The UC Davis M.I.N.D Institute is a multidisciplinary, translational research center dedicated to understanding the causes and finding effective preventions, treatments and cures for autism, fragile X and other neurodevelopmental disorders. While Institute faculty members hold appointments in many UC Davis departments and collaborate with researchers throughout the university, we also recognize the great potential to expand such relationships, and are interested in promoting new collaborations and research efforts that will advance the mission of the M.I.N.D. Institute.

In support of this goal, the M.I.N.D. Institute announces its 2009 competitive program of pilot research grant funding. This program is designed to foster new collaborations and research studies, as well as the acquisition of the preliminary data needed to compete for extramural funding. It is open to all UC Davis faculty members eligible to act as PIs.

This year’s program will include two types of awards: standard pilot grants ($25,000 maximum funding), and a new consortium award ($50,000 maximum funding).  The latter is designed to more effectively foster collaboration across disciplines and departments, and to expand collaboration between Institute and non-Institute UC Davis faculty, with a minimum of three faculty collaborators.  Inclusion of junior faculty members on team is encouraged.  While not required, consortium applicants are strongly encouraged to actively engage both Institute and non-Institute UC Davis faculty.

Applications to this program are due no later than Monday, May 11, 2009. 

Additional information and a description of the application process follow:

Eligibility – This funding opportunity is open to all UC Davis faculty members who are eligible under university guidelines to act as PIs (PPM, Chapter 230, Section 02).  Faculty members with currently active M.I.N.D. Institute Pilot Research Grant awards are not eligible to apply in the standard pilot grant category.

Funding Period, Budget Limit – Projects will be funded for one year, beginning July 1, 2009. Maximum project budgets are limited to $25,000 for standard pilot grants, and $50,000 for the consortium award. No project period extensions are available without very strong justification.

Application – Applications must include Sections a-c and e-h as described below. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or reviewed. Sections a-e of the application should not exceed five (5) pages. This page limit does not apply to sections f-h. For readability, font should be Arial 11 point or larger, margins 0.5 inch or more.

The following sections must be included:

a. Description – In a paragraph of 300 words or less provide a general summary of the goals of the research project and expected outcomes. This description should be comprehensible to a lay reader.

b. Specific Aims – Include a practical list of specific aims for the proposed research. Each specific aim should have a set of hypotheses or expected outcomes.

c. Background and Significance – Provide reviewers with sufficient referenced background information to understand the proposed research and why it should be of interest to the M.I.N.D. Institute.

d. Preliminary Observations (optional) – Any preliminary data that are germane to the proposal may be included in this section.

e. Experimental Procedures – Describe the research procedures in sufficient detail to assure reviewers that the project is feasible within one year with currently available environment and personnel.

f. References (not included in 5 page limit) – The literature cited should appear after the experimental procedures.

g. Biographical Sketch(es) AND Other Support Document(s) (not included in 5 page limit) – For all key personnel, provide an NIH-style biographical sketch (max four pages per individual), AND an NIH-style other support document.

h. Budget (not included in 5 page limit) – A one-page detailed budget (PHS 398, Rev 11/07, Form Page 4: Detailed budget for initial budget period) and a budget justification are required. NOTE: Budgets should include appropriate time/effort commitment and salary/benefits allocation for all personnel, including the PI, as well as funding for any project-related M.I.N.D. Institute core costs, ex.  phlebotomy or subject recruitment or assessment. Funds for travel are not available. Consortium award applications should clearly outline the essential role/contributions expected from each collaborator.

Submission – Applications should be submitted electronically to Laura R. Lacy, Ph.D., M.I.N.D. Institute Research Administrator, at lrlacy@ucdavis.edu, on or before May 11, 2009. 

Review Criteria – In addition to scientific quality, all applications will be evaluated based on: their relationship to the Institute’s mission, level of innovation, collaborative nature, and likelihood of receiving future extramural funding.

Review Process – The Institute’s Research Oversight Committee will review all applications. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by mid-June; no written evaluations will be provided.

Questions – For questions or additional information about this program, please contact David G. Amaral, Ph.D., M.I.N.D. Institute Research Director, at dgamaral@ucdavis.edu.

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