2022 Award Announcement Will Be Made In May

2022 Competition

Download PDF: SNPRC Pilot Grant Application Instructions 2022

Important dates/Timeline:

Submit Letter of Intent (LOI) February 4, 2022
Notification of Approval to Submit Application February 11, 2022
Submit Completed Application March 25, 2022
Decision Letters Sent April 28, 2022

PURPOSE

The SNPRC Pilot Research program provides opportunities and support for investigators to use SNPRC nonhuman primate resources in highly focused, short-term studies with a high likelihood of enhancing the value, utility, feasibility, and attractiveness of nonhuman primates for biomedical research. High priority will be given to studies that propose to generate preliminary data for applications to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for support of future research projects. Those proposing to develop new nonhuman primate models of disease, or develop and/or test new research methods, instrumentation, or approaches for biomedical research using nonhuman primates, also will be considered responsive to the goals of the program.

 

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Eligibility

Investigators at the Staff Scientist (Research Assistant Professor) through Full Scientist (Full Professor) or equivalent positions at institutions meeting the requirements to apply for, receive, and administer grants in aid of research from the NIH are eligible to apply.

Sponsors

Any applicant who is not an SNPRC Core Scientist must be sponsored by an SNPRC Core Scientist. Applicants will be assigned a Core Scientist Sponsor at the time of review of Letters of Intent. The Sponsor will be an aid in guiding the applicant through SNPRC administrative processes. The participation of a SNPRC Core Scientist in pilot studies funded by this program is an NIH mandate.

Supported Activities/Allowable Uses of Pilot Research Program Funds

  • For the 2022 competition, the proposed research activities may use any of our supported species: marmosets, rhesus macaques, or baboons. However, due to limited animal availability, preferential consideration will be given to applications focused on baboons, non-terminal rhesus/marmoset studies, or rhesus studies that can utilize cruzi positive animals.
  • In addition to preferential consideration for species, proposals that emphasize genetics, bioinformatics, or Comparative Medicine & Health Outcomes are also being encouraged in the 2022 competition.
  • Pilot research funds may not be used to provide support for projects currently or previously funded by other
  • Funds awarded in support of pilot research must be used for SNPRC veterinary services, including
    • Animals and animal care costs (including per diem)
    • Animal research procedures conducted by SNPRC personnel
  • Funds awarded in support of pilot research may not be used to cover costs of supporting

laboratory personnel, supplies, or work carried out at off-site locations.

  • If the project anticipates the use of the SNPRC Research Imaging Core, the applicant must consult with the Core’s leaders, either Geoffrey Clarke  or  Dr. Xavier Alvarez () prior to submitting a Letter of Intent to ensure that the proposed activities can be conducted by the Core and the applicant understands any additional imaging expenses associated with the project that would not be covered by the Pilot Grant.
  • Proposal budgets will be capped at $100,000.
  • Funding for awarded studies expires on April 30,

The steps in submitting a SNPRC Pilot Grant Application are described below:

1.     Complete and Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)

The PI/Applicant must submit a brief (3 page maximum) letter notifying the Coordinator of the SNPRC Pilot Research Program of her/his interest in submitting an application for review at the next deadline. The LOIs will be reviewed by the SNPRC Research Advisory Committee. Following that review, applicants will be notified as to whether they are invited to submit a full application and applicants will be assigned a Core Scientist Sponsor.

Format of LOI:

3 page maximum length, Arial or Helvetica 11-pt font, single-spaced, with 0.5 inch margins all around, on the Pl’s/applicant’s institutional letterhead.

Required information:

  • Descriptive working title for the planned
  • Names, degrees, ranks, and institutional affiliations of the PI/applicant and sponsor (if applicable).
  • A statement of the objective and significance of the intended pilot
  • A brief description of the tentative research
  • A brief statement regarding the role that results from the intended pilot research will play in the support of future applications for research
  • An affirmation that the intended study does not overlap (duplicate) the Pl’s/applicant’s currently funded
  • Signature of the PI/applicant.

Letters of Intent should be sent as PDF files attached to an e-mail addressed to the current SNRPC Associate and Assistant Directors of Research, Dr. Cory Ross () and Dr. Christopher Chen (). Investigators are required to cc these documents and all other correspondence related to the Pilot Research Program to Ms. Deborah E. Newman ().

2.     Full Application (6-page maximum)

  1. Submission components
    • Title and specific aims (1/2 page)
    • Significance and innovation (up to 1 page)
    • Approach (up to 3 pages)
    • References cited (No page limit)
    • Summary budget and justification (1 page). Applicants will be directed to contact appropriate SNPRC Sponsored Programs Office personnel immediately upon notification of an acceptable
    • Biosketches for PI and Key Personnel (NIH format; not included in page limit)
    • A separate IACUC application must accompany the full research proposal. Instructions will be provided to applicants invited to submit full applications.
  2. Full applications should be sent as PDF files attached to an e-mail addressed to the current SNRPC Associate and Assistant Directors of Research, Dr. Cory Ross () and Dr. Christopher Chen (). Investigators are required to cc these documents and all other correspondence related to the Pilot Research Program to Ms. Deborah E. Newman ().

3.     Review Process

  • LOIs will be reviewed and prioritized by the SNPRC Research Advisory Committee (RAC), with the most meritorious invited to submit full
  • Full proposals will be reviewed by the Research Advisory Committee and by additional ad hoc reviewers as necessary to assure appropriate scientific
  • Each proposal will receive a score assigned by each reviewer, and mean scores will be calculated for each
  • Final funding decisions will be made by SNPRC

4.     Awardee Responsibilities

  • Funds are restricted to supporting the research project as described in the application submitted and as approved by the
  • IRB and IACUC approval (if needed) are required prior to the release of
  • Submit reports describing project accomplishments when requested for P51 core grant annual progress reports and 5-year SNPRC is evaluated by the NIH on the effectiveness of the Pilot Program in stimulating new research findings and publications.
  • Important metrics for the success of Pilot Projects include new funding, publications, licenses, and SNPRC may approach investigators for additional details or to present data related to the progress and success of Pilot Projects. Awardees are expected to submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed, scientific journal and/or submit a grant application to one or more external agencies as part of the successful execution of the pilot project.
  • Future, funded nonhuman primate research stemming from awarded pilot funding is expected to be performed at SNPRC when
  • The following support acknowledgement must be included on all publications that result from SNPRC support (funding and/or infrastructure services): This publication was made possible with Pilot Program support from the Southwest National Primate Research Center, grant number P51 OD011133.

 5.     Further Information

Please direct all questions to Dr. Christopher Chen ().