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Open Call Funding Opportunities

Open call opportunities should be submitted directly to the sponsor organization listed below.

This list is not exhaustive in any way, it is meant only to highlight opportunities that were brought to our attention.
Please visit each sponsor's site for more information.
 
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Current Opportunities
 
Sponsor:         The Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award
Program:        2012 Beckman Award (Trustee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.)
Amount:         $25,000
Deadline:        May 31, 2012
 

The Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Advisory Committee is currently seeking nominations for the 2012 Beckman Award. Each recipient will receive a one-time cash award of $25,000. Preference will be given to educators who teach or who taught in the fields of psychology, medicine, or law. The Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Trust was established in 2008 under the will of Gail McKnight Beckman in memory of her mother, Dr. Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serves as Trustee. Ms. Beckman created the Beckman Award to benefit teachers who have inspired their former students to make a difference in their communities. The award is given to current or former academic faculty members who have influenced their past students to "create an organization which has demonstrably conferred a benefit on the community at large." Alternatively, academic faculty members must have motivated their previous students to “establish on a lasting basis a concept, procedure, or movement of comparable benefit to the community at large.” Each year the advisory committee prescreens the nominees for qualification. The former students of those nominees who are determined to be eligible will then be invited to submit an application package.

Additional Information:    

Beckman Award

Contact:

Paula Hovater
Public Affairs
770-998-1106

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Sponsor:         The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
Program:        HHMI Investigator National Competition
Deadline:        June 13, 2012

The Howard Hughes Medical Institue (HHMI) seeks to appoint up to 30 new biomedical researchers through a national open competition. The initiative represents an investment of approximatley $200 milliosn in basic biomedical research by the Institute. This HHMI investigator competition is open to scientists at more than 200 eligible institutions who study significatn biological problems in all the biomedcal disciplines, as well as in adjacent fields such as biophysics, chemical biology, biomedical engineering, and computational biology. Plant scientist, experimental evolutionary biologists, and patient-oriented researchers are welcome to apply.

Sucessful candidates are expected to meet the following criteria:

 

  • Hold a Ph.D. and/or M.D. or equivalent degree

 

  • Hold a tenured or tenure-track position as Assistant Professor or higher academic rank (or the equivalent) at an eligible institution.

 

  • Have more than 5 but no more than 15 years of experience since appointment as an assistant professor or equivalent position.

 

Those selected in this competition will receive a five-year appoiontment to HHMI, which is renewable pending favorable scietific review. Apply directly to the Institute.

Additonal Information:

HHMI Investigator Competition

See attached document below for key points and additonal program information. 

Contacts:

            Jim Keeley
            (301) 215-8858
            keeleyj@hhmi.org

 

            Jennifer Michalowski
            (301) 215-8576
            michalow@hhmi.org
 
            sciencecomp@hhmi.org
 
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Program:  UCSD Extension Intensive Program in Medicinal Chemistry

The UCSD Extension intensive program in medicinal chemistry runs March 12-16 this year.  They offer a 50% tuition discount for graduate students and postdocs.  For further information, follow the links below

http://extension.ucsd.edu/studyarea/index.cfm?vAction=singleCourse&vCourse=BIOL-40116
http://extension.ucsd.edu/studyarea/pdf/BIOL_40116_Course_Outline.pdf

UCSD contact for questions or more information:

Felicia Murray at UCSD Extension - (858) 534-935

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Program: INTERNATIONAL PILOT GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

Deadline:             Monday, April 2, 2012

Amount:              $40,000

 

Robert Schooley, MD

Steffanie Strathdee, PhD

Co-Directors, CFAR International Core          

Douglas Richman, MD

Director, Center for AIDS Research

 

Applications for the UC San Diego Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) International Pilot grants are due Monday, April 2, 2012, and are offered for a maximum of US$40,000 for one year. Preference will be given to supporting projects based in Mexico and Mozambique, and funds are also available to support meritorious projects in Brazil, India, Kenya, South Africa, or Zimbabwe.

The application form and instructions are available at http://cfar.ucsd.edu/cfar-grants/international-pilot-grants/application.

At least 50% of the requested funding must be allocated for use in the foreign investigator's home country. Collaboration with a UC San Diego CFAR member is required. For full details, please visit http://cfar.ucsd.edu/cfar-grants/international-pilot-grants.

NOTE: These grants cannot be used to support postdoctoral fellows, nor can they be used to support clinical trials or studies involving new drugs, treatments, or devices, or off-label use of a licensed drug.

International Pilot grants are intended to facilitate and encourage foreign investigators to develop new ideas related to HIV/AIDS research. The goal is to promote projects that will generate peer-reviewed publications and independent funding and foster long-term collaborations between foreign investigators and faculty at UC San Diego and our CFAR affiliates (the VA San Diego Healthcare System, the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, and the Salk Institute). Pilot projects are expected to yield strong preliminary data and publications to support subsequent NIH grant submissions. The international investigators must be based at institutions that have established collaborations with one or more UC San Diego CFAR members. Collaborations will be verified for each application.

Successful applications for International Pilot Grants will be funded for one year beginning after the NIH has approved the study (see instructions). Review criteria will focus primarily on scientific merit and feasibility. Additional consideration will be given to the relevance of the research proposed to the setting in which it will be undertaken and to the extent to which the project will enhance the human infrastructure for research in the collaborating institution.

UCSD contacts for questions or more information:

Bryna Block (blblock@ucsd.edu)

UC San Diego Center for AIDS Research (cfar@ucsd.edu).

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Sponsor:                          Blasker Rose-Miah
Program:                         Blasker Rose-Miah Fund Opportunities for Young Investigators
 
The Blasker-Rose-Miah Fund was established at The San Diego Foundation “to nurture and develop unique and innovative discoveries and experiences which may be of benefit to all mankind, and to support and encourage individuals with high potential in the scientific, engineering, and medical fields to reach their full potential in their chosen areas of study, work, and analysis.” Emphasis is placed on supporting students and early-career scientists.  Early-career scientists are defined as those scientists at the critical early stage of their research programs, generally graduate students, postdoctoral and pre-tenured scientists.

Grants will support projects that have the potential to improve the quality of life in the San Diego region, and to support and encourage San Diegans to reach their full potential. Preference will be given to projects that facilitate collaboration between university researchers and local nonprofits whose work helps to advance either of the Blasker Rose-Miah  program areas. 
 
Projects may include but are not limited to: internships, fellowships, and promotion of mentorship (no scholarships). Preference will be given to individuals who have attended and graduated from a high school in San Diego County and are continuing their studies at an institution in San Diego County. Additional preference will be given to projects that enhance collaboration between university researchers, local nonprofits and/or community residents engaged in environmental work.
 
DEADLINE:  submit via online portal no later than 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 9, 2012
 
Environment Blasker

Awards from the Environment Blasker Grant Program will help to advance The Foundation’s Climate Initiative, by supporting research that enhances our understanding of how to address climate change in the San Diego region. Grant applicants are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $50,000. Multi-year proposals may be considered where proposed project timelines exceed one year. To be eligible, proposed projects should:
  • Advance innovative and creative scientific projects or research.
  • Foster the development of individuals with high potential in the scientific, medical, and engineering fields to reach their potential in their chosen areas of study, work, and analysis.
  • Be conducted in and have practical application for the San Diego region.
  • Focus on:
    •  (1) the potential local impacts of global climate change (i.e., in areas such as extreme weather patterns, biodiversity and ecosystems, fire ecology and environmental health), and
    • (2) ways to reduce our local greenhouse gas emissions and minimize climate change impacts.
 
Environment Guidelines:

Science and Technology Blasker
The San Diego Foundation has made a significant commitment to funding innovative research and emerging scientists, and supporting science and mathematics education, and access to technology in the San Diego region. To meet this aim, The Foundation established the Science and Technology Working Group, which is composed of community experts in science, technology and education. The mission of this group is to improve knowledge in the fields of science and technology, identify the areas of greatest need and opportunity for improvement, and convene members of the community around critical issues. Grant applicants are encouraged to apply for grants up to $75,000.  To be eligible, proposed projects should:
  • Advance innovative, unique and creative scientific projects or research.
  • Foster the development of individuals with high potential in the scientific, medical, and engineering fields to reach their potential in their chosen areas of study, work and analysis.
  • Emphasis is placed on projects that stimulate and encourage early-career scientists with high potential. Previous award recipients may reapply and may be considered for funding in subsequent years, provided they still meet all other guideline criteria and have met the reporting obligations under their previous award.
  • Be conducted in and have practical application for the San Diego Region.
 
 
Emily Young, Ph.D, Senior Director, Environment Analysis & Strategy
Emily works with community volunteers, donors and other foundations to direct charitable giving to the region’s critical environmental needs. Her work at The Foundation is focused in three areas: conservation of globally significant, biodiversity hotspots in Southern California, community-based efforts to eliminate toxic substances which revitalize green spaces, and regional efforts to address climate change through mitigation and adaptation. Before she joined The Foundation, Dr. Young was an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, where she taught courses on environment and society, geography, and Latin America. She also lived and worked in Baja California, Mexico, where she conducted field research on wildlife protection, community-based conservation, and sustainable development in coastal areas of Baja California. Along with professional work, Emily has volunteered and served on boards for a variety of environmental organizations and advisory committees. Dr. Young was recently awarded the 2011 Nicholas P. Bollman Award, which recognizes Smart Growth Leaders Who Inspire through Values and Actions.
 
This information program is a cooperative service opportunity coordinated by the UC San Diego Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations with the San Diego Foundation.
 
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Sponsor:            The Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Program:            Career Guidance for Trainees
 
 
The foundation will hold a conference call to provide further information about the current solicitation for proposals related to Career Guidance for Trainees.

The call will be at 3:00 PM EST on January 31, 2012.
Dial-in numbers is:  USA:  1-800-351-6802
 
Beyond the traditional tenure track, there are few clear pathways for transition from bench training to the kinds of stable jobs that put scientists’ knowledge, skills, and intellectual energy to good use.
 
This solicitation encourages institutions to develop resources and/or activities that will help trainees better acknowledge and acquire the skills expected of highly educated workers outside traditional scientific careers, or better understand pathways leading to academic, industrial, and other traditional science careers.
 
The Career Guidance for Trainees (CGT) institutional award provides from $30,000 to $50,000 support over a one-year period for projects that improve trainees’ readiness for stable, fulfilling careers and that have potential for being affordably deployed at a larger scale.
 
Eligible proposals will include the rationale/vision for the project, including who it is intended to impact and how it will change their career readiness. Proposals will also describe, in detail, the project, how it will be delivered to trainees, strategies for evaluating its potential impact, and if successful, how the project could be expanded to reach more trainees. Partnerships between institutions or organizations are encouraged, but those not involving partnerships are also invited. Degree-granting institutions or other science-focused non-profits in the U.S. or Canada are eligible to apply and may submit multiple proposals.  For-profit companies may not submit applications, but may partner with non-profit organizations in proposed activities.
 
The application deadline is March 15, 2012.
 
For those who have already discussed potential applications with the program officer, this call will cover the same kind of information that you will have received in that earlier conversation.
 
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Sponsor:  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
 
Programs:  Preventing Preterm Birth Grant Opportunity
                 Due by January 31, 2012
 
The program will invest US $20 million in the discovery and development of interventions to prevent preterm birth and stillbirth by limiting infection and improving nutrition. For more information: http://gappsseattle.org/index.php/research/healthy_birth/
 
RELATED OPPORTUNITY FROM THEIR PARTNER:
 
Sponsor:     The Grand Challenges Team
Program:     Rising Stars in Global Health
                   Due by March 23, 2012
 
Grand Challenges Canada is seeking emerging innovators (within 10 years of graduation from a Masters level or PhD) from developing countries. The program is looking for innovative ideas to address complex real >world challenges that involve a scientific or technological solution (new or>existing) alone or in combination with social and/or business innovations. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/sFPYsT
 
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Sponsor:             Global Probiotics Council (GPC)
Program:             Young Investigator Grant for Probiotics Research (YIGPRO)
Deadline:             February 15, 2012
Amount:              $50,000
Details:                The purpose of the two annual grants of $50,000 each is to contribute to the advancement of probiotics and gastrointestinal microbiota research in the United States, and to attract promising, young researchers to this field of study. Young investigators who are senior fellows with a committed faculty appointment or an early faculty member within five consecutive years of their first appointment who are interested in understanding the health benefits of probiotics and the relationship between probiotics, gastrointestinal microbiota, and the body are encouraged to apply. For more information: www.probioticsresearch.com
 
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Sponsor:             The National MS Society
Programs:            Several funding options are available through Fast Forward.
 
Fast Forward deploys an innovative funding model, one that creates availability through both a General Fund as well as a Collaborative Fund approach. This unique model offers a wide range of available funding, on a rolling RFP basis as well as additional, specific RFP cycles. To find out about available funding now, or to submit a proposal, click here.
                                                                               
  • Development of therapeutics that target specific B cell lineages involved in MS pathology
  • Identification of surrogate or endogenous ligands for Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) expressed exclusively or primarily in the central nervous system (CNS) that relate to the pathology of MS
  • Fatigue
  • Pain
  • Cognitive Impairment
 
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Sponsor:          Michelson Prize & Grants
Program:          Michelson Prize
Details:             The $25 million Michelson Prize will be offered to the first entity to provide the foundation with a safe and effective non-surgical sterilant for male and female cats and dogs. Grant funding of up to $250,000 per year per grant is available through the Michelson Grants to fund research in pursuit of this goal.  
 
Sponsor:           Michelson Prize & Grants
Program:           Michelson Graduate Student Challenge
Amount:            $15,000
Details:              US Graduate students with the top proposals in three categories (gene silencing, depot formulation, and engineering/ materials science approaches to non-surgical sterilization of cats and dogs) will be awarded a $15,000 cash prize and will have the opportunity to apply for grant funding for their proposal in collaboration with a faculty advisor.
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Sponsor:            TravelNursing.org
Program:            Scholarship
Amount:             $1000
Details:               Every 6 months the organization will grant a $1000 scholarship to a potential medical professional who provides the best essay on what they would like to accomplish in the medical field during their career. The first recipient will be selected on February 10th, 2012. http://www.travelnursing.org/nursing-scholarship.php
 
 Sponsor:              Department of Defense
Program:             Fundamental Research to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction Broad Agency Announcement (BAA):
Deadline:             There are a total of 15 open windows (approximately 3 per year), and submissions may occur at any time during those open window periods. See sponsor site for more information.
 
Brief Description:
 
Fundamental Research to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction Broad Agency Announcement (BAA): The purpose of this BAA is to solicit proposals for the Research and Development, Fundamental Research program: This BAA is an extramural endeavor that combines fundamental research needs of DTRA and other DoD interests. DTRA safeguards America and its allies from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and provide capabilities to reduce, eliminate and counter the threat and effects from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosives. DTRA seeks to identify, adopt, and adapt emerging, existing and revolutionary sciences that may demonstrate high payoff potential to Counter-WMD (C-WMD) threats. This announcement solicits white papers for long-term challenges in specific fundamental areas of research that offer a significant contribution to the current body of knowledge, understanding of phenomena and observable facts, significantly advance revolutionary technology, new concepts for technology application, and may have impact on future C-WMD capabilities. There are a total of 15 open windows (approximately 3 per year), and submissions may occur at any time during those open window periods. Grants are the preferred procurement instrument, but contracts and other transaction agreements (OTAs) may be proposed, as well. The Government reserves the right to award any combination of approaches which offer the best overall value to the Government.
 
This opportunity has a strong infectious diseases component, including areas like infectious diseases reporting and epidemiology; therapeutics for Dengue virus, hepatitis E, hemorrhagic fevers. It also includes the challenge of countering chemical weapons.
 
BAA Duration: Sep 2009 - Sep 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsor:              The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Program:             USAID University Engagement through Higher Education Institutions
Deadline:             The final RFA is anticipated in early February, with applications due April 3, 2012
 
Brief Description:
 
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has issued the attached DRAFT RFA for a new funding opportunity: USAID University Engagement through Higher Education Institutions.
 
The final RFA is anticipated in early February, with applications due April 3, 2012.  This looks to be a high-value limited submission funding opportunity. We are seeking clarification from the sponsor about the number of applications UCSD may submit. We will send additional information and internal (campus) application instructions as soon as possible following the release of the finalized RFA.
 
Those interested may wish to register at http://universityengagement.usaid.gov/ for an informational webinar to be held January 30 (Monday) 10 am-12 noon Pacific time. The agency says that video and transcripts will be posted at a later date.
 
Through cooperative agreements USAID will fund two types of "Centers" that will help USAID improve its analytical capabilities in understanding development challenges; create revolutionary approaches in addressing development problems; catalyze new tools within science, technology, and engineering; and promote entrepreneurship to sustain and scale these tools and approaches.
 
The two Center types and corresponding anticipated funding levels are as follows:
•             Consortium Centers, up to $5M/y X 5 years
•             Single Institution Centers, up to $2M/y X 5 years
 
Multiple awards are anticipated. Cost-sharing is required.
 
Both types of Centers should focus on one or more of the following core objectives:
1.            Development Labs & Analytics.
2.            Grand Challenges & New Models for Development.
3.            Support Science, Technology, and Engineering for Development.
 
USAID is seeking creative, science-based approaches that are directed toward the 7 Core Development Objectives outlined in USAID's 2011-2015 Policy Framework.   Increase Food Security
•             Promote Global Health and Strong Health Systems
•             Reduce Climate Change Impacts and Promote Low Emissions Growth
•             Promote Sustainable, Broad-Based Economic Growth
•             Expand and Sustain the Ranks of Stable, Prosperous, and Democratic States
•             Provide Humanitarian Assistance and Support Disaster Mitigation
•             Prevent and Respond to Crises, Conflict, and Instability
 
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PAST Opportunities

 

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
 
NIH has posted the Request for Applications for the Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program, which is a new initiative created to support the research activities during the early stage careers of independent clinical researchers. The program "offers the opportunity for a unique bridge between the NIH intramural and extramural research communities, and contains two phases. In the first phase, Lasker scholars will receive appointments for up to 5-7 years as tenure-track investigators within the NIH Intramural Research Program with independent research budgets. In the second phase, successful scholars will be eligible to apply for up to 5 years of NIH support for their research at an extramural research facility; or, the scholar can be considered to remain as an investigator within the intramural program."
 
Applications are due by January 24, 2011 and letters of intent by December 23, 2011.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-12-001.html
 
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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
 
RFA: "Research Centers in Primary Care Practice Based Research and Learning."
Up to $600,000 in total costs in FY2012 to support up to 5 awards.
Application due date is January 26, with letters of intent due on January 6.
Purpose. This FOA solicits Center Core grant (P30) applications from organizations with a demonstrated track record of success in conducting research in primary care PBRNs.  Each successful applicant will serve as a Research Center in Practice-Based Research and Learning.  These Each Center must have at least 120 primary care member practices and may either consist of 1) a primary organization with 3 or more affiliated regional PBRNs(including a PBRN affiliated with the primary organizations); or 2) be a national PBRN organized around shared resources and research infrastructure.  It is expected that each Center will foster a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.  By leveraging common resources, it is expected that either the consortium of PBRNs or the national PBRN will demonstrate greater productivity and will develop and conduct independent research projects more quickly than they would as separate PBRNs without a central infrastructure and collaborative partners. AHRQ is particularly interested in supporting an infrastructure that would accelerate both the generation of new knowledge and a community of learning for primary care practices to improve quality, patient safety and effectiveness of care.  This funding opportunity provides no funds for specific research projects.  The funds to be awarded are intended to strengthen the research and dissemination infrastructure of each Center.  It is expected that as a result of this funding, Centers will be more equipped to compete for research funding from AHRQ and other funders and be better able to conduct primary care practice-based research and support quality improvement in member practices.  Additionally, AHRQ intends to publish future “rapid-cycle” FOAs describing research projects that will be limited to funded Centers because of the cohesive infrastructure required to respond to these rapid-cycle funding opportunities.

 

 

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Clinical Research Forum's Annual Top 10 Outstanding Accomplishments in Clinical Research

Background: The United States makes a substantial annual investment in biomedical research with the hope that these funds will ultimately improve our nation's health.  This investment has significantly improved the longevity of our population, increased their productivity, and fueled America's national and international pioneering of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.  Over the past 70 years, this funding of the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and National Science Foundation have made substantial returns on this investment to our nation.

Balanced investments in both basic and clinical research were ultimately required to eliminate many infectious diseases like polio; stem the HIV epidemic; and lead to the current improving survival rates from cancer.  However, due to the increasing complexity, cost and difficulties of human research, translating basic advances into improved clinical care has become increasingly problematic.  Recognizing both the growing nature of this problem and the need to celebrate our nation's accomplishments that involve both innovation and impact upon human disease, the Clinical Research Forum has established a national competition to determine ten outstanding Clinical Research Accomplishments in the United States annually.  These major research advances represent a portion of the annual return on the nation's investment in the health and future welfare of its citizens.

As part of the process, deans/senior AHC leaders and research area experts are invited to nominate outstanding research projects that demonstrate innovation, creativity and advancement of science; contribute to the understanding of human disease and/or human physiology; and/or demonstrate impact upon the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment; or increase understanding of a disease state.

The top ten clinical research achievements will be highlighted at the Forum's Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner(April 18-19, 2012). The top accomplishment will receive the "Herbert Pardes Clinical Research Excellence Award" with a monetary component.  The key investigator of each study will participate in a press conference and have the opportunity to present the research during the meeting.  The accomplishments will also be included in a report to Congress demonstrating the national clinical research return on investment.
 
Please visit sponsor's site for more information.
The nomination deadline is January 1, 2012.
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Pacific Southwest Regional Center of Excellence_Dev Research.PDF64.81 KB
2012 Samsung GRO RFP Themes Subject Areas (2).pdf1.06 MB
HHMI-Investigator2013-key-points.pdf103.58 KB