Read Medical School Research News online: View as Webpage
April 8, 2020
The Medical School Office of Research has shifted from the monthly publication of “Research News” to a weekly edition. Please bookmark the important links below and consider setting up email alerts to stay abreast of the latest information not only from our organization, but from UMOR.

Events around us are continuously evolving, and our team is committed to keeping you informed and supporting our research community to the utmost of our ability.
News Affecting Your Research Operation
Virtual Research Town Hall on April 14
The entire biomedical research community is invited to a virtual Research Town Hall, which will feature updates on the entire U-M research enterprise from Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, Dr. Steven Kunkel, and other U-M research leadership.

Tuesday, April 14
3:30PM-4:30PM
CLICK HERE for login details
(level 1 authentication required)

Members of the research community are encouraged to CLICK HERE to submit questions prior to the event.

Questions? Contact ummsresearch@umich.edu.
Research Still Going Strong
We’re hearing reminders from across campus that biomedical research is “still going strong” at the U-M Medical School. Earlier this week, Dr. Kunkel sent an email of encouragement to our entire research community:

 “All across what has basically become a virtual campus, researchers and staff are finding new ways to collaborate and continue forward progress on our very important work.”

CLICK HERE to read Dr. Kunkel’s entire message.

We’re also learning more from project teams who are kickstarting COVID-19 related research. The COVID-19 Research Prioritization Committee has reviewed 227 project applications to date, averaging 15 per day. MCIRCC team members are developing a new COVID-19 airway management algorithm that protects healthcare providers, and researchers are turning to the COVID-19 Research Index to find daily updates on potential collaborators across campus.

Additionally, Michigan Medicine issued a press release highlighting the COVID-19 related projects that have been fast-tracked to address the current crisis. CLICK HERE to read that story.

Do you have a story about U-M biomedical research during the COVID-19 crisis? Contact DeptComm-PR-Team@med.umich.edu. Also, if you're contacted by a member of the media, please remember to contact the Department of Communication at (734) 764-2220 or DeptComm-PR-Team@med.umich.edu for assistance with responding to inquiries.
BSL3 Lab Opened at Med Sci II
The Medical School has opened a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Lab in Med Sci II, equipped for in vitro research. BSL3 is a lab where work can occur involving microbes that can cause serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation.

Access to the lab is currently limited to projects related to COVID-19, and must be channeled through the COVID-19 Research Prioritization Committee. Questions? Contact Beth Moore, Ph.D., at  bmoore@umich.edu.
COVID-19 Clinical Trials Process
Currently, all clinical trials related to COVID-19 must to be submitted to the COVID-19 Research Prioritization Committee, and will be assigned as high priority. COVID-19 trials have now been fast-tracked to open in as little as two weeks from receiving the protocol.

To date, the Clinical Trials Support Office (CTSO) has opened three clinical trials, with four more opening within days. Trials are for patients with mild, moderate, or severe illness. The CTSO is also supporting trials aimed at preventing infection in those at risk of exposure, such as healthcare workers. To learn more about current and upcoming COVID-19 clinical trials at the University of Michigan, view the COVID-19 Research Index.

The CTSO would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Acute, Critical Care, Surgery, & Transplant CTSU principal investigators and staff in implementing these COVID-19 clinical trials at record speed. Their diligence has laid the groundwork for the best care possible for our patients.

Questions? Contact ctsogroup@umich.edu.
COVID-19 Patient Biospecimens
To coordinate COVID-19 patient sample collection, distribution, and tracking, the Clinical Trials Support Office is working with the Central Biorepository to centralize the collection and processing of COVID-19 residual clinical samples, and research blood draws and blood processing. Principal Investigators interested in obtaining access to these samples must receive approval from UMOR and IRBMED - click on the link below to learn more.

Questions? Contact Elizabeth Wu at elizwu@umich.edu,
COVID-19 Research & Immediate Deadlines for External Sponsors
As funders are announcing opportunities to fund COVID-19 research with very short submission deadlines, the Grant Services & Analysis team wants all researchers to know that the entire research administrative engine is here to support you! Please work with your unit research administrator to begin your project titled “COVID-19” in the eRPM system, and ask them to notify the Grants Office ( msgrants@umich.edu) and ORSP Project Representative that it is routing.

All are committed to quickly send the project out for consideration. Even with the fast turn-around, it is important your project goes through institutional review to be sure we are well positioned to execute once awarded.

The Grants team also reminds everyone to check out the UMOR COVID-19 Funding Opportunities webpage, and asks that you contact the COVID-19 Research Prioritization Committee when there is an indication that your project may be likely to see funding. That will allow the Committee to review the projects where sponsors are expressing interest.

Questions? Contact msgrants@umich.edu.
Cryopreservation Resources to Protect Valuable Mouse Strains
The Animal Care & Use Program reminds researchers using animal models that cryopreservation can be a valuable resource as labs look for strategies to preserve valuable mouse strains, including transgenic lines. Sperm cryopreservation is exceptionally valuable in helping prepare for an eventual return to normal research operations and should become a standard practice to regularly and routinely safeguard and protect research.

Questions? Contact ulam-questions@umich.edu for assistance.
Funding Opportunities
Internal Funding to Support COVID-19 Metabolic Research
MDiabetes has announced a call for proposals for up to $50,000 to study the impact of COVID-19 on, and improve the care of, those with diabetes and related disorders. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with funding available immediately.  DEADLINE: Rolling
$100K Cardiovascular Grant Competition for COVID-19
The Frankel Cardiovascular Center has announced an urgent call for a focused research effort targeting the cardiovascular impact of the novel COVID-19 virus. Both clinical and basic science proposals will be considered for the $100K grant. DEADLINE: April 17, 2020
Fast Grants for COVID-19 Research
Foundation Relations has forwarded information about "Fast Grants" for COVID-19 research. These grants are $10k-$500k, and award decisions are made in under 48 hours. The principal investigator must already be working on a project that could help with the COVID-19 pandemic within the next six months.

Questions? Contact Joe Piffaretti at piffaret@umich.edu.
COVID-19 Research & $20M Frankel Innovation Initiative
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the deadline to submit proposals for the 2020 round of the Frankel Innovation Initiative has been extended to June 1, 2020. Fast Forward Medical Innovation, the team administering the fund, reminds potential applicants that COVID-19-related research is very much within the scope of the Initiative’s guidelines. DEADLINE: June 1, 2020
Funding Resources for COVID-19 Projects
These web-based funding resources help researchers pursue funding related to COVID-19:


In addition to these websites, below you'll find this week's roundup of general funding opportunities.
April 15, 2020
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation -DEADLINE EXTENDED-
April 19, 2020
April 20, 2020
April 20, 2020
Pew Biomedical Scholars Program -DEADLINE EXTENDED-
April 27, 2020
MICHR Pathways Award -DEADLINE EXTENDED-
April 27, 2020
April 30, 2020
May 1, 2020
May 4, 2020
May 4, 2020
May 7, 2020
May 11, 2020
May 18, 2020
May 20, 2020
Frankel Innovation Initiative -DEADLINE EXTENDED-
June 1, 2020
Virtual Events
Pew Scholars Program & Pew Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research
Funding Webinar Hosted by Foundation Relations
10:00AM-11:00AM, Friday, April 10
CLICK HERE to login to Zoom.
3:30PM-4:30PM, Tuesday, April 14
CLICK HERE for login and more details.
10:00AM-11:00AM, Wednesday, April 15
CLICK HERE for login and more details.
10:00AM-11:00AM, Wednesday, April 22
CLICK HERE for login and more details.
12:00PM-12:45PM, Thursday, April 23
CLICK HERE for login and more details.
Looking for additional information about changes to training & events? Visit...
To better navigate the complexities of the U-M biomedical research enterprise, visit the Research Project Lifecycle . This interactive tool provides an overview of the resources available to you, not only within the Medical School Office of Research but also across the University. The "stops" along this lifecycle are highlighted above, and more information is available online .