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Request for Pilot and Exploratory Study Proposals: Mobility and Prevention of Disability

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We are seeking interdisciplinary Pilot and Exploratory Study (PES) applications which address the Mobility and Prevention of Disability!

Successful applications should collect pilot data that will lead to extramural research grants and/or career development awards

Release Date: November 8th, 2019
Letter of Intent due January 21st, 2020
Full Application due April 6th, 2020

Pepper

Request for Pilot and Exploratory Study Proposals from the University of Florida Claude D. Pepper Older American’s Independence Center focused on

Mobility and Prevention of Disability

Release Date: November 8th, 2019 Letter of Intent due January 21th, 2020 Full Application due April 6th, 2020

RFA information workshop

** December 9, 2019 from 9-11am, CTRB 3161/62**Who should apply? What types of projects are funded?
The University of Florida Claude D. Pepper Older American’s Independence Center (OAIC), Director Marco Pahor, MD, is seeking innovative, interdisciplinary Pilot and Exploratory Study (PES) applications which address the above-mentioned focus. Successful applications should collect pilot data that will lead to extramural research grants and/or career development awards.

What are the evaluation criteria?

Basic science and clinical research studies are encouraged, may originate from investigators at any College within the University of Florida, and can include collaborations with other institutions, particularly those with OAIC’s. PESs may be categorized as standard PESs or small PESs based on their budgets (described below). These studies may be led by junior faculty and/or research associates receiving OAIC Research Education Core (REC) support, or by other senior or junior investigators. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of:

  1. Significance, methodological approach, scientific merit and innovation
  2. Relevance to the RFA theme: “mobility and prevention of ”
  3. Potential to result in subsequent larger NIH funded A paragraph is required to describe the aims of the subsequent project and to outline how the PES will provide data that are needed for the major grant.
  4. Multidisciplinary Investigative Team
  5. Environment and use of Pepper Center Cores and Clinical Research Facilities
  6. Budget and timeline appropriateness
  7. Junior Investigator Involvement and level of mentoring offered to Junior Investigators

What are the budgetary allowances?

Basic science projects are allowed up to $25,000 per year and clinical research projects which involve enrollment of human subjects are allowed up to $50,000 per year in direct costs. Each project should be for no more than 2 years and it is the expectation that all funds will be expended within each award year: no carryover of funds and no indirect costs are allowed. Priority will be given to applications that are completed within a shorter timeline. Therefore, budget and timeline appropriateness are a key basis for evaluation of the application. Smaller PESs are allowed with a budget of < $10,000 per year for one year.

Awards levels are contingent upon the type of project proposed, availability of funds and approval by the OAIC External Advisory Board and the National Institute on Aging.

ALLOWABLE COSTS

  1. Only direct costs that support the advancement of the Statement of Work are
  2. Funds awarded may not be used for indirect
  3. Awardees must comply with the broad policies governing Cost Accounting

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DIRECT COSTS

  1. Domestic travel is permitted for project-related scientific meetings to discuss or present research. All travel expenses to be reimbursed under this award shall be in accordance with Florida Statutes Section 112.061. Foreign travel is not allowed.
  2. Scientific equipment is allowed if specifically budgeted for and awarded. Each PI department will retain title to approved equipment purchased on their portion of the awarded
  3. General purpose office equipment is not
  4. Food is not allowed, except for research purposes for research study
  5. Principal Investigator and key personnel salaries are not permitted but supporting scientist and staff salaries are

Will support from other entities enhance the potential for funding?

Leveraging funding from this award by combining resources from other entities is encouraged but not required.

RFA information workshop

December 9, 2019 from 9-11am, CTRB 3161/62.

When will applicants receive notification of award?

Notification of award is expected by August 2020 and funds will be distributed in the Fall of 2020. The distribution of awards is contingent upon approval of the project from the local Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) as appropriate. Applicants must ensure and/or include in their timeline the IRB/IACUC submission process. Facilitation of the IRB process is encouraged by speaking directly with Dr. Iafrate regarding a specific application. For IACUC approval, prior consultation with an ACS veterinarian is strongly encouraged.

What is the application process?

Letter of Intent

A letter of intent to submit an application is due by January 21, 2020. The following items should be included in the letter.

  1. Your name, title, email, department and college
  2. Relevance to the OAIC theme described in this RFA
  3. List of Core or Core’s you will utilize for your project
  4. Short summary, specific aims and research plan

Submit letter of intent by email to Dr. Yenisel Cruz-Almeida e-mail: cryeni@ufl.edu, by 5PM on the due date. You will receive application instructions if your letter of intent is accepted for this RFA.

PUBLICATIONS

Dissemination of the results developed under this award are encouraged to be made publicly available and published in scholarly journals. All publications shall acknowledge that “Support was provided by the University of Florida Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center P30AG028740” and must be in PMCID compliance. For additional information or clarification, please contact Drs. Yenisel Cruz-Almeida for guidance in developing relevant project proposals. Dr. Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core, UF Pepper OAIC. e-mail: cryeni@ufl.edu.