Injury Prevention Research Center

Pilot Grant Program  Request for Proposals

Center Objectives.  The theme of the IPRC is the prevention and control of rural injuries.  The goal of the Center is carried out through a series of research projects in the areas of prevention, acute care and rehabilitation of injuries.

Pilot Project Program Objectives.  The primary objective of the pilot project grant program is to encourage the development of new injury control research projects and attract new investigators to the injury control field. The program emphasizes the development of new ideas from young investigators, either independently or in collaboration with an established investigator.  The Injury Prevention Research Center is particularly interested in interdisciplinary pilot projects which concern injuries in rural contexts, however all injury prevention and control projects will be considered. Priority is given to pilot proposals that hold greatest potential for leading to a larger research proposal.

Application and Award Dates.  Applications must be received no later than March 11, 2016.  It is anticipated that proposals will be reviewed in early April. Funding will be available on July 1, 2016 and projects must be completed within one year. Carryover of funds beyond June 30, 2017 will not be allowed. Investigators are strongly encouraged to initiate the appropriate human subjects review processes as soon as possible after approval notification.

Eligibility.  Any faculty member, sponsored staff, graduate student, or post-doc at The University of Iowa with an interest in injury control is encouraged to apply for the program.  Young investigators, such as students, research associates, or instructors, are encouraged to apply together with more senior faculty members, but may apply independently as well.

Application Procedures.  Applications will follow the general NIH guidelines for research proposals.  The proposal should be organized as follows:

Proposal Section                                                                      Page Limit

Executive Summary                                                                150 words                  

Research Plan                                                              3 pages total for plan

Specific Aims

Significance

Design and Methods

Support Budget and Justification                                            1-2

Schedule and Milestones                                                         1-2

Biographical Sketch for each Investigator                               2 page max. for each

A PDF copy of the proposal should be sent to Lisa Roth, IPRC Deputy Director, at lisa-m-roth@uiowa.edu.

Peer Review Process.  The IPRC Executive Committee, with additional referees as needed, will evaluate each proposal according to the NIH priority score method using the following criteria: relevance to Center goals, scientific relevance and originality, validity and reliability of methods, qualifications of investigator(s), collaboration with Center personnel, and the likelihood of future extramural funding. Members of the Executive Committee will not participate in the evaluation of applications submitted by them or when they are collaborators with another investigator.

Appeal Process.  Investigators who believe an unfair or inaccurate peer evaluation process has occurred may submit a written appeal letter to the Center Director outlining specific concerns about the process.  At the discretion of the Center Director, the appeal may be referred to outside consultants for an additional peer review.  In this case, a revised priority score for the application will be determined by the special peer reviewers for further consideration during the next round of applications.

Funding Available.  Pilot project grant awards will generally be between $20,000-$22,500 and up to a maximum of $25,000 (direct) for each project. The IPRC expects to fund up to four proposals.  Funding is available for the usual categories of cost in an NIH grant, such as salary and fringe for research assistants and graduate students, laboratory supplies, equipment, data analysis cost, travel associated with research (but not to attend professional meetings), and office expenses.  Post Doctoral Scholar salary support is an eligible expense. Faculty salary support is not eligible under this pilot project program.  The funding limitation is based on direct costs.  No funds shall be spent for indirect costs.

Reporting Requirements.   Each funded pilot project is required to submit a brief mid-year progress report and a final report.  The mid-year and final reports shall be submitted according to instructions provided by the Center. Investigators are also asked to acknowledge IPRC funding sources in all publications and presentations, and to notify Lisa Roth, Deputy Director, of all publications, presentations, and subsequent grants related to the pilot work.

Contact Information.  Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Corinne Peek-Asa (319-335-4895, corinne-peek-asa@uiowa.edu) regarding scientific questions about the pilot grant program and Lisa Roth (319-359-9444, lisa-m-roth@uiowa.edu) regarding budgetary and administrative procedures.