Research News
MEDICAL SCHOOL OFFICE OF RESEARCH
July 2016

EVENTS 
Tuesday, August 9
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
NCRC Building 16, B003E

Thursday, August 11
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Amphitheatre, Rackham Building

Monday, October 10
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
BSRB Seminar Rooms,
1st Floor
Breakfast Provided

Monday, October 10
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday, October 11
8:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Towsley Center
Abstracts will be accepted through July 25th.

SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday, October 25
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
BSRB Seminar Rooms,
1st Floor
Breakfast & Lunch Provided

RESEARCH NEWS 

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& Hot Topics

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& Grants Guide


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IN THIS ISSUE 
 
 Leadership
  •  Funding
  • Policies
  • Training & Professional Development
  • Announcements
  • FundingOpps
    Select Research Funding &
    Award Opportunities
    Pilot Grants

    External Limited Submissions
    Award 
    Deadline
    Thursday, August 4

    Bridging Support
    Award
    Deadline
    BMRC Bridging Support for Biomedical Research
    Monday, August 15

    Other Opportunities

    Featured Foundation Grants

    Visit the UMHS Corporate and Foundation Relations website for more foundation funding opportunities.

    For additional details about funding resources, please visit the
    U-M Library's
    Research Funding & Grants Guide
    Leadership.Bradford
    U-M Medical School Welcomes New Addition to Leadership Team
    Carol R. Bradford, M.D., starts in newly-created role, Executive Vice Dean for Academic Affairs

    Change is in the air at the U-M Medical School as the school welcomes Carol R. Bradford, M.D. to the leadership team. Dr. Bradford, who has spent her entire academic and medical career at U-M, started in the newly-created role of Executive Vice Dean for Academic Affairs on July 1, 2016.

    Since 2009, Bradford has served as Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and is currently the Charles J. Krause, M.D., Collegiate Professor of Otolaryngology. Her new position is one of the key leadership roles under a UMHS and Medical School reorganization led by Marschall Runge, M.D., Ph.D., Dean of the Medical School.

    In her new role, Dr. Bradford will continue implementing a progressive medical school curriculum that provides greater foundational resources, begins clinical exposure earlier, and supports more fluidity and flexible leadership. The priority is to continue training the best, most-equipped physicians to provide consistent care in a very unpredictable environment.

    To learn more about Dr. Bradford's plans for the U-M Medical School, read the full article

    Leadership.Cone
    U-M Regents Approve New Life Sciences Institute Director
    Roger D. Cone, Ph.D. will serve as new Mary Sue Coleman Director

    On June 16, the U-M Board of Regents approved the appointment of Roger D. Cone, Ph.D., as the new Mary Sue Coleman Director of the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute.

    Cone, a distinguished obesity researcher and experienced administrator, joins U-M from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he served as Chairman of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and the Joe C. Davis Chair in Biomedical Science. He was also Director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Obesity and Metabolism and Associate Director for Vanderbilt's Diabetes Research and Training Center.

    Cone is known for his discovery of some of the key receptors and neural circuits in the brain that regulate energy stores, and his laboratory continues to study the role of these receptors and circuits in obesity, wasting disease (cachexia) and anorexia. His lab's recent projects include development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of obesity, identification of novel cell signaling pathways in the brain involved in the regulation of body weight, and identification of genes predisposing humans to anorexia nervosa.

    To learn more about Dr. Cone's experience, read the full announcement
    Funding.NIHcorrection
    Correction Made on Fellowship Applications
    Did you start a fellowship application between June 3 and June 7?
    For those who started a fellowship application in PDF form between June 3 and June 7 and did not see or review the original update from NIH, please return to the funding opportunity announcement to get an updated application package (NOT-OD-16-106) and begin again. This is for fellowship applications due on August 8, 2016, and only impacts the PDF version of the form.

    If this does not apply to you, you may disregard.  If you use ASSIST or a system-to-system solution to prepare your application, then you are not impacted and may also disregard.

    NIH had included an incorrect version of the PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form that was corrected the evening of June 7, 2016. Again, anyone who started a grant application for any of these opportunities prior to June 8, 2016, must return to the funding opportunity announcement and begin again.

    For more information, contact ORSP at 734-764-5500. 
    Policy.AAHRPP
    U-M Human Research Protection Program Earns Full Accreditation
    University of Michigan's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) has earned full accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Program (AAHRPP). This re-accreditation affirms the commitment to excellence in human subjects research and signifies to research participants, sponsors, and collaborators that U-M operates a high quality HRPP. U-M's HRPP has been accredited since 2008. 

    The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) is an independent nonprofit organization that rigorously reviews organizations that are engaged in human subjects research. AAHRPP standards exceed federal oversight regulations by evaluating additional protections, such as conflict of interest processes and community education efforts, and requiring the extension of the protections to all research beyond federally funded or regulated research. By undergoing the voluntary accreditation process, U-M demonstrates that we conduct ethically sound research while maximizing participant safeguards. 

    The cross-campus re-accreditation process included the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), the Medical School Office of Regulatory Affairs, and all colleges and schools, including the Flint and Dearborn Campuses. The effort was lead by the University of Michigan Office of Research (UMOR).

    Many thanks to everyone who contributed to a successful AAHRPP site visit and re-accreditation process!

    For more information on the site visit and re-accreditation, read the full announcement or contact  AAHRPPvisit@umich.edu.
    Policy.IRBMED
    IRBMED Consent Template Updated
    A new version of the  standard informed consent template  is now available for download on the IRBMED website. Template changes include:
    • New blue-box help text in section 4 (study procedures) for research that involves genomic data sharing, including research subject to the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy
    • Orange-box help text throughout the document for research subject to ICH-GCP requirements
    • Changes to the legally authorized representative (LAR) signature box in section 12
    Questions? Contact IRBMED at  irbmed@umich.edu.
    Training.BootCamp
    R01 Boot Camp Makes Major Impact
    Mentorship program helps UMMS faculty receive first NIH R01 grants
    The Mentored Research Academy: R01 Boot Camp (R01 Boot Camp),
    now in its third year, is a multi-tiered mentorship program designed to support and increase the success rate of Medical School faculty applying for their first NIH Research Project Grant (R01).

    Managed by the Medical School Office of Research and developed as part of the long-term Strategic Research Initiative, the R01 Boot Camp pilot program launched in 2013 with 40 mentees.

    As of May 2016, pilot program mentees have produced:

    • $37.4M in funded proposals
    • 15 R01s have been awarded to 14 mentees - 43.8% success rate
    • 19 R01s still pending
    In preparing to submit their NIH R01 applications, mentees participate in several activities to develop and review their proposals. They also receive individual counsel on their research plans from subject matter experts and their faculty coaches. 

    Almost $60 million in new research funding has been attributed to the Boot Camp experience. 

    R01 Boot Camp Application Deadline
    Monday, October 17
    Online application system will open Thursday, September 1

    For more information, please visit the R01 Boot Camp website or contact us via email at R01BootCamp@umich.edu.
    Training.RAMP
    Are You a Research Administrator?
    Register for the Research Administration Mentoring Program (RAMP↑)
    The Research Administration Mentoring Program (RAMP↑) is a unique mentoring program for research administrators. Individuals involved in this program will have an opportunity to build important relationships within the University and enhance their professional growth. The deadline for mentor and mentee applications is Friday, July 22.

    Fall 2016 will be the start of the 3rd RAMP↑ cohort. The RAMP↑ will match mentors who have at least five years of research administrative experience with mentees who are relative newcomers to the field, with approximately six months to about two years of research administrative experience at the University of Michigan. Mentees are required to be solid performers with no current performance issues, and they should be goal-oriented and self-directed, with a desire to develop professionally.

    The time commitment for this program requires a minimum of one hour, in-person communication per month, over a period of nine months, from October-June. A program orientation meeting for both mentors and mentees will be held in September 2016. 

    Questions? Please contact ramp-adminteam@umich.edu.
    Training.TranslationalRes
    Certificate in Translational Research
    Apply for the translational research program today!
    MICHR has a program designed for doctoral students in basic research programs as a complement to their graduate studies. The Translational Research Education Certificate (TREC) provides students with an overview of the principles of translational research and will help prepare them to become the next generation of translational researchers performing bench to bedside investigations in multidisciplinary, collaborative research settings. The application deadline is Friday, July 22

    The certificate includes nine credits - six credits of required courses, three specialized course electives, and a clinical research experience.  Each scholar will work with a central team of program advisors to choose electives and a clinical experience to fulfill personal research career goals and objectives. 

    Students seeking admission to the program are required to discuss the option with their Ph.D. mentor and identify a faculty member to work with who is engaged in clinical/translational or health outcomes research. The certificate is awarded by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies with faculty lead Donna Shewach, Ph.D.

    Questions? Contact Donna Shewach at dshewach@umich.edu.
    Training.DesignProjects
    Seeking Design Projects for Biomedical Engineering Class

    Faculty, physicians, and clinicians encouraged to apply 
    The U-M Biomedical Engineering Department seeks faculty, physicians, and clinicians who have ideas for medical devices to sponsor student team design projects during the 2016-2017 academic year for BME 451/452. This is a good opportunity to have a team of BME seniors vet an idea for a novel medical device or biomedical research device. The submission deadline for projects is Friday, July 29.

    Project sponsors mentor these BME student teams through the process of problem identification, brainstorming, detailed design, prototype building and testing. Projects should be defined to the extent that the problem is known and the sponsor has some idea of device requirements, but should also be open-ended enough to allow students to explore possible innovative solutions. The project most involve the design of a prototype - software may be included, but the focus must be on hardware design. Level of sponsor involvement is as follows:
    • Complete a project information form, which includes a description of the problem, project goals, deliverables, etc.
    • Facilitate contacts and opportunities for students to better understand the problem within the clinical setting, as needed
    • Meet occasionally with the team to discuss progress and provide input (approximately every 2-3 weeks)
    • Attend the team's presentations in early December and mid-April
    For more information, read the full announcement or contact Rachael Schmedlen at shope@umich.edu
    Training.ResAssistants
    Looking for Research Assistants?
    Award winning UROP program seeks research opportunities for students for 2016 academic year
    The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) is currently recruiting researcher opportunities for the 2016-2017 academic year. UROP targets first and second year students and community college transfer students, engaging them as research assistants on ongoing or new research projects.

    Many medical school faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research scientists benefit from additional research assistance and the opportunity to form valuable research partnerships through all four years and beyond. Many UROP alumni have gone on to pursue careers as health and life sciences researchers. 

    Since its inception in 1988, UROP has been committed to engaging a diverse group of students in research. While UROP is open to all first and second year students on campus, we maintain a strong interest in engaging women in science and historically underrepresented minority students in research. UROP students participate in the program for either academic credit or work-study funds. All work-study costs are covered by UROP. Supplementary research funds are also available from UROP to the sponsoring of a laboratory or clinical research project. 

    For more information, visit the Research Mentors website or contact Sandra Gregerman at sgreger@umich.edu.
    Announcement.Forbes
    $17.5 Million Gift for Cancer Research
    Largest private donation for cancer research in   U-M history
    On June 16, the University of Michigan Board of Regents announced a $17.5 million commitment for cancer research from Madeline and Sidney Forbes of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. 

    This gift to the university's
    $4 billion Victors for Michigan campaign will create the Forbes Institute for Cancer Discovery within the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition, the Forbes' gift will:
    • Advance cutting-edge science from the laboratory to patients by stimulating innovative technology and new therapies.
    • Offer team research awards for cross-disciplinary efforts - bringing together faculty from disparate areas including medicine, business, pharmacy, dentistry, engineering, and public health. Such research will be aimed at developing better cancer treatments.
    • Create Senior Forbes Scholars and Emerging Forbes Scholars programs in cancer discovery.
    • Establish the Madeline and Sidney Forbes Professorship in Oncology within the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center. This professorship has been awarded to Max S. Wicha, M.D.
    The goal of the Forbes Institute will be to encourage scientists across the University to undertake high-risk, high-reward initiatives with the potential to drive new advances in cancer research. The intent is to fuel rapid development of innovative technology and new therapies, bringing better, more targeted treatments to the 1.6 million Americans diagnosed with cancer each year.

    For more information, read the full announcement.
    Foundation
    Featured Foundation Grants
    for Biomedical Research 
    null
    UMHS Corporate and Foundation Relations would like to draw your attention to the following foundations who currently have open RFPs for biomedical research grants:

    Warren Alpert Foundation Prize - In Association with Harvard Medical School

    The Warren Alpert Foundation Prize recognizes one or more scientists whose scientific achievements have led to the prevention, cure, or treatment of human diseases or disorders, and/or whose research constitutes a seminal scientific finding that holds great promise of ultimately changing our understanding of and/or ability to treat disease. The value of the prize has been increased to U.S. $500,000 (to be split equally if more than one recipient is selected), a citation, and a plaque.

    Award
    Amount
    Deadline
    $500K
    Monday,
    October 31

    Wolf Foundation - Research Prize

    You are invited to submit one or more candidates for the Wolf Prize in the Sciences 2017, in one of the following fields: Chemistry, Mathematics, Medicine or Physics. Wolf Prizes in the Arts and Sciences are awarded since 1978 to outstanding artists and scientists for their achievements for the benefit of mankind and brotherly relations among peoples, regardless of nationality, race, color, religion, sex, or political views. 

    Award
    Amount
    Deadline
    $100K Wednesday,
    August 31

    Michigan Health Endowment Fund - Research Prize
    The Michigan Health Endowment Fund (MHEF) is seeking strategies and service delivery models that integrate aging services into other health systems, develop innovative approaches through technology or nontraditional partnerships, increase access to preventative services, and promote healthy behaviors and achieve health outcomes.

    Award
    Amount
    Deadline
    $200K - $500K
    Monday,
    August 15

    TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation - Research Grant
    The TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation supports innovative research and promising clinical trials that have the potential to immediately impact the lives of childhood cancer patients.  We are interested in funding researchers who have outstanding clinical treatment ideas relevant to today's childhood cancer patients and are without clinical trial support from the NIH or other cancer research agencies, and researchers who are driven to deliver new and better treatment options for their childhood cancer patients today through clinical trial studies.

    Award
    Amount
    Deadline
    2016 TeamConnor Grant Program $100K Friday,
    August 26

    Questions about these award opportunities should be directed to Joe Piffaretti in UMHS Corporate and Foundation Relations via email at piffaret@med.umich.edu or phone at (734) 763-1318.

    If you are interested in receiving weekly funding announcements that include opportunities such as those listed above, please contact Joe Piffaretti to be added to the faculty/staff email circulation list.
    SharpFocus
    Requested Development
     

    Sharpening Your Focus:
    Tips on Grant Proposal Preparation
    By Jill Jividen, Ph.D., Senior Manager
    for Research Development Support,
    U-M Medical School Office of Research

    (One in a  series  of tips published in UMMS Research News about writing proposals.)  

    NIH previously accepted study section requests in Cover Letter Attachments. With the new SF424 Forms Version D, researchers must now use the PHS Assignment Request Form to communicate review requests to the Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR) in the Center for Scientific Review (CSR). Making assignment requests is optional, but recommended - it's vital to ensure that your proposal gets to the peer reviewers who will best understand and appreciate your research.

    It is critical to match your area of research with the areas reviewed by specific study sections. Start by reviewing rosters of study sections that seem appropriate for your proposed work. You may also search NIH RePorter to find similar projects and to see which institutes funded them and which study sections reviewed them.

    The new Assignment Request Form requires Funding Opportunity numbers (PA or RFA) and titles. It asks for your preferred institutes and your preferred study sections (as well as which should not be used). This also is the form to use to specify reviewers who might have a conflict of interest (e.g., former students, direct competitors, etc.); be sure to provide sufficient information. Additionally, investigators may list up to five scientific areas of expertise that are needed to review the application.

    Cover letter attachments should still be used for the following issues: resubmissions; continuous submission; late applications; reasons for changed/corrected applications after due date; explanation of subaward budgets; explanation of any agency approval documentation (e.g., for applications >$500,000); intent to submit a video; and details regarding genomic data.

    Assignment requests are only for internal use and will not be shared with peer reviewers.

    Further resources:

    Our mission in the Office of Research is to foster an environment of innovation
    and efficiency that serves the U-M Medical School community and supports
    biomedical science from insight to impact.