Research Support & Services: Funding: Intramural Funding Opportunities
BMRC New Initiatives Fund to Support Basic Science Research
Released December 2008
Deadline: Monday, February 16, 2009
Download the Application Form (Word)
The New Initiatives funding program supports high-quality scientific projects of a primarily basic science nature that are specifically aimed at applying innovative ideas or technology to longstanding problems of critical biomedical importance. Projects that establish new, or that extend, existing collaborations among investigators are especially encouraged. In addition, it is important that the projects clearly articulate how this is a novel initiative or research direction for the PI, as opposed to a natural extension of existing projects. One-year awards of up to $75,000 are available for projects identified through competitive peer review as being catalysts for exciting new research. The PI must hold a primary instructional and/or research track appointment in the Medical School. It is expected that competitive proposals will provide a clear statement detailing plans for how the New Initiative funding will lead to submission of an application for external support and the timeline for that submission.
Purpose:
To serve as a catalyst for new research initiatives by supporting projects specifically aimed at applying innovative ideas or technology to longstanding basic biomedical science problems of critical importance. The project narrative should explain how the use of the funding will develop the project sufficiently to facilitate applications for extramural support by the participating investigator(s). In the early stages, projects may be considered high risk, but high impact. Collaborative proposals are especially encouraged, but not absolutely required.
Eligibility:
All full-time, on-campus, instructional and research faculty with primary appointments at the Medical School are eligible to apply. Applications from the following are not accepted: postdoctoral fellows, projects to be performed while the PI is on sabbatical; visiting professors; faculty without evidence of investigative independence and faculty whose work will not continue at the University. Principal Investigators with primary appointments in the Medical School may select an investigator outside the Medical School as a co-investigator, if the co-investigator is directly and intimately involved in the transfer of new technology or ideas to the project’s research problem. Salary support will not be allowed for Co-Is who are not U of M faculty.
Funding Amounts:
It is anticipated that 3 awards of up to $75,000 for one year will be made.
Project Specifications:
- No funds may be used to help resolve cost overruns, renovations or to engage in any sort of retroactive funding.
- The proposal narrative will be limited to no more than 5 pages, excluding references.
- Faculty need to include a letter from their department chair confirming that that the New Initiative budget does not overlap with proposed use of any start-up or discretionary funds.
- Successful applicants will be required to provide scientific and financial progress reports at the end of the budget period.
Submission Process:
Please submit the following materials electronically to (BMRCsubmit@umich.edu). PLEASE NOTE THAT E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT ERROR-PROOF. WE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF ALL ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS. If you do not receive a response from us by the end of the next business day, please call us at 615-8802.
Application materials should be submitted in a single PDF format in the order listed below.
- Application Form including complete signature pages
- Budget Justification
- Proposal Narrative
- The PIs and any co-Is current NIH Style Biosketch including a summary of other support (both current and pending)
- Letter from Department Chair confirming that the proposed experiments are not being covered by existing departmental or discretionary funds.
