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. Institute faculty members hold appointments in many UC Davis departments and collaborate with researchers throughout the university. Still, we 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 2008 competitive program of pilot research grant funding. This program is designed to foster new collaborations and research studies that are consistent with our mission, 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. Applications are due no later than March 31, 2008. The Institute’s Research Support Committee (RSC) will review all applications; this committee is comprised of M.I.N.D. Institute members, faculty from related departments at UC Davis and community members. Additional information and an outline 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). Those faculty with currently active M.I.N.D. Institute Pilot Research Grant awards are not eligible to apply.
 
Funding Period, Budget Limit – Projects will be funded for one year, beginning July 1, 2008, with maximum project budgets limited to $25,000. No project period extensions are available. Because of this program’s limited funding, budgets will be carefully reviewed by the RSC.

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) NIH-style continuation pages (PHS 398/2590, Rev 11/07 - Continuation Page). 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 audience.

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 is 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) (not included in 5 page limit) – Provide an NIH-style biographical sketch for all key personnel (PHS 398/2590, Rev 11/07– Biographical Sketch form, limited to four pages per individual).

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 one-page 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.

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 March 31, 2008. 

Review Criteria – In addition to scientific quality, 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 Support Committee (RSC) will review all applications; this committee is comprised of M.I.N.D. Institute members, faculty from related departments at UC Davis and community members.  Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by mid- May; 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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