Integrative Medicine Competitive Seed Grants:
Application Instructions

Application Form MS Word Doc.

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All applications must include an application cover sheet, project abstract of no longer than 250 words and narrative that follows the NIH standard application format. The application cover sheet follows these application instructions.

For new applications, the proposal narrative should be limited to 5 pages and consist of the following sections: Specific aims, Background & significance, Preliminary studies and Research design. Budget justification should not exceed 2 pages. NIH format for biographical sketches is preferred. Other support should include all currently active and pending federal, non federal, commercial or institutional funds held by the PI. If the proposal includes collaboration of non-University personnel, e.g. community practitioners, letters of agreement from these personnel need be included.

For previously awarded applications, the proposal narrative should be limited to 5 pages and consist of the following sections: Specific Aims; Completed project activities and/or results; Summary of project challenges and implemented strategies; and Newly Proposed work plan that includes only newly added components of research design, timeline and scientific rationale. Included should be a new budget justification (limited to 2 pages), other support information and/or any letters of agreement that include new collaborations of non-University personnel. PIs do not need to submit a new biosketch.

Applications seeking matching funds for grants from other sources, up to our limit, are encouraged. Preference will be given to applications that include collaborators from more than one discipline and/or include community-based complementary health practitioners or integrative medicine physicians in the planning and/or execution of the projects.

All applications will be limited to one year of support. The funds may not be used to support faculty salaries.

Application Instructions

The application must be completed using a font with the following characteristics:

• Minimum Size is 10 pt.
• Maximum number of characters per inch is 15.
• A ½ inch margin must be maintained on the right and left hand side of the pages.

Applications that exceed page limits or do not confirm to these instructions will be returned.

A complete application includes the following:

• Application cover sheet that includes signatures of the chair or unit head and principal investigator.
• Project abstract (250 word limit).
• Proposal narrative (5 page limit).
• Budget justification (2 page limit).
• Biographical sketches of key personnel-new application only.
• Information on other support available (PI only).
• Letters of support from non-UM collaborators.

The original plus four (4) collated copies of applications must be submitted by Friday September 26th, 2008, 5pm. Applications may be submitted by mail with appropriate dated postmark to, or dropped off in person by 4:45 PM on September 26, 2008, at:

UM Integrative Medicine
Seed Grant Program
715 E. Huron St.
Suite 2E
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104.

Questions concerning applications can be directed to Rita Benn, Ph.D. ritabenn@umich.edu or her administrative assistant, Barbara Johnson barjohns@umich.edu at 734-998-7715.

Application Review Process

Recommendations for funding will be made after scientific reviews are completed by an interdisciplinary research review panel of faculty with expertise in the fields of integrative medicine and mental health.

New applications will be judged on the basis of the:

• Scholarly merit and significance of the project.
• Centrality of integrative health approaches to mental health in the project.
• Contribution of the project to the study and/or clinical application of integrative health/medicine in the applicants' own discipline, or to the field at large.
• Appropriateness of budget justification.
• Innovation.

Continuing applications will be judged on the basis of:,/p>

• Scholarly merit.
• Potential for expansion or continuation of project to provide preliminary data for future funding.
• Accomplishments in previous award.
• Appropriateness of budget justification in relation to proposed work plan.

This pilot grant program is made possible through a gift provided from the Esperance Family Foundation.

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