Pilot Grants | Pilot Grants

Letter of Intent: due February 5, 2019
Final Application: due April 5, 2019
Funds Available: July 1, 2019

All materials should be submitted to the TRP.

Download the application instructions.

Purpose of grants

Proposed research projects must be related to the goals of the Translational Research Program (TRP). In brief, the TRP has been established to encourage the development of interactions between basic scientists and clinicians to foster the development of non-clinical and clinical investigations for children with serious diseases. Thus, studies which include the participation of both clinicians and basic scientists are preferred. The ultimate goal of the TRP is to facilitate clinical trials that utilize the findings generated through this funding mechanism.

Types of grants available

• New research proposals: These grants are for one year of support. The maximum allowable budget (direct costs) is $100,000. The number of awardees will be determined by the quality of the proposals, the total amounts of the requested budgets of sufficiently meritorious proposals, and available funds. It is anticipated that 6-8 awards will be made in the $50,000-$100,000 range.
• Competing renewal applications: For those projects previously supported by the TRP, a second year of support may be sought. These applications will be reviewed in the same manner as new applications. Applications must include a Progress to Date section, and must convincingly justify the need for more support.

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from all faculty of Boston Children's Hospital, including nursing, health outcomes and other health care faculty with advanced degrees (MD, PhD, MD, PhD, or equivalent). Clusters of investigators spanning disciplines and programs made up of basic and clinical faculty are strongly encouraged. Fellows are not eligible.

Process

The initial application will consist of a 2 page Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI will be screened to examine if the proposed research project supports the goals of the TRP. The screening process will be performed by a multidisciplinary committee representing established researchers at CHB and chaired by the Director of the Translational Research Program. Following the initial screening, an invitation will be sent to selected investigators to submit the full application. Funding of selected proposals will commence on July 1st.

Letter of intent

For research proposals, the LOI consists of the application face page (see #1 below in "Composition of Research Proposal") and 1-2 pages of the hypothesis and specific aims page (see #9 below in "Composition of Research Proposal"). The aims should include a brief description of the research design and methods. All LOI applications must be submitted to TRP@childrens.harvard.edu. An email confirmation of receipt will be returned to the applicant.

Signatures

The signature of the primary investigator (and co-investigator) is required in the Letter of Intent initial application. Additionally, the signature of the primary investigator's Department Chairman is required and indicates his/her commitment to providing 30% match of direct costs (plus associated applicable overhead) should the proposal be awarded.

Letter of support

Full applications must include a letter of support from the primary applicant's chairperson. Included in the letter of support must be a statement regarding the priority of the research proposal for the division, particularly as it relates to patient resources.

Required format

Applications must also be submitted electronically (except letter of support, unless it is also available electronically). Send a PDF file of assembled proposal to TRP@childrens.harvard.edu.

Full proposals, if invited, must be submitted in single spaced text, one-half inch margins, and no smaller than an 11-point font. Arial or Helvetica typeface is preferred. The primary applicant's name must appear in the upper right hand corner of each page. Proposal text must be limited to five pages (including figures but excluding references). Standard PHS 398 forms for budget, biosketch, other support, and re-sources may be used and may be submitted as separate files.

Composition of research proposal

• Face page (check all appropriate COMS, animal, IRB, or Radiation Safety approvals or indicate pending if submitted)
• Abstracts (Scientific and Lay)
• Tables of Contents
• Detailed Budget (1 year; use PHS 398 form provided)
• Budget Justification
• Biosketch(es) (Include PI and co-investigators; use PHS 398 form)
• Other support (PHS 398 form)
• Resources (PHS 398 form)
• Hypothesis and Specific Aims
• Background and Significance
• Preliminary Results or, if 2nd year renewal, Progress Report
• Research Design and Methods
• Statement of how proposal supports TRP mission
• *Statement of Commercialization Potential (include any issues of intellectual property).
• Literature cited
• Letter of support from Division chairperson
• *Letters of support from collaborators or consultants

*optional