MGH Research News for March 22, 2024

March 22, 2024

Announcements, events, funding opportunities and more news for the Mass General Research Institute community.

In this edition:

(Scroll down for more info and click on the links for additional details)

Funding Opportunities

NEW K12 Investigator Award
MGB Gene and Cell Therapy Institute Spark Grant 2024
Andrew L. Warshaw, M.D, Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Interim Support Funding 24-2
MGH Screening Technologies in Primary Care Innovation Fund
Limited Submission Funding
Foundation Funding Opportunities

Announcements:

NEW MGH Ode to Joy - Celebration of the Arts
NEW Stata License
NEW Accepting applications for the Health Care Data & Delivery Science Certificate Program
NEW Seeking Nominations from Mentors: NORCH Outstanding Manuscript Award
NVivo portal license
Anonymous MGH Compliance Help Line Being Retired
Information Sessions on the 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing
Summer Digital Internships available

Events:

NEW Fun Fridays- Yoga at Your Desk
Faculty Transition Webinar Series
Research manuscript preparation
2024 Anne Klibanski Visiting Lecture Series 04
K Grant Writing Workshop
Research Tech Talk
Chester Pierce Research Society Speaker Series
Speed Mentoring Hour
NEW 2nd Annual North East CRN Symposium
Two Meditation Sessions available every week

NEW K12 Investigator Award

The Harvard Catalyst K12 Investigator Award (formerly KL2/CMeRIT) provides advanced training in clinical and translational research to senior fellows and junior faculty from all health professions represented by Harvard Catalyst, including medicine, dentistry, and nursing.

Awardees will pursue a mentored research project in their area of expertise. It is expected that the research performed within the K12 program will provide the basis for a subsequent NIH award (e.g., K23, KO8, or RO1).

The K12 Investigator Award program provides two years of salary support at 75% of the awardee’s institutional salary base, up to the K12 NIH salary cap of $160,000 (i.e., $120,000 would be covered). Surgeons may request salary support of between 50% and 75%. Educational programs within Harvard Catalyst will be tuition-free. Funding for awardees begins October 1, 2024.

Applications are due May 24.

Learn more

MGB Gene and Cell Therapy Institute (GCTI) Spark Grant 2024

The GCTI Spark grant 2024 is now open! The Spark grants fund projects that can demonstrate tangible advancements towards clinical applications as well as commercialization outcomes including licensing, commercial partnerships, or new spinoff companies.

Deadline - Friday, April 19, 2024

Learn more

Andrew L. Warshaw, M.D, Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research

The Andrew L. Warshaw, M.D., Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research invites applications for pilot grant funding from MGH investigators. Applications are welcome from new investigators, established investigators in the field of pancreatic cancer, as well as senior investigators who have not previously worked in this area.

Up to three pilot grants will be funded for one year at $60,000 plus the applicable indirect cost rate.

Deadline - Friday, May 3, 2024, at 5:00PM

Learn more

Interim Support Funding 24-2

The Interim Support Funding (ISF) Program is open to Principal Investigators during a lapse or delay in their research funding from the NIH or another Federal agency (e.g., the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense). Investigators must have applied for independent, long-term support (R01, R21, U01 and P01). The intent of the program is to rescue strong scientific programs that are in need of bridge funding in order to sustain their research. Applications will be accepted regardless of percentile or score, including applications that were not discussed.

Deadline - Monday, April 1, 2024 - 5:00 PM

Learn more

MGH Screening Technologies in Primary Care Innovation Fund

There is great promise for the development of new technologies to detect disease or disease risk factors at an earlier stage in the primary care setting. However, innovative screening technologies are frequently difficult to get off the ground due to challenges conducting research in the primary care setting and difficulties translating and commercializing technologies that need to be implemented in a cost-effective manner and on a large scale.

Award: One pilot grant will be funded for one year at $50,000 (direct costs) + 20% (indirect).

Due date for proposals: April 30, 2024

Learn more

Limited Submission Funding Opportunities

We ask that all MGH Investigators interested in applying for any limited submission award submit a Letter of Intent (see detailed instructions below) to the MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) by the deadline indicated for each award to be considered to receive an institutional nomination.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:

See full details for all awards on our website.

Assessment of Climate at Institutions (Act) Award (RC2 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

MGH LOI Deadline: 4/01/24

Learn more

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (T32)

MGH LOI Deadline: 4/08/24

Learn more

Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1 – Clinical Trial Optional)

MGH LOI Deadline: 4/11/24

Learn more

Foundation Funding Opportunities

Please contact Corporate & Foundation Relations in the Office of Development at devcfr@mgh.harvard.edu if you wish to submit a proposal in response to any of these opportunities. Note that proposals are still routed through the standard InfoEd/Research Management process.

For all open foundation funding announcements, see the MGB Innovation External Funding Database

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:

See this week’s full foundation funding announcements (including eligibility, RM deadlines, and IDC) on our website.

R Accelerated Award Grant, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF). $800,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: June 6
Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). $206,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: May 15
Bridge Grant, American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation (AAOGF). $75,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: May 1
Fellowship Research Award, American Surgical Association Foundation (ASAF). $150,000 (IDC Exempt). Application Deadline: June 15
FAST-Trac Awards, Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST). $300,000 (5% IDC). Application Deadline: Continuous
Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award, March of Dimes Foundation. $150,000 (10% IDC). Application Deadline: May 31
TS Alliance Research Grants Program (multiple career stages), Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (TS Alliance). $150,000 (15% IDC). LOI Deadline: May 13

Do you want to learn more about identifying external funding opportunities? Please click here to request a research consultation with Amy Robb or see ECOR’s website for information on the Pivot database.

NEW MGH Ode to Joy - Celebration of the Arts

Submit your artistic talent by Monday, April 15

Share your talent at in-person celebration to recognize the incredible talents outside of your work at MGH. The Center for Faculty Development announces the first MGH Ode to Joy—a celebration of art created by our faculty and trainees. We want to convene our community to recognize the incredible talent that exists outside of and beyond the talent performed in clinic, in OR, and in labs, and revel together in the transformative power of artistic expression. Click here for more details.

NEW Stata License

The Research Computing Core offers Stata licenses to the Research Community at a discounted rate via rcservices.partners.org. Stata is a statistical software package that provides tools for analysis, data management and graphics. Interested in learning new tips or looking to learn about new functionality with Stata 18? Check out the Stata Webinairs, which are offered free of charge via the vendor's website.

NEW Accepting applications for the Health Care Data & Delivery Science Certificate Program

This 8-month Health Care Data & Delivery Science Certificate Program is hosted by the Mongan Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in collaboration with the Harvard Catalyst program and will equip clinician scientists, early career researchers and/or health systems leaders with practical knowledge and fundamental skills in health care data and delivery science. Applicants are anticipated to have a master’s degree, medical degree, doctoral degree or prior research experience conducting research in relevant fields. View the program summary and curriculum.

NEW Seeking Nominations from Mentors: NORCH Outstanding Manuscript Award

The Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard is delighted to announce an Outstanding Manuscript Award to be given to a First Author performing investigation in nutrition, obesity, and/or metabolism. This award is intended for an Assistant Professor, Instructor, or Post-Doctoral Fellow who has made significant scientific contribution as first author of a manuscript. The award will be announced at our Annual Symposium on June 5^th2024, and will include an award for educational or research expenses. Please submit a nomination at this link and for more information please refer to our RFA.

NVivo portal license

Annual NVivo licenses expire each year on February 28th. Your license will automatically cancel, and you will need to order again at rcservices.partners.org (MGB login required). NVivo licenses are $350/year per User and new licenses can be ordered and accessed today.

NVivo is software that can be used for qualitative analysis of textual and audiovisual data sources. NVivo portal licenses require no installation and you may log into your account on any computer, to access the NVivo portal. For more information on NVivo go to the Research Computing Core's software page or order now at rcservices.partners.org (MGB login required). All questions may be directed to rcc@partners.org.

Anonymous MGH Compliance Help Line Being Retired

For nearly 20 years, the MGH has maintained the internal Anonymous Compliance Help Line. Effective Monday, April 1, the MGH-specific line will be retired and replaced with the Mass General Brigham Compliance HelpLine . All staff have a duty to report inappropriate decisions or actions to help maintain a safe environment for all patients, staff and visitors. Confidential and anonymous reporting is available online here or via phone at 1-800-856-1983. Reports can be made at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from any location.

Summer Digital Internships available

Do you have a college age student interested in a paid Summer Internship? Several Digital internships are available, including within the Research Computing Core/Research Applications group under Digital Research Operations. Internships can be found on the MGB career site, by searching with Keyword: Intern. The 10-week Internship Programs begins Monday, June 3rd and runs through Friday, August 9th.

See these events and more on the calendar of events

NEW Fun Fridays- Yoga at Your Desk

March 22, 2024, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Zoom

This lively 60 minute webinar offers a refreshing breathing technique, stretches and awareness of proper body alignment to focus your mind and restore your balance. Yoga at your desk is great for people that spend a lot of time at the computer or on the bench doing research. Join us to stretch your tight muscles and ease your worries. All attire is welcome but clothing that does not constrict the waist is best.

Facilitator: Lisa Staffiere, LICSW, CEAP, Senior Employee Assistance Consultant, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, and Certified Employee Assistance Professional. Lisa is a Teacher and incorporates yoga and meditation into EAP Stress/Resiliency training. She counsels clients in English, Spanish and French. She is the EAP liaison to AllWays Health Partners, MGH Institute of Health Professions and the MGH Research Community. Lisa brings 39 years of professional experience to Mass General Brigham EAP.

2024 Anne Klibanski Visiting Lecture Series 04

March 26, 2024, 12:00-1:00 pm

The Anne Klibanski Visiting Lecture Series was created to support and advance the careers of women. These lectures bring together faculty from institutions that have hosted Anne Klibanski Scholars with MGH scholars, on topics that overlap both research areas.

Dr. Mitchell will present on “The future of vaginal microbiome interventions.”

Dr. Sykes will present on “Targeting The Immune Response At The Cervicovaginal Interface To Prevent Preterm Birth.”

Are you writing a K? Get practical advice

March 28, 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Joseph B. Martin Conference Center

This workshop is appropriate for clinical and basic science researchers from all fields.

Featuring special guest appearance by: Robin Huebner, PhD, NIH Program Officer

Hosted by Ingrid Bassett MD, MPH; Kenneth Freedberg MD, MSc; Jodi Kurtz MS, CRA; Athe Tsibris MD

Research Tech Talk

March 28, 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Speaker: David Bates, Chief, General Internal Medicine and Primary Care (BWH) will give us an overview, mission, and current activities of the MGB Center of AI and Biomedical Informatics for the Learning Healthcare System (CAIBILS).

Chester Pierce Research Society Speaker Series

April 2, 2024, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Zoom

Title of Presentation:

Single Cell Imaging of the Beating Heart

Speaker:

Aaron Aguirre, MD, PhD

Cardiologist and Critical Care Physician, Mass General Hospital

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Speed Mentoring Hour

April 2, 2024, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Zoom

This session is scheduled for April 2, 2:00–3:00 pm, with Helen A. Shih, MD, Medical Director of Proton Therapy Center & Professor of Radiation Oncology; and Louisa G. Sylvia, PhD, Director of the Office for Women's Careers & Associate Director at Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation.

Mentor leaders will meet with up to 8 faculty members, each given 7-8 minutes to ask questions on any aspect of mentoring or being mentored and receive input from the mentor leaders.

NEW 2nd Annual North East CRN Symposium

April 26, 2024, 8:30 – 12:00 pm, Zoom

Activity Description:

The utilization of AI applications has rapidly expanded, with AI-powered technologies increasingly integrated into healthcare and clinical research settings. This symposium aims to understand the background of AI, explore the integration of AI within clinical research and its potential implications for the role of the clinical research nurse.

Target Audience: Clinical Research RNs and NPs