Research News
MEDICAL SCHOOL OFFICE OF RESEARCH
September 2016


EVENTS 
Wednesday, September 14
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Med. Sci I, Room 5330

Wednesday, Sept. 14
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
NCRC

Monday, September 19
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
NCRC Building 10, Research Auditorium

Monday, September 26
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
BSRB Seminar Rooms

Tuesday, September 27
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
BSRB Seminar Rooms

Wednesday, September 28
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Taubman Health Sciences Library, Room 6000
Lunch Provided
 
National Center for Biotechnology Information Discovery Workshops
Tuesday, October 4
Wednesday, October 5
Thursday, October 6
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Taubman Health Sciences Library, Room 5212

Wednesday, October 5
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
BSRB Seminar Rooms
Lunch Provided

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

Making the Most of Your Presentation
Monday, October 10
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
BSRB Seminar Rooms

Monday, October 10
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday, October 11
8:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Towsley Center

Tuesday, October 11
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
NCRC Building 18
Tuesday, October 11
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Research Auditorium, NCRC Building 10

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
NCRC Building 10, Research Auditorium

Friday, October 21
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Taubman Health Sciences Library, Room 5000
Lunch Provided

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

RESEARCH NEWS 

QUICKLINKS
Fact Sheets
& Hot Topics

Find UMHS facts and figures for your next proposal!

Research Project
Route Map


Research Funding
& Grants Guide


MBECT Resources 

 

UMMS Office

of Research

 

U-M Medical School

 

Competition Space

 

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

    Bridging Support
    Award
    Deadline
    BMRC Bridge Funding
    Monday, October 17

    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
    accolades.RitaScholar
    Rita Allen Foundation Names the First U-M Faculty Member in New Class of Rita Scholars
    Monica Dus, Ph.D., designated the 2016 Milton E. Cassel Scholar

    Since 1976, the Rita Allen Foundation has recognized young leaders in biomedical science whose research holds great promise for revealing new pathways to advance human health. This year, Monica Dus, Ph.D., U-M Assistant Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, has been awarded one of the highly competitive grants, and stands out in the class as the 2016 Milton E. Cassel Scholar, a special award that honors a past foundation president. 

    Dr. Dus's research project, "How Does Sugar in the Diet Influence Feeding Behavior?," uses Drosophila (fruit flies) as a model to understand how a high-sugar diet "deregulates the dynamic balance between hunger and satiety." Dus hopes that her research into the neural, genetic, and epigenetic regulation of feeding behavior will shed light on obesity and overeating - "not as a problem of willpower, but really as a problem of biochemistry - of sugar in the environment changing the brain persistently."

    Congratulations, Dr. Dus! This is a pioneering accomplishment for the entire U-M early-career biomedical research community. 

    For more information, read the full awardee announcement.
    accolades.DistingFac
    38th Annual Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award Announced!
    Janet Smith, Ph.D., to Receive the 2016 Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award in Biomedical Research

    The Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) is pleased to announce that the winner of this year's Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award in Biomedical Research is Janet L. Smith, Ph.D., Margaret J. Hunter Collegiate Professor in the Life Sciences, Director of the Center for Structural Biology, Professor of Biological Chemistry, Professor of Biophysics, and Research Professor in the Life Sciences Institute.

    This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Medical School upon a faculty member for research in the biomedical sciences. Dr. Smith is being recognized for her numerous significant research accomplishments, her outstanding contributions to mentoring and education, and her exemplary leadership, particularly in the structural biology community.

    Dr. Smith will receive this award and give a lecture on:
    Wednesday, September 28, 2016
    4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    Dan and Betty Kahn Auditorium,
    Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building (BSRB)
    A reception will follow the lecture in the BSRB Atrium.

    To read more about Dr. Smith's research and to learn more about the event, visit the event webpageQuestions? Contact Jill Jividen
    training.supportunits
    Tomorrow! Learn About Clinical Trial Support Units
    All faculty and staff involved in clinical trials are invited to attend "Transforming the Clinical Trials Enterprise: Aligning and Operating within the CTSUs," hosted by the Clinical Trials Support Office (CTSO).

    The program will provide the UMHS community with more information about the Clinical Trial Support Units (CTSUs), previously called "nodes," so faculty and staff can decide which CTSU best fits their studies. Faculty and staff will also receive an introduction to OnCore, the clinical trials management system. The evening will end with a forum for Q&A.

    Wednesday, September 14 
    5:00 PM - 6:30 PM 
    Room 5330, Med Sci 1 

    The CTSO has also launched a new website, clinicaltrials.med.umich.edu, which serves as a hub for clinical trial knowledge at UMHS by providing a user-friendly and efficient way of gathering information relevant to your research. 

    Questions about the event or clinical trials in general? Contact ctsogroup@umich.edu 
    funding.SmallGrant
    Call for Proposals! Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center Offers Grants for Technology 
    Have an app, game, or other type of innovative technology in mind? The University of Michigan Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) is currently accepting proposals for the Fall 2016 Small Grant for Technology to support health management and independence.

    The grant is awarded in the spring and fall of each year for an innovative technology project that will improve the lives of adolescents and young adults with physical, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental disabilities.

    Applications due: Wednesday, October 12
    Winner will be announced on November 30, 2016.

    Read about the spring grant winner, Dr. Shapiro, here
    For more information, visit the Fall 2016 Small Grant webpage.
    announcement.palooza
    Facts and Fun at Researchpalooza 2016!
    Researchpalooza, hosted by the Medical School Office of Research (OoR) in conjunction with the UMHS Ice Cream Social, was bigger and better than ever this year! Over 3,500 faculty and staff mixed and mingled with
    team members from 75 different offices and labs who serve biomedical research across campus.
     
    Using the now-famous "Passport to Prizes," attendees were able learn the latest facts and services about the various groups, while having fun and getting the chance to win great prizes. Winners of this year's OoR prize drawings are listed below, along with the winners of prizes from other organizations.

    Deb Anderson Polo Shirt National Poll on Children's Health
    Peter Bayko Spa Basket Biomedical Research Store
    Christine Berry Coffee & Tea Basket Bioinformatics Core
    Cecilia Brenner Grillin' Gift Basket Research Development Support
    Desire Buessler Curious George Gift Basket National Poll on Children's Health
    Pat Burns Welcome Home Basket Metabolomics Core
    Stephen Campbell $50 Amazon gift card MICHR
    Jayme Cannon $2,000 Professional Travel OoR
    Remitha Charoth Livescribe SmartPen MICHR
    Rachel Cross Godiva Chocolate Basket Proteomics & Peptide Synthesis Core
    John Frederiksen $50 Amazon gift card OoR
    Mary Hobson iPad OoR
    Lindy Jensen $50 Amazon gift card OoR
    Omer Kabil Cutting Board Basket Flow Cytometry Core
    Ashley Kalinski T-shirt Animal Care & Use Program
    Steven Kirkhart Bon Appetit Basket Vector Core
    Sunitha Malay $50 Amazon gift card MICHR
    Samantha Milewski Hole in One Basket Epigenomics Core
    Kelly Pavlica T-shirt Animal Care & Use Program
    Lisa Robbins Popcorn & Rootbeer Basket BRCF
    Adrienne Royce Breakfast Basket Microscopy & Image Analysis Laboratory
    Sally Sivrais Giant Jar of Jelly Bellys CRAO
    Tamara Smith T-shirt Animal Care & Use Program
    Evangeline Spindler Night at the Movies Basket DNA Sequencing Core
    Sonal Trivedi T-shirt Animal Care & Use Program
    Jin Wan Breakfast Basket Transgenic Animal Model Core
    Deb Wentworth Oral-B 5000 Electric Toothbrush School of Dentistry Human & Clinical Research Center
     
      In addition to prize drawings for attendees, participating organizations were also competing for Spirit and Customer Service awards Faculty and staff "secret shoppers" wandered the event, evaluating the tables and their staff. The Metabolomics Core won the Customer Service trophy, with secret shoppers observing that while the organization had a small table, the Metabolomics team was engaging and knowledgeable about their services.
     
    The Fast Forward Medical Innovation te am was awarded the Spirit trophy, with secret shoppers impressed with the team's "catch the innovation wave" theme and tropical attire. Honorable Mentions in this category were awarded to the Animal Care & Use Program and NCRC.
     
    "I had no idea it would be so big!" noted Morgan Hayward, new Multimedia Communications Specialist for the OoR. "I wasn't sure what to expect, but the sheer number of people attending and the offices with their fun activities - it was a blast!"

    CLICK HERE to check out fun photos from the day.

    The entire OoR team loves research and all of the talented people who make it possible! Looking forward to 2017, if you know of a lab or organization on campus who you think would benefit from exhibiting at Researchpalooza, have them contact Ann Curtis.
    accolades.DeansAwards
    Congratulations to the 18 Dean's Award Recipients for 2016!
    Dr. Runge recently announced the Dean's Awards recipients for 2016. 
    The Dean's Awards Program recognizes Medical School faculty and staff who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment in the areas of teaching, research, clinical care, community service, innovation, and administration.  The recipients will be honored on Tuesday, November 15, at the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Dinner.
     
    2016 Dean's Awards for Faculty:
    Basic Science Research Award 
    Yatrik M. Shah, Ph.D.
    Elizabeth K. Speliotes, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. 
     
    Clinical and Health Services Research Award
    John Z. Ayanian, M.D., M.P.P.
    Ella A. Kazerooni, M.D., M.S. 
     
    Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award in Biomedical Research
    Janet L. Smith, Ph.D.
     
    Innovation and Commercialization Award
    Israel Hodish, M.D., Ph.D. 
     
    Kaiser Permanente Awards for Excellence in Teaching
    Vineet Chopra, M.D., M.Sc. (clinical)
    Beverly M. Yashar, M.S., Ph.D. (pre-clinical) 
     
    Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Education
    James O. Woolliscroft, M.D. 
     
    Medical School Community Service Award
    N. Cary Engleberg, M.D. (global)
    Stewart C. Wang, M.D., Ph.D. (local)
     
    Outstanding Clinician Award
    Christopher K. Bichakjian, M.D.
    Kevin C. Chung, M.D., M.S.
    Daniel F. Hayes, M.D.
    Steven A. Telian, M.D.
     
    2016 Dean's Awards for Staff: 
    Administrator of the Year Award
    Teri A. Grieb, Ph.D. 

    Professional Staff of the Year Award
    Deborah J. Colesa

    Support Staff of the Year Award
    Dawn R. Krause

    2016 Honorable Mention: 
    Administrator of the Year Honorable Mention
    Julie C. Brabbs, M.B.A.
    Patricia A. Ward, M.P.A.
    Diana M. Witowski, M.B.A. 

    Professional Staff of the Year Honorable Mention
    Arijit K. Bhaumik
    Valerie A. Hill 

    Support Staff of the Year Honorable Mention
    Katharina H. Lebowsky
    Martha Luczak 
     
    Congratulations to the many faculty and staff for their contributions to our tripartite mission of excellence in education, research, and patient care.
    policy.ACUP
    Involved in Animal Research? Plan to Attend an Upcoming Animal User Group Meeting
    As part of ongoing efforts to keep the research community apprised of updates and changes within the Animal Care & Use Program, Faculty Veterinarians from the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) will be hosting several Animal User Group Meetings in September. The primary focus of these meetings will be a review of standards regarding rodent use, including euthanasia, trio breeding, surgical records, and containment housing for human-derived substances.


    For your convenience, meetings have been scheduled at multiple locations across campus throughout September.
    Questions? Please email ULAM or call (734) 764-0277.
     
    training.urop
    UROP Seeking Research Opportunities for Students
    The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) is currently recruiting research projects for the coming academic year. Over 1,200 undergraduate researchers will be available and eager to work on faculty projects.
     
    UROP students can provide invaluable assistance in getting projects started, exploring background information for new projects, or advancing progress on existing work. Current and previous UROP research mentors have formed valuable research partnerships with students who began their research experiences during their first and second years of undergraduate studies. In many cases, students have worked on the same project until graduation, and formed long lasting academic relationships with their sponsors.

    Submit a project and get assistance with your research this academic year!

    If you have questions or would like to connect with a UROP Mentor from your department, please contact Luciana Aenasoaie, UROP Assistant Director.
    training.metacore
    Obtain Access to a Powerful Pathway Analysis & Enrichment Tool at a Fraction of the Cost
    View the flyer
    Do you have a need for a pathway analysis and enrichment tool? The Bioinformatics Core currently licenses MetaCore (formerly GeneGO), a software suite for analysis of Next Generation Sequencing.

    User opportunities are available at the low cost of $1,086. The fee includes access to the software through August 2017 for you and all of your lab members.

    What is MetaCore?
    MetaCore is a systems biology analysis suite with a manually-curated knowledge base. It can be used to perform:
    • pathway enrichment
    • target discovery
    • network building
    • biomarker identification
    • variant analysis
    • and more!
    Its database includes: gene/drug interactions to inform prioritization based on most likely candidates, along with protein-protein, protein-DNA, and protein-RNA interactions.

    To obtain access, please email a shortcode and list of users to Marci Brandenburg.
    training.bootcamp
    Make an Impact with the 2017 R01 Boot Camp Program
    Applications due Monday, October 17
    The U-M Medical School Office of Research is now accepting applications for the 2017 cohort of its Mentored Research Academy: R01 Boot Camp (R01 Boot Camp) program Applications for both coaches and mentees are due Monday, October 17.

    This is the fourth year of the successful mentoring program to support and increase the success rate of Medical School faculty applying for their first NIH Research Project Grant (R01) or equivalent grants.

    R01 Boot Camp is a 10-month program comprised of:
    • Large group events and workshops (e.g., proposal writing seminar, mock review, budget tips) designed to provide mentees with the tools and knowledge needed to write a successful R01 proposal
    • Self-directed interdisciplinary peer group activities to share, develop, and review proposals
    • Faculty coaches with established track records of external funding who provide mentorship to early career investigators
    • Individual counsel on mentee research plans from Internal Subject Matter Experts
    • Final proposal review from External Subject Matter Experts
    The program is currently seeking applications for both mentees (faculty who have not yet been PIs on R01 grants) and coaches (senior faculty who have a history of NIH funding and an interest in mentoring) for the 2017 Boot Camp .

    If you are interested in participating as either a mentee or coach, you are encouraged to self-nominate by completing the application on UMMS Competition Space.

    Additional details are available on the R01 Boot Camp website. Questions should be directed to R01BootCamp@umich.edu or Jill Jividen, Senior Manager for Research Development Support. 
    training.ncrc
    NCRC Releases Annual Report
    The North Campus Research Complex recently released its 2016 Annual Report.  
     
    The report shines a spotlight on how the facility has become a hub for leading-edge, trans-disciplinary innovation at the University of Michigan. In the past seven years, NCRC has created more than 350 new jobs, hosted over 1,000 events, and more than 30 partnerships have co-located there.  
    training.communication
    Trending! Communicating Science
    Upcoming events help researchers polish their communication skills
    UMMS Office of Research, with the expertise of Research Development Support, is hosting a five-part Communicating Science Seminar Series this fall. New this year, the Communicating Science series covers topics from PR and social media to data visualization and website development, and even a sub-series of workshops providing one-on-one assistance with proposal writing. The series will kick-off on September 15 and run through December 9. 

    Communicating Science Seminar Series:

    Public Relations and External Audience Communications
    The Web, Social Media, and Your Research
    Scholarly Communication & Dissemination
    Don't Blind Them with Science! How to Write in Plain Language
    Introduction to Data Visualization
    View the event webpage, and RSVP to one or all of these events!

    In addition to the Communicating Science Seminar Series, attend any of the other communication events this fall:

    Making the Most of Your Presentation
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    BSRB Seminar Rooms

    Communicating Science to Non-Scientists
    8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    BSRB Seminar Rooms

    Think Like an Actor, Present Like a Pro
    Thursday, November 3
    OR
    BSRB Seminar Rooms

    Stay up-to-date on the latest biomedical research events by visiting the UMMS Office of Research event webpage and the Office of Faculty Affairs & Faculty Development event webpage
    training.ETD 
    Want to Fast Track Your Biomedical Project to Market?

    Enroll for the next Early Tech Development course
    Put your novel idea on the path to success by joining the UMMS Fast Forward Medical Innovation's next Early Tech Development Course, beginning Friday, October 7.

    Early Tech Development (ETD) is a 4-week biomedical commercialization course designed for the busy medical academician with an early stage project. The ETD Course blends in-person and online education to help faculty researchers and clinicians prepare a successful business case for funding and development partnerships.

    As a project-based course, participants can enroll their entire team of faculty collaborators, as well as any postdoc, graduate, or medical student. For those without project collaborators or student team members, a group of medical students are available to support the project during the course.

    Friday, October 7 - Friday, November 4
    Enroll now!

    For more information, visit the ETD webpage or contact, Commercialization Education Coordinator, Jon Servoss
    training.suppliershow
    Life Science Suppliers Show Wednesday, September 21
    View the flyer
    Join U-M Procurement Services for a Life Science Suppliers Show on Wednesday, September 21, 2016! Lunch will be provided and you can learn more about how these research supply vendors can help your unit save money:
    • Bio-Rad
    • Corning Life Sciences
    • Dot Scientific, Inc.
    • Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)
    • MilliporeSigma (formerly EMD Millipore)
    • Thermo Fisher Scientific (formerly Life Technologies)
    • QIAGEN
    • Sigma-Aldrich
    And, at the show, be sure to enter a drawing to win one of four great prizes!

    Wednesday, September 21
    11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
    NCRC Building 18, Ground Floor Atrium

    For more information, email, Life Science Procurement Agent Kelly Pavlica, or call (734) 615-8767.
    training.women
    Upcoming Panel Discussion on Overcoming Gender Gaps

    Attend the Women in Basic Science Discussion on Tuesday, October 11

    View the flyer
    Comparable numbers of women and men train in the biological sciences but fewer women achieve the rank of professor. Women scientists also receive lower salaries and grant funding compared to male scientists. Why do these inequalities exist and how can women thrive and succeed in science and avoid the leaky pipelines?

    The University of Michigan Office of Health Equity and Inclusion is hosting a panel discussion to discuss the gender gaps in basic science and how women can overcome them. A panel of distinguished women scientists will discuss these topics with the audience:
    • Negotiation and promotion strategies
    • Laboratory management
    • Work/life balance
    • Networking
    • Strategies for success
    Tuesday, October 11
    2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
    Danto Auditorium, Cardiovascular Center

    This discussion will empower women and advance their potential to become productive and successful scientists.  Questions? Contact Durga Singer .
    training.clinical
    Orientation for Clinical Investigators Begins Wednesday, October 19

    Designed for  early career  faculty or experienced researchers  new to clinical research at U-M

    One of the Clinical Trials Transformation's primary goals is to develop a highly trained, innovative, and skilled workforce, including those who initiate and conduct clinical trials. Imperative to accomplishing this goal is providing new faculty (new to clinical research or new to the University of Michigan) with an orientation to the roles and responsibilities of a principal investigator and how to conduct clinical research safely and efficiently.

    To that end, the Medical School Office of Research and the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), are hosting the Orientation for Clinical Investigators, which will provide an overview of information, resources, and tools necessary to comply with regulations related to clinical research and how to navigate the University of Michigan clinical research support infrastructure.

    The in-person program is required for new faculty who will be engaged in any research that involves interaction with human subjects.

    Wednesday, October 19
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
    Tueday, October 25
    1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    Tueday, November 29
    8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Danto Auditorium, Cardiovascular Center (CVC)
    There is no charge to participants or department for participation.

    If you have questions about the program or resources provided by the Clinical Trials Support Office, please email CTSO.
    training.Massey
    Call for Abstracts: Massey Regional TBI Conference

    Join the Massey Foundation on October 24, 2016

    undefined
    The U-M Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care is sponsoring a one-day conference, which will explore the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of traumatic brain injury through lectures, a poster session, and scientific presentations from funded Massey TBI Grand Challenge teams. The Massey Regional TBI Conference will be held on Monday, October 24.

    Investigators are invited to submit abstracts for posters and presentations by Friday, September 16. Abstracts may address preclinical, clinical, and health services research. Up to five abstracts will be selected for oral presentation.

    Abstracts due: Friday, September 16

    Monday, October 24 
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM 
    Great Lakes Room, Palmer Commons
    Lunch and refreshments provided. 

    For more information, visit the conference website.  
    training.mixedmethods
    Are You Working on a Mixed Methods Research Project?
    Register for the Interactive-Participatory Workshop in  November
    Are you excited by mixed method research? Do you want to learn more? 

    The University of Michigan's Mixed Methods Research and Scholarship Program (M3RSP) is hosting a three-day workshop, which is open to researchers in all stages of their career - faculty, staff, and students - from any institution, who are motivated to design a mixed methods research project using both qualitative and quantitative methods. All participants must be conducting a mixed methods project or actively designing or reworking a mixed methods project.

    November 9, 10, & 11
    North Campus Research Complex
    Participation is limited

    Questions? Contact Satoko Motohara
    training.MICHR
    Improve Your Career Development Grant Application

    Join MICHR for a three-part workshop beginning on Wednesday, November 9

    Are you preparing a career development grant application (NIH K or VA CDA) for submission in 2016?

    The Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) is hosting a three-part workshop that will help you get peer critique and feedback from senior faculty who are experienced in NIH study section thinking. The workshop only "works" if people have drafts to discuss, so participants will exchange drafts of their proposals.

    If you are writing an application for a different award and would like feedback or editing services, check out services available through the Research Development Core.

    November 9, November 30, and December 14
    5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    Collaboration Space (open space), MICHR
    Building 400, NCRC

    Registration Required by Sunday, October 23

    Questions? Contact MICHR
    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:

    amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research - Research Grants
     

    amfAR's Investment Grants aim to harness technology developed by bioengineers to solve the problems posed by the viral reservoir. Recent advances in nanomachines, synthetic biomarkers, in vivo sensors, multi-omic single cell platforms, and other technologies have yet to be evaluated for their usefulness in curing HIV. Investment Grants provide a funding mechanism through which potentially groundbreaking, early stage approaches are encouraged, regardless of risk or scalability, by requiring collaborations between bioengineers and HIV cure scientists.

    Submission of Letters of Intent is a two-step, online process:
    You must request log-in credentials no later than 3:00 PM EDT,on Friday, September 23.  Use the log-in information to complete and submit the LOI online through the portal. LOIs must be submitted via the portal no later than 3:00 PM EDT, on Tuesday, September 27.

    Award
    Amount
    Deadline
    $1.5M
    Friday,
    September 23

    JDRF: User Centric Next Generation Artificial Pancreas Systems - Product Development Funding

    JDRF is launching an initiative to develop less intrusive closed loop Artificial Pancreas (AP) systems, sometimes called Automated Insulin Delivery. AP systems are a combined Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), algorithm, and insulin delivery system which automates insulin delivery for the therapeutic treatment of Type 1 diabetes. Applicants are invited to submit an Expressions of Interest (EOI), which is a short summary of the proposed project. Based on these EOIs, potential applications will be subsequently invited to develop and submit full proposals. Applicants are strongly advised to discuss their proposed project with the JDRF Artificial Pancreas Lead, Dr. Vincent Crabtree, before submitting.

    Award
    Amount
    Deadline
    $7M Thursday,
    September 29

    Simons Foundation: Collaborations in Mathematics and Physical Sciences - Research Grants
    Stimulate progress on fundamental scientific questions of major importance in mathematics, theoretical physics, and theoretical computer science. Applications should address a mathematical or theoretical topic of fundamental scientific importance, where a significant new development creates a novel area for exploration or provides a new direction for progress in an established field.

    Award
    Amount
    Deadline
    $10M
    Monday,
    October 3
    Up to $2.5 million per year for four years

    Medical Research Fellowships Program - Fellowships
    The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has issued a Call for Applications for its 2017 Medical Research Fellows Program. The program is designed to give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a year of basic, translational, or applied biomedical research.

    Students select their own mentor at any academic or nonprofit research institution in the United States (excluding the National Institutes of Health or any other federal agency) or abroad (provided the proposed mentor is affiliated with a U.S. fellowship institution) and work with the mentor to develop a research proposal. Medical, dental, or veterinary students at schools located in the U.S. are eligible for the program.

    Award Amount Deadline
    $50K
    Wednesday, January 11, 2017

    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
    Mentoring at UMMS: Put on your Peer Goggles

    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.)  

    The positive effects of peer mentoring are well documented, indicating mutually beneficial outcomes for both mentors and mentees. Senior faculty find fulfillment in sharing expertise, promoting scholarly values, and nurturing a new generation of researchers. Junior faculty gain emotional support, expanded knowledge, professional guidance, and, oftentimes, earlier successes.

    Toward the goal of increasing NIH R01 success rates for early career faculty, the U-M Medical School has leveraged the benefits of peer mentoring through R01 Boot Camp, now entering its fourth year. Participants (mentees) are grouped into teams led by senior faculty coaches, as well as matched 1:1 with subject matter experts (SMEs). While developing R01 proposals over the 10-month course, mentees get much direction and several rounds of feedback-via Chalk Talk presentations within departments; from team peers and coaches; from SMEs, and from external reviewers.

    Since "graduation," the first two Boot Camp cohorts have brought in more than $58 million in new research funding, including 23 R01s and nine other R awards. The pilot program had a 43.8% R01 success rate (within 19 months of program completion) for mentees who submitted R01 applications.

    R01 Boot Camp is currently accepting applications for mentees and coaches for the 2017 program, due October 17, 2016. The program will begin January 11 and run through October 2017.

    Additional mentorship options at UMMS include:
    • asking your Chair about mentorship options within your department,
    • mentoring opportunities offered by the UMMS Office of Faculty Affairs, or
    • using the Michigan Experts database to seek out a mentor by research specialty.
    Helpful Links:

    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.