being

Join guest leader, Carmen Alvarez, MHA, Department of Radiology, for next Wednesday’s guided meditation session on October 27th!
Register and add to calendar

Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 8:00 AM – 2:15 PM, Zoom

MassGeneral for Children (MGHfC) is celebrating our 12th Annual Research Day, celebrating Women in Science, on Tuesday, October 26, via Zoom.  The day, which begins at 8am and ends at 2:15pm, includes keynote addresses by Rita Colwell, PhD, and Patricia Donahoe, MD, as well as brief research talks by multiple MGH faculty and video abstracts describing pediatric research being conducted across MGH.    

Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 1:00 PM, Zoom

Join industry experts Laurance Stuntz, Director, Massachusetts eHealth Institute, MassTech (MeHI), Katie Green, Program Manager, Digital Health Sandbox, Massachusetts eHealth Institute, MassTech (MeHI), Julian Goldman, MD, Medical Director MGB Biomedical Engineering, MGB; Director, Medical Device Plug-and-Play Interoperability Program (MD PnP), MGH, and Caroline Coy, MPH, Manager, Strategy Implementation, BWH, present on partner organizations, resources and funding from public resources and engagement opportunities.

Click here to register.

Missed earlier IDEA Symposiums?  Click here to re-watch them at your leisure!

About IDEA Symposium 
Mass General Brigham Innovation Digital Education Academy (IDEA) is a new, year-long program focused on innovation and digital health. Designed for faculty, staff and innovators within our System, each month we will host a special session highlighting key individuals and innovations happening within the Mass General Brigham digital health space. Through this program, you will have the opportunity to: 

• Stay up-to-date and informed on innovations within the Mass General Brigham digital health space. 
• Explore, learn, and understand the potential of innovative digital health solutions to transform research, care, patient experience, and operations.  
• Learn the necessary skills, technologies, organizational enablers, and constraints for successfully identifying, verifying, and adopting new digital health solutions.  

Thursday, October 28, 2021, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Zoom

Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development

Are you taking advantage of all the benefits MGH offers?

If you are not sure, come hear from the Professional Staff Benefits Office about changes for 2022 and to have all your benefits questions answered. Take advantage of this session during the annual open enrollment period which begins on November 1 and ends on November 12!

Speaker: Dee Dee Chen, MS, Director, Professional Staff Compensation and Benefits Office, MGH

A seminar for MGH/MGPO professional staff.

Click here to register

Thursday, October 28, 2021, 12:00 – 2:00 PM, Teams

This month will feature a presentation of how one Massachusetts Eye and Ear lab uses computational and statistical genomics approaches to identify variants, genes and pathways associated with complex diseases.  The second presentation discusses the European Union (US) General Data Protection (GDPR) and data security at Mass General Brigham. This monthly meeting is hosted by Enterprise Research IS and geared for research IT administrators and managers who support research and innovation departments but is open to anyone in the Mass General Brigham community. 

Subscribe to receive the monthly meeting invite if you’re interested in learning more or attending.

Click here to learn more about the Virtual Research Technical Talk

Thursday, October 28, 2021, 12:00 PM, Zoom

Neuroimmune Regulation of Itch
Brian S. Kim, M.D., M.T.R., F.A.A.D. Washington University School of Medicine

Click here to join via Zoom.

To learn more about the MGH Immunology Seminar Series, please click here.

Friday, October 29, 2021, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Zoom

This orientation program will provide a networking opportunity for new clinical research fellows. Dr. Karen Miller will discuss strategies and resources for a successful research fellowship and career at MGH. Dr. Andrew Nierenberg will introduce the Division of Clinical Research (DCR) and describe resources available to support new fellows conducting clinical research.

Course outline:
11:00-11:10 Welcome and Introduction
11:10-11:35 Keys to a successful research career at MGH, including available resources
11:35-12:00 Division of Clinical Research Resources
12:00-12:30: Fellows Q&A

Register here. Please contact tmorrison-rohlfs@partners.org with questions.

Click here to learn more.

Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development’s Office for Well-Being

Fun Fridays offer a refreshing mid-day break from work to indulge in physical, mental, or creative activity.

Delfina will be sharing a solo set of songs of her own that were written during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facilitator: Delfina Cheb-Terrab is a singer and composer based in Boston where she is currently a candidate in the Doctor of Musical Arts program at the New England Conservatory. Her repertoire expands from Jazz to folkloric music from south america as well as her own compositions that feature Spanish lyrics and musical references to folk, pop, jazz and tango and free improvised music.

Click here to register

Monday, November 1, 2021 – Thursday, November 4, 2021

The NIH Regional Seminars, which NIH has held once or twice a year for decades, have been great opportunities to help researchers, research administrators, trainees and others to better understand the NIH grants process. We encourage you to join us as we go virtual once again, even if you participated last year. This free, four-day virtual event covers a broad range of grant policy, program, and process topics from application through award closeout.  Click here for more info.

To view the full four-day program, click here.

Monday, November 2, 2021 – Thursday, November 4, 2021

36TH Critical Issues in Tumor Microenvironment Angiogenesis, Metastasis and Immunology

For comprehensive information about this course, including faculty, schedule, and pricing,
please visit the 36th Critical Issues in Tumor Microenvironment: Angiogenesis, Metastasis and Immunology website
The “36th Annual Critical Issues in Tumor Microenvironment: Angiogenesis, Metastasis and Immunology” course, directed by Professor Rakesh K. Jain, will continue to offer the best in critical analysis of what is currently known about the tumor microenvironment, angiogenesis, metastasis, immunology, metabolism and chronobiology. This will include chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and the role of microbiome as newly introduced topics this year. The faculty is internationally recognized. They will present their latest findings from their clinics and laboratories. The goal is to highlight key gaps in present knowledge of cancer and outline future directions for research at the bench, in the clinic, and in drug development.

The course will continue its four-day online webinar-based live lecture format. Learning formats will include didactic lectures, Q&A and group discussions. The faculty will encourage an open discussion and will provide critical comments on challenges and future opportunities in research in cancer and in establishment of novel therapy approaches and biomarkers to guide treatment. The aim of this course is to analyze and synthesize the most up-to-date findings. Our faculty will present valuable information in a systematic and comprehensive framework, along with a critical review of various measurement techniques. This course is dedicated to helping to improve clinical translation of this knowledge and competence, leading to improved cancer treatment.  

Harvard Medical School’s secure online registration.

Click here to for an overview 

Click here to view the brochure

Thursday, November 4, 2021, 1:00 – 5:00 PM, Zoom

We are delighted to invite you to register and join the MGH Center for Cancer Research (CCR) faculty as we present the Jonathan Kraft Prize for Excellence in Cancer Research on Thursday, November 4, 2021.

Since 2006, the MGH Center for Cancer Research has annually honored a luminary in the field -  an extraordinary scientist, who has made major advances in our understanding of cancer and its treatment, and has been recognized as a true mentor by teaching and inspiring the next generation of cancer researchers.  This year, the 2021 Kraft Award will be presented to Aviv Regev, PhD, Head of Research and Early Development at Genentech, and formerly Chair of the Faculty and Professor at the Broad and MIT, for her groundbreaking work in Cancer Genomics.  Previous recipients of the MGH Award in Cancer Research (preceding the endowment of this award in honor of Jonathan Kraft) include:  Drs. Anton Berns, Joan Massague, Titia de Lange, Bert Vogelstein, Charles Sawyers, Michael Stratton, Craig Thompson, James Allison, and Hans Clevers.  In 2015, Dr. David Allis was the first recipient of the named Jonathan Kraft Prize for Excellence in Cancer Research Award. In subsequent years, the Award has been given to Drs. Joan Steitz, Kevan Shokat, Charles Swanton and Carl June.

Click here to view the full agenda.

We hope that you can join us for this year’s Virtual Symposium, Award Presentation and Lecture on November 4, 2021 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM.

To register, click here.

Please visit the new MGB web page for COVID funding opportunities that provides a central database for researchers to view open and competitive funding announcements.

We have aggregated opportunities from federal and private funding sources including NIH, DoD, CDC, EPA, foundations, and more.  The database defaults to sorting by award amount and can also be sorted by deadline or filtered by research focus.

Upcoming deadlines:

• Well-Being in FTD Pilot Grant (deadline 10/29/21)

Recently added:

• Peace & Recovery Program - Innovations for Poverty Action (deadline: 11/8/21)

Applications are now being accepted by the Mass General Research Institute (MGRI) for the MGH Research Scholars program

What is it?

The MGH Research Scholars program was established with the aim of supporting MGH research faculty who are pursuing research at the level of Assistant and Associate 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.  MGH Research Scholar grants are awarded by the Mass General Research Institute (MGRI). Applicants will be asked to choose one of three categories based on their area of research: 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?
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 – 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.

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. Jane D. 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?
Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - 5:00 PM

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

The Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) is now accepting applications for Interim Support Funding. 

What are they?
Interim Support Funding
The Interim Support Funding (ISF) Program is open to Principal Investigators during a lapse or delay in their research funding from the NIH or another Federal agency (e.g., the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense).  Investigators must have applied for independent, long-term support (R01, R21, U01 and P01). The intent of the program is to rescue strong scientific programs that are in need of bridge funding in order to sustain their research. Applications will be accepted regardless of percentile or score, including applications that were not discussed. Financial need and the impact of the COVID pandemic will be taken into account.

When is the deadline?
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

A program of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Letters of intent are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award

What are they?
The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award supports independent young physician-scientists conducting disease-oriented research that demonstrates a high level of innovation and creativity. The goal is to support the best young physician-scientists doing work aimed at improving the practice of cancer medicine. The Clinical Investigator Award program is specifically intended to provide outstanding young physicians with the resources and training structure essential to becoming successful clinical investigators. The goal is to increase the number of physicians capable of moving seamlessly between the laboratory and the patient’s bedside in search of breakthrough treatments.

MGH is eligible to nominate a maximum of five (5) candidates.

Who should apply?
Independent assistant professors who hold an MD or MD/PhD. Applicants must be within the first five years of their initial full faculty appointment (cut-off date: July 1, 2017). Candidates holding or awarded R01s (or R01-equivalent grants such as the DP2 and DP5) at the time of application are not eligible to apply.

How much is each award?
$600,000 for a period of three years. Funding in the amount of $200,000 will be allocated to the awardee’s institution each year for the support of the Clinical Investigator.

This funding opportunity is not exempt from the 15% indirect cost (IDC) floor minimum. However, ECOR policy states that for MGH investigators selected through a competitive process as the institutional nominee in which the grant will bring in less than 15% indirect cost (IDC), ECOR will cover the IDC gap up to a maximum of $50,000 per year.

The applicant must commit to spending 80% of their time conducting research. 

When is the deadline?  
MGH letter of intent deadline: Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 5:00pm
Sponsor deadline: Tuesday, February 1, 2021 at 4:00pm

How do I learn more about the opportunity?
To see the ECOR letter of intent instructions – Click here
Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award– Click here

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 Fay/Frank Seed Grant Program
• Macy Foundation Faculty Scholars Program
• Mary Kay Innovative/Translational Cancer Research Award
• Packard Foundation Fellowship in Science and Engineering

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, November 8, 2021. For information on application guidelines, click here.
For some awards, MGH receives invitations to submit their own nominations. In this case, MGH faculty must first apply for the MGH nomination through ECOR and a committee at MGH will select the final MGH candidate(s) to submit applications to the foundations. Click here to view a chart of the current opportunities and the Institution that MGH faculty should apply through. Internal announcements are forthcoming for the following opportunities in which MGH is invited to submit their own application:

• Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award
• Smith Family Foundation: Odyssey Award

Please direct all inquiries regarding the application process at HMS to Clare Lamont, Program Coordinator, Office for Academic and Clinical Affairs, 617-432-7463, clare_lamont@hms.harvard.edu.  If you have questions regarding the MGH application process, please email MGH ECOR, ecor@mgh.harvard.edu. 

This funding opportunity will support investigations on any aspect of human sensory systems, or systems-enabling sensory perception, in human health or disease. Proposals on both traditional sensory systems – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch – which gather, organize, and integrate external stimuli, as well as on internal sensory systems (vestibular, spatial orientation, pain, and others) are both welcome.

Proposals can address, but are not limited to: sense functionality, injury, disease states, treatment, mitigation, social and societal impacts, and/or public policy.

Examples include human health-related issues such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Physiology or mechanistic aspects of sensory reception or perception;
• Innate or acquired impairments of any sensory reception or perception system:
  • age-related changes
  • inborn or acquired physical impediments
  • illness or treatment-related effects  
• New therapeutics, e.g., drugs, mechanical aids, gene and cell-based therapies, etc.;
• Impacts on individuals/families/society, e.g., social isolation, depression, ostracization, mental health issues, etc.;
• Legal/public policy aspects, e.g., ADA, accessibility of public buildings, etc.

As deficits in sensory reception or perception may affect several systems simultaneously, such as vision and hearing, proposals describing the formation of interdisciplinary teams to address multi-sensory integration projects would also be welcome.

This RFA is intended to offer applicants opportunities to conduct important translational research across a wide range of topics.

Proposals addressing healthcare disparities and health equity or focus on or actively recruit underserved, understudied, or special populations, and impacts across the lifespan are encouraged.

Areas of inquiry should focus on translational research and human health. Proposals requiring the use of non-human samples/models will only be considered if there is a clear and direct link to subsequent investigation of some aspect of human health. Proposals investigating basic research questions or those solely limited to pre-clinical applications will not be considered.

Investigators from any field are encouraged to apply. Applications are due November 10, 2021.

Please email reactor@catalyst.harvard.edu to learn more or if you have any questions.

Click here to learn more and to apply.

To promote the establishment of a new generation of translational and clinical researchers interested in tackling inherited hematologic malignancy predisposition disorders with a focus on RUNX1-familial platelet disorder. We believe that providing capital to early career investigators not only injects funding to where it is needed most, but also cultivates a new cohort of investigators who will be invested in an area of research that historically has had limited attention.

Aims of research proposals must be relevant to the ultimate goal of preventing hematologic malignant transformation in RUNX1-FPD. Proposals that seek to translate from bench to bedside will receive priority.

Example areas of research interests include:

• Hematopoietic stem cell gene correction strategies that optimize gene editing efficiency, precision and limit off-target effects.
• Determining the drivers of clonal hematopoiesis and progression to overt malignancy.
• Identifying strategies to lower the risk of hematologic malignancy in RUNX1-FPD.
• Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the inflammatory manifestations of RUNX1-FPD such as eczema, reactive airway disease and GERD.
• Defining the role of inflammation in leukemic progression in RUNX1-FPD.
• Determining whether impaired RUNX1-regulated DNA damage response contributes to acquisition of somatic mutations and clonal evolution.

Eligibility requirements (partial list):

• Applicants must have an MD, PhD or dual MD, PhD (DO, MBBS or equivalent) and be within 5 years of their first faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor or equivalent.
• Applicants may have research grants from other funding sources during the award period, but there must be clear documentation of mechanisms to avoid scientific and budgetary overlap.
• Applicants must have research experience working in and a deep understanding of normal or malignant hematopoiesis and/or immunology.
• One resubmission of a previously unfunded application is allowed. 

Citizenship: Unrestricted

Award Amount: $180,000 paid over 3 years
Indirect Costs: None
Research Management Deadline: December 8, 2021
Application Deadline: December 20, 2021

Click here to visit the website and to learn more.  

The Innovation Grant is designed to provide critical and significant seed funding for researchers with a novel approach to pediatric oncology scientific investigation. Proposals should have clinical translation in view. This may represent a change in research direction and/or an innovative new idea that moves away from an investigator’s prior research but for which a strong case is made for the potential impact on childhood cancers.

Eligibility requirements (partial list):

• Applicants must have an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD or equivalent and be appointed as faculty (or equivalent) at an academic institution.
• Applicants must have a track record of publication and funding productivity that demonstrates that the project can be accomplished by the investigators.

Citizenship: Unrestricted
Award Amount: $250,000 paid over 2 years
Indirect Costs: None
LOI Deadline: November 15, 2021
Research Management Deadline: March 23, 2022
(Invited) Proposal Deadline: April 4, 2022

Click here to visit the website and to learn more.

Fostering diversity in the scientific research workforce is a key component of the NIH strategy to identify, develop, support and maintain the quality of our scientific human capital NOT-OD-20-031.

This administrative supplement is designed to provide support for research experiences for individuals from diverse backgrounds throughout the continuum from high school to the faculty level. Continuation of this program in the future will depend on the evaluation of the career outcomes of the supported individuals as well as continuing assessments of the diversity of the scientific workforce.

Please click here to learn more.

Proposal deadline:  November 11, 2021 by 5:00pm

Award decision:  December 20, 2021

Potential candidate must be at the postdoctoral training level at the time of the award. PhD, MD and MD/PhD research fellows are eligible for this award. Criteria for funding are scientific quality, enabling collaboration that might not occur otherwise, potential medical and scientific impact, and career development of the Fellow. 

Combined mentorship and collaboration between two Harvard Medical School faculty members, at least one of whom is based at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, is required. An external collaborator is preferred. It is anticipated that the fellow will perform the majority of their research at the Wellman Center.

The Fellowship will provide one year of support. An award of up to $60,000 direct costs is anticipated. The award will be administered by the Wellman Center. Funds may be used for stipend (minimum effort 60%), fringe benefits and research supplies.  

The fellowship will begin on or about January 1, 2022 and is intended for one full year.  The fellowship review committee will consider a one-time 6 month no cost extension (maximum project duration, 18 consecutive months).Any remaining funds at the end of the award period will be forfeited.   

For additional information and instructions regarding the application process please refer to this announcement.

Application Materials
1. Title page, including:
• Title of research project
• Applicant's Name, Service or Department/Unit, professional appointment title, office or laboratory address, telephone and fax number, and e-mail address
2. Summary of research project (500-word limit)
3. Research plan (5-page limit) to include:
• Specific aims
• Background and significance
• Preliminary data (if available)
• Experimental design and methods
• References
• Potential scientific and medical impact
4. Budget 
5. Bio sketch
6. Other support
7. Applicant’s description of long-term career plans (one-page limit)
8. Letters of Support addressed to Bullock Review Committee stating specific commitment from collaborating mentors, and briefly describing how Bullock support will impact the fellow’s career development.

Applications are now being accepted by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program

What is it?
The goal of the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program is to recruit and retain individuals from gender, racial, ethnic, and other groups underrepresented in the life sciences, including those individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Fellows receive funding to support their postdoctoral training and may continue to receive funding during their early career years as independent faculty. Fellows participate in professional development, mentorship, and networking with their community of peers and the broader HHMI community of scientists across career stages.

How much is each award?
Up to 25 Hanna Gray Fellows are selected annually. During the postdoctoral trainee phase, a minimum of 2 years, fellows will receive annual support of a $70,000 salary for the initial year and a $20,000 expense allowance, paid through the training institution. During the faculty phase,  fellows will receive $250,000 in research funding and a $20,000 expense allowance per year, maximum of 4 years, paid through the institution where they have attained a faculty position.

When is the deadline
December 1, 2021: Applications are due
December 8, 2021: Mentor and reference letters are due
How do I learn more and apply?

• Click here to read more and apply online.

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.

• Neurosurgeon Research Career Development Program (NRCDP) (K12 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• Responsive Grants, Retirement Research Foundation (RRF)
• NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC) Genetic Research Centers (GRCs) (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)
• Limited Competition: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Research Training Grant for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program (T32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) 
• Limited Competition: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Research Training Grant for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program (T32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) 
• Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) for NCI-designated Cancer Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) – NEW!
• Genomic Curriculum Development for Medical Students (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• SUNBEAM – Analysis and Bioinformatics Center (ABC) (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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

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 opportunities.  Note that proposals are still routed through the standard Insight/Research Management process.

Please be aware 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 submitting a proposal.  Training fellowships from foundations, public charity, and non-profit organizations are excluded from this minimum IDC requirement.

Week of 10/22/21

• Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Program, ASN Foundation/American Society of Nephrology. $100,000. Application Deadline: December 8
• Human Nutrition Project Grants, Allen Foundation. $250,000. Application Deadline: January 15
• Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty, American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR). $125,000. LOI Deadline: December 15
• Research Professorship for Diversity and Inclusion in Breast Cancer, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). $500,000. LOI Deadline: December 14
• Single-Cell Biology Data Insights, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative NEW! $400,000. Application Deadline: December 14
• Career Development Awards, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. (CCFA). $270,000. LOI Deadline: November 16
• Research Fellowship Awards, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. (CCFA). $174,750. LOI Deadline: November 16
• Senior Research Awards, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. (CCFA). $347,490. LOI Deadline: November 16
• Keith Michael Andrus Cardiac Research Award, Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance. $300,000. LOI Deadline: January 15
• Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). $1.08 million. Application Deadline: December 1
• Peace & Recovery Program, Innovations for Poverty Action COVID! $450,000. Proposal Deadline: November 8
• Robotic-Assisted Surgery Clinical Research Grants, Intuitive Foundation. $60,000. LOI Deadline: January 7
• Addressing Access to Pediatric Mental Health Care, Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation (KTGF). $100,000. Application Deadline: January 13
• Bridge Grants, National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). $100,000. Application Deadline: November 15
• Discovery Grants, National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). $75,000. Application Deadline: January 21
• Early Career Research Grants, National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). $50,000. Application Deadline: January 21
• Psoriatic Disease Research Fellowships, National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). $50,000. Application Deadline: January 21
• Translational Research Grants, National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). $200,000. Application Deadline: January 21
• Research Grants, Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation (OHF). $200.000. Application Deadline: December 15
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF). $55,000. Application Deadline: January 10
• Research Grants, Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF). $150,000. Application Deadline: January 10

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NIH Update for Week Ending October 22, 2021

PCORI - Click here for the latest funding opportunities from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

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