Definition
The Functional Atlas of Orphan Nuclear Receptors Pilot and Feasibility Grant Program provides research support for 1–2 years, enabling eligible investigators to explore the feasibility of a concept related to the mission of the Functional Atlas of Orphan Nuclear Receptors Consortium (www.nursa.org) and generate sufficient data to pursue it through other funding mechanisms (R01). Pilot and feasibility studies are intended to fill gaps in the Atlas program by:
- Allowing for the exploration of possible innovative new leads or directions for established investigators in Orphan Nuclear Receptors; or
- Encouraging investigators from other areas to lend their expertise to research in this area. Pilot and feasibility study support is not intended for large projects by established investigators who would otherwise be submitted as separate research grant applications.
Note: This program is funded through National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases grant U19DK062434, cofunded by the NIA and the National Cancer Institute.
Requirements
Projects are restricted to a maximum of $75,000 in direct costs per year for no more than 2 years of support. Renewal for a second year is contingent on progress and continued focus on "Atlas" objectives.
Eligibility and Related Guidelines
Eligible investigators for pilot and feasibility funding generally fall into three categories:
- New investigators without current or past NIH research support as a principal investigator;
- Established investigators with no previous work in Orphan or Nuclear Receptors who wish to apply their expertise to a problem in this area; and
- Established investigators in Orphan or Nuclear Receptors who propose testing highly innovative ideas that represent a clear departure from ongoing research interests.
All eligible investigators must have faculty appointments and be independent investigators. These awards are not intended for postdoctoral training. Each pilot and feasibility study proposal should state the justification for the investigator's eligibility under one of the above three criteria.
Scientific Focus Areas for 2004
The focus areas of the 2004 Pilot and Feasibility award program are the following:
- Aging. Applications proposing research that addresses the role of age-related changes in nuclear receptors and their coregulators in the aging process and/or in diseases with age-related increased incidence will be accepted. Examples include, but are not limited to, the role of nuclear receptors in increased lifespan of model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila or mice, and a longitudinal characterization of nuclear receptors and coregulators in age-related metabolic or reproductive changes in mice.
- Obesity. Applications proposing research that addresses the role(s) of nuclear or orphan receptors and their coregulators in the development, progression, and/or complications of obesity will be accepted. Research that utilizes model organisms, mouse models of obesity, or that coordinates with ongoing "Atlas" efforts (www.nursa.org) is encouraged.
A proposed pilot and feasibility study should present a testable hypothesis or alternatively, a strong scientific rationale for the development or application of an essential reagent, assay, or innovative technology that would advance the goals of the "Atlas" Consortium. The proposal should:
- Present clearly the questions, detail the procedures, and discuss how the data will be analyzed and integrated within the "Atlas" program.
- Address one of the topics given for 2004 and be complementary to the overall mission of the Functional Atlas of Orphan Nuclear Receptors Consortium.
Projects should be focused because funding for these studies is modest. Progress will be evaluated to determine whether a second year of support is warranted. In principle, an investigator is eligible only once for this support, unless the proposed work is considered of vital long-term importance to the "Atlas" Consortium. Applicants should address IP issues and willingness to share according to "Atlas" policies on data sharing and technology transfer (see http://www.nursa.org/template.cfm?threadId=40 on the Nursa Web site).
A PHS 398 application kit should be used for submitting a pilot and feasibility study. Each project should begin with a face page, abstract, and budget pages followed by information requested in Sections A–I of the instructions for the PHS 398 grant application (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms_faq.pdf). It should be submitted using the NIH research project application format (i.e., appropriate signatures should be included on the face page, and the description of the proposed research should be limited to five pages). All pilot and feasibility studies should be submitted no later than April 15, 2004. Send five copies if submitting via hardcopy. If submitting via e-mail, send to:
Dr. Neil McKenna
Program Coordinator
Functional Atlas Consortium
Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-798-8568
Fax: 713-798-5599
nmckenna@bcm.tmc.edu
Electronic submissions are encouraged and may be sent to the e-mail address above. Additional information about the "Functional Atlas of Orphan Nuclear Receptors" may be obtained from:
Dr. Ronald Margolis
Senior Advisor
Molecular Endocrinology
Associate Director for Grants Administration
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Democracy 2, Room 693
Bethesda, MD 20892-5460
Phone: 301-594-8819
Fax: 301-435-6047
rm76f@nih.gov
Dr. Frank L. Bellino
Deputy Associate Director
Biology of Aging Program
National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C231
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-496-6428
bellinof@nia.nih.gov
