Request for Applications: Pilot Awards in Redox and Oxidative Stress

RFA for Pilot Awards in Redox and Oxidative Stress 

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: October 22nd, 2021 
  • Anticipated Notification of Funding: November 8th, 2021 
  • Anticipated Start Date: January 1st, 2022 
  • Award End Date: July 31st, 2022 (Deadline for use of funds) 

Overview

The SC COBRE in Oxidants, Redox Balance and Stress Signaling is seeking applications for Pilot Discovery Grants in the areas of oxidative stress and redox signaling. The application is open to any area of research that places an emphasis on how redox and oxidative stress affect human disease. Projects can be at any stage of development. The goal of this year’s Pilot Project Program is to provide funds for junior faculty in order to generate preliminary data for the successful attainment of larger extramural grants. Successful applications will incorporate into their projects the use of Core Laboratories supported by the Center for Redox Biology and Signaling: the Analytical Redox Biology Core; the Cell and Molecular Imaging Core; and the Proteomics Core. 

  • Center for Redox Biology and Signaling:  https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/pharmacology/redox-center 
  • Core Laboratories that are supported by the Center for Redox Biology and Signaling: https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/pharmacology/redox-center/cores 

Eligibility

Junior, tenure-track MUSC faculty who have not previously had a significant grant award (R21 or R01) are encouraged to apply. Investigators with previous redox and oxidative research experience and those investigators new to these areas of research are both encouraged to apply. 

Award Amount

An award of $30,000 in direct costs for a 7 month period (January 1, 2022-July 31, 2022) with an opportunity to renew for a full year with a demonstration of significant research progress. No indirect costs will be provided. 

Anticipated Start and End Dates

The anticipated start date of the award is January 1, 2022, pending NIGMS approval. Any regulatory documents that are required but not in hand, such as IACUC, IRB, or IBC approval, may delay this start date. July 31, 2022, is the deadline for the expenditure of awarded funds. 

Application Documents 

Research Proposal (3-page limit): complete with Background (including preliminary data, if available), Hypothesis, Specific Aims, Study Design, Statistical Analysis Plan and Plans for Future Funding based on the data obtained during the award period. The Research Proposal should incorporate one or more of the three Core labs supported by the COBRE: The Analytical and Redox Biology Core; the Cell and Molecular Imaging Core; and/or the Proteomics Core. A discussion of the project with the Core director is strongly encouraged to ensure that the project goals can be met and to determine Core-related costs of the project. 

Core Directors

  1. Analytical Redox Biology Core: Danyelle Townsend, Ph.D., townsed@musc.edu 
  2. Cell and Molecular Imaging Core: John Lemasters, Ph.D., lemaste@musc.edu 
  3. Proteomics Core: Lauren Ball, Ph.D., ballle@musc.edu 

Description of the use of the Center for Redox Biology and Signaling (1-page limit): Each application should include a brief description, supplemental to the Research Proposal, on how the PI and project will utilize one or more of the three COBRE-supported Core Laboratories: The Analytical and Redox Biology Core, the Cell and Molecular Imaging Core; and the Proteomics Core. 

NIH Biosketch (5-page limit): Biosketches are required for the PI and any co-Investigators above the postdoc level. Standard NIH form and format. 

Other Support (no page limit): A list of previous, current and pending support for the PI is required, including effort and total costs of awards. 

Budget with Justification (2-page limit): Allowable costs: up to 10% salary coverage, including fringe benefits, for the primary investigator; consumable supplies; animals and animal costs; and core facility costs. Applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain estimates for study expenses from the Core directors of the Core that are planned to be used for the project. Publication costs are allowable for studies that result from Pilot Award funding. Student or Postdoc salaries, stipends or tuition costs are not allowable. Equipment or computers are not allowable costs. 

Format Guidelines

Font Type and Size: Arial, 11 with margins: 0.5 inch on all sides 

Submission

Submit all materials (Research Proposal, Description of Core Use, NIH Biosketch, Other Support, Budget with Justification) as a single PDF file to Scott Eblen, Ph.D., at eblen@musc.edu by 5 pm on Friday, October 22nd. Include “COBRE PILOT AWARD” in the subject line. You will receive an email confirmation of your application. 

Review Criteria

Applications will be reviewed internally by a panel of COBRE reviewers and receive external approval from the COBRE Scientific Advisory Board. Applications will be reviewed on the basis of the scientific merit of the proposal; PI track record, including publications; use of COBRE Core laboratories; and potential for extramural funding. 

Acknowledgment of Support

Any publications, abstracts, or presentations that come about as a result of COBRE Pilot Award funding should acknowledge the SC COBRE in Oxidants, Redox Balance and Stress Signaling Pilot Projects Program, 1P30CM140964. 

Final Progress Report

A final progress report is due 30 days after the ending of the funding period. The Final Progress Report should include a description of the results of the study, abstracts and publications, awards applied for as a result of the pilot award, and a list of fund expenditures. The final report should be submitted to Scott Eblen at eblen@musc.edu.