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Support for UM-SPH Faculty Pilot Research Projects in Global Health

Under the auspices of the Global Public Health (GPH) initiative in the University of Michigan School of Public Health (UM-SPH), proposals are being solicited for pilot research projects in global health within the period May 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013. It is anticipated that 3 to 5 projects will be funded under this initiative, with a maximum award of $20,000 per project. Applications are invited from faculty whose primary appointment is in UM-SPH, including tenure-track faculty of any rank, and research faculty (research professors of any rank and research scientists). Faculty whose primary appointments are in other units of the University are not eligible to receive awards.

A principal objective of this program is to enhance the level of and capacity for research in global health led by SPH faculty, with a particular emphasis on collaborative and highly interdisciplinary approaches. Projects likely to enhance opportunities for future external funding are particularly encouraged, as are projects which directly engage SPH students. Applications are sought from:

Junior faculty with or without previous global health research experience, as well as senior faculty with no previous direct global health research experience, seeking to identify new global health research opportunities.
Faculty at any rank seeking to build upon existing research projects in new directions to increase interdisciplinary approaches and promote new faculty collaborations.

Junior faculty are especially encouraged to apply.

This program is not intended to simply add to support for existing research projects which are not actively seeking new collaborations and/or new interdisciplinary approaches.

Deadline for Applications

The deadline for applications is 5:00 PM, Friday, March 15, 2012. Submit to: GPHFunding@umich.edu

Notification of awards is expected no later than April 15, 2012.

Submitting Applications

Electronic: Electronic submission of applications is required. To submit electronically, the entire application package must be converted to a single pdf file. The file should be submitted as an e-mail attachment to GPHFunding@umich.edu.

Proposal Format and Evaluation Criteria

All proposals submitted to the Pilot Project Research Training Program will be limited to a maximum of five single-spaced pages, and must conform to the following format:

Abstract (1/2 page maximum, does not count toward page limit)
Specific Aims (1/2 page maximum)
Significance (1 page maximum)
Qualifications of Investigator (includes related research/professional experience of research trainee, 1 page maximum)
Research Plan (must include quarterly milestones and end of year deliverables, 3 pages maximum)
Current and Future Sources of Support (1 page maximum)

Note: Any application that exceeds the five page limit will be returned without review.

Additional Required Sections

In addition to the five-page technical proposal, each application must include the following appendices:

Budget and Justification (submitted using PHS Form 398 budget format)
Curriculum vitae of the faculty applicant
Time Line showing start/completion times of major activities
Documentation of other sources of support during the budget period (if applicable)
References cited in the proposal

Attached as separate file: Completed copy of Human Use IRB application (if applicable and available), OR, a statement from the faculty investigator that, either, all IRB requirements will be met prior to the initiation of any data collection, or, brief explanation of why IRB approval is not needed.

Budget Requirements and Restrictions

Each application must provide a detailed budget and budget justification using the PHS Form 398 format. The maximum amount that will be awarded is $20,000. If the awarded amount is not sufficient to support the proposed work, the applicant must demonstrate the availability of matching funds to assure that all project goals will be achieved. Only direct costs will be supported.

Budgets may include the following cost categories: necessary equipment and supplies, subject fees, travel costs to collect data, and the cost of necessary research personnel, and stipend support for student research trainees. Faculty salary also can be requested, but may not exceed 50% of the total budget request. All combined salary and stipend requests may not exceed 75% of the total project budget. Funding will not be approved for the following costs: secretarial support for pilot research projects, and tuition for research trainees.

Review Criteria

Criteria for the evaluation of applications will include:

Innovative concepts and scientific merit;
Adequacy and feasibility of proposed plan;
Demonstrated ability to mobilize funding from ongoing efforts and previously implemented projects (for Senior Faculty);
Engagement of inter-disciplinary/inter-departmental resources and/or formation of new collaborations;
Potential for expanding or deepening an existent University of Michigan research platform in the target country;
Engagement of students in research;
Likelihood of promoting future grants supported by external funding.

A final report must be submitted no later than June 1, 2013. The final report must include the following sections:

Executive Summary (1 page single-spaced)
Final Technical Report (approximately 20-30 pages, double spaced, plus references and relevant appendices)
Abstracts of submitted or planned publications
Plans for follow-up grant applications

In addition to the above reports, copies of all publications resulting from the project must be submitted to GPHFunding@umich.edu.

For additional information contact either:

Chinyere Neale
Office: 615-3514
nealee@umich.edu

Janet Neice
Office: 764-7852
jneice@umich.edu