Gates Foundation Announced Grand Challenges Explorations Round 6 Grant Awards

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced 88 grants to explore bold and largely unproven ways to improve global health. The grants of US$100,000 each will be made to researchers from 25 countries. This marks the sixth round of funding from Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to help lower the barriers for testing innovative ideas in global health.

Projects selected for funding focused on polio eradication and vaccines, cell-phone applications for global health, new approaches to cure HIV, sanitation technologies, and new ideas to improve the health of mothers and newborns. To read more about the new grants please visit http://www.grandchallenges.org/Explorations/Pages/GrantsAwarded.aspx.

Winners were selected from more than 2,500 proposals and approximately 100 countries. They represent a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, including health researchers, computer and electronic engineers, and entrepreneurs.

"One bold idea is all it takes to catalyze new approaches to global health and development," said Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of Global Health at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "Despite the progress in global health and development, we vitally need creative ideas to discover and deliver life-saving vaccines, eradicate the next disease or slow the spread of preventable diseases."

The foundation is currently accepting proposals for Round 7 of Grand Challenges Explorations until May 19, 2011 on the following topics, the first two of which are new:

* Explore Nutrition for Healthy Growth of Infants and Children
* Apply Synthetic Biology to Global Health Challenges
* The Poliovirus Endgame: Create Innovative Ways to Accelerate, Sustain, and Monitor Eradication
* Create the Next Generation of Sanitation Technologies
* Design New Approaches to Cure HIV Infection
* Create Low-Cost Cell Phone-Based Solutions for Improved Uptake and Coverage of Childhood Vaccinations

Applicants can be at any experience level; in any discipline; and from any organization, including colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies. Initial grants will be US $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of up to US $1 million.

NIH Policy Updates April 2011

New Guidance on Appeals of NIH Initial Peer Review, NOT-OD-11-064, April 15, 2011

New Page Limit for Plans for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research for Ks and Ts, March 29, 2011 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-059.html

New Investigators Given More Time to Prepare Resubmission Applications, March 23, 2011,
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-057.html

Submission Policy for Letters of Reference for Fellowship and Career Development Applications, February 28, 2011,
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-036.html

Electronic Submission for Single-Project Cooperative Agreements, February 25, 2011
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-048.html

NIH Cuts Staff at Commons: Expect Delays

From the NIAID News Bulletin:


Challenges for the Commons: A New Era for eRA
NIH made significant cutbacks in staffing for eRA Commons. Here's what it means for you:

Slower response to inquiries for general assistance and user support.
Longer downtimes and scheduled system outages. Delays in system upgrades and improvements. Possible lags in fixing problems. There are a few actions you can take to weather what we hope is a quickly passing storm.

Keep eRA Commons Frequently Asked Questions at your fingertips.
Submit your application well before the receipt date -- we recommend at least a week early. Send your annual reports as soon as you have the information you need, in case you encounter technical problems. Stay on top of eRA's Latest News and Get Connected to hear about outages, updates, and system issues. Check eRA Deployment and Maintenance Calendar regularly. Allow several days for eRA to respond to emails and anticipate longer than expected hold times if you call in.

NEH Digging into Data Challenge

What is the "challenge" we speak of? The idea behind the Digging into Data Challenge is to address how "big data" changes the research landscape for the humanities and social sciences. Now that we have massive databases of materials used by scholars in the humanities and social sciences -- ranging from digitized books, newspapers, and music to transactional data like web searches, sensor data or cell phone records -- what new, computationally-based research methods might we apply? As the world becomes increasingly digital, new techniques will be needed to search, analyze, and understand these everyday materials. Digging into Data challenges the research community to help create the new research infrastructure for 21st century scholarship.

Final applications must be received by 23:59 (Greenwich Mean Time) on June 16, 2011 and must be submitted via the competition website, http://www.diggingintodata.org/.

National Endowment for the Humanities Collections Deadline July 20, 2011

The Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program supports projects that provide an essential foundation for scholarship, education, and public programming in the humanities. Thousands of libraries, archives, museums, and historical organizations across the country maintain important collections of books and manuscripts, photographs, sound recordings and moving images, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, art and material culture, and digital objects. Funding from this program strengthens efforts to extend the life of such materials and make their intellectual content widely accessible, often through the use of digital technology. Awards are also made to create various reference resources that facilitate use of cultural materials, from works that provide basic information quickly to tools that synthesize and codify knowledge of a subject for in-depth investigation. Applications may be submitted for projects that address one or more of the following activities:

• arranging and describing archival and manuscript collections;


• cataloging collections of printed works, photographs, recorded sound, moving images, art, and material culture;


• providing conservation treatment (including deacidification) for collections, leading to enhanced access;


• digitizing collections;


• preserving and improving access to born-digital sources;


• developing databases, virtual collections, or other electronic resources to codify information on a subject or to provide integrated access to selected humanities materials;
  creating encyclopedias;


• preparing linguistic tools, such as historical and etymological dictionaries, corpora, and reference grammars (separate funding is available for endangered language projects in partnership with the National Science Foundation);


• developing tools for spatial analysis and representation of humanities data, such as atlases and geographic information systems (GIS); and
  designing digital tools to facilitate use of humanities reources.

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade

The Avon Foundation research programs focus on efforts towards understanding the causes of and prevention of breast cancer. Applications in the area of prevention should clearly identify if they are proposing studies of the etiology and causes of breast cancer, primary prevention or prevention of the spread or recurrence. The 2011 Avon Foundation Research Program RFP and application form can be found here. For 2011 there is a 2-stage process: (i) letter of intent, (ii) invited, full proposal submission. There will be two receipt dates and review cycles in 2011.
Letters-of-Intent may be submitted by:

January 21, 2011 (Cycle 1)

May 6, 2011 (Cycle 2)

The current research priority areas for the Avon Foundation are:

Understanding causes of breast cancer and research to develop new preventative strategies

Understanding the role of endogenous and exogenous environmental factors in the development of breast cancer

Understanding whether viruses or infectious agents play a role in breast cancer

Validation of markers/biomarkers of breast cancer risk or that signal different breast states such as parous/nulliparous (note we do not support discovery research, rather we direct our funds to validation, translation or clinical application of markers)

Development of clinically applicable assays or diagnostic tests that are predictive of breast cancer risk or that can be used to monitor changes in breast health over time

Understanding how parity and breastfeeding alter breast cancer risk
Research grant applicants may request up to $300,000 total costs over two years (thus, approximately $150,000 total costs per year for 2 years).

Canadian Studies Grants

The Canadian Government, through the Embassy in Washington, DC and its Consulates throughout the United States, supports research, conferences, teaching, and program activity related to Canada and/or Canada-U.S. relations. The Canadian Studies Grant Program encourages comparative research and teaching, faculty exchanges, student mobility, and collaboration between American and Canadian researchers. We also seek to build stronger ties between American and Canadian universities and colleges.
We ask that you forward this notice to faculty and doctoral students who may be interested in our grant program. More information on the grant program is available below.
We are particularly interested in projects that have policy relevance for Canada and Canada-U.S. relations. Such topics include:
• North American economic competitiveness
• Energy and environments
• Security
• Arctic issues
You, your colleagues, and students may be interested in one of the following grant programs:
Faculty Research Grant Program assists individual scholars or teams of scholars in writing an article-length manuscript of publishable quality with a focus on Canada or Canada-U.S. relations. Applications due: November 1, 2011.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington/studies-etudes/research-recherche.aspx?lang=eng
Conference Grant Program supports conferences that address important and timely issues about Canada or Canada-U.S. relations. It is designed to assist an institution in holding a conference and publishing the resulting papers and proceedings in a scholarly fashion. Applications due: June 30, 2011.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington/studies-etudes/conference.aspx?lang=eng
Doctoral Student Research Award offers doctoral students an opportunity to conduct part of their dissertation research in Canada. The program is intended for students whose dissertations are related in substantial part to the study of Canada. Applications due: December 1, 2011.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington/studies-etudes/doctoral-doctorat.aspx?lang=eng
Faculty Enrichment Program provides faculty members an opportunity to develop or update a course with substantial Canadian content that will be offered as part of their regular teaching load. Applications due: December 1, 2011.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington/studies-etudes/enrichment-complement.aspx?lang=eng
In 2010-11, the Canadian Studies Grant Program provided support to faculty, researchers, and graduate students at institutions across the U.S. More than 80 projects were funded on a wide range of topics and in many disciplines. Click here for a list of recent grant recipients and their projects.
For complete Grant Guidelines and information about our other grant programs, please visit:
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington/studies-etudes/programs-programmes.aspx?lang=eng

Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss their interest in the grant program with a Canadian government officer in their area.
We would like to encourage faculty and students to sign up for Canada Watch, a bi-weekly summary of the publications and commentaries from Canadian think tanks and research centers on a wide range of Canadian and Canada-U.S. issues and NewsCan, a weekly summary of news from Canada.
We appreciate your interest in Canadian Studies and thank you for sharing this information about the Canadian Studies Grant Program with your colleagues and students.
Regards,
Michael Brown

Michael Brown
Associate, Research and Academic Relations
Associé, Recherche et relations académiques
Embassy of Canada Ambassade du Canada
501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel: (202) 682-7727
michael.brown@international.gc.ca

Funding News April 27 2011

Title: Therapeutics Development Initiative
Sponsor: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
URL: http://www.michaeljfox.org/research_openFundingPrograms_program.cfm?ID=23

Deadline: June 1, 2011

Amount: No fixed limit

Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional

Abstract: Part of the annual Pipeline Programs, this funding program seeks to support preclinical development of Parkinson’s disease therapies which have the potential for fundamentally altering disease course and/or improving treatment of symptoms above and beyond current standards of care. Proposals must focus on key and critical preclinical studies necessary for developing, optimizing and evaluating therapeutic strategies that, if successful, can move into human testing.

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Title: Research Awards
Sponsor: LAM Foundation
URL: http://www.thelamfoundation.org/research1/research-funding.html

Deadline: July 30, 2011

Amount: $50,000

Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional

Abstract: LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis) Foundation research awards include Post Doctoral Fellowships, Established Investigator Awards, and Pilot Project Awards.

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Title: Research Grants
Sponsor: Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America
URL: http://www.cfids.org/research/rfa-2011.asp

Deadline: June 3, 2011

Amount: $100,000

Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional

Abstract: The current purpose of the Association’s research program is to build, support, and link a critical mass of innovative and credible researchers focused on early detection, objective diagnosis and effective treatment and to create, identify and leverage new private and commercial funding sources and opportunities for chronic fatigue syndrome investigators.

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Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
Sponsor: Helen Hay Whitney Foundation
URL: http://www.hhwf.org/HTMLSrc/ResearchFellowships.html

Deadline: July 14, 2011

Amount: $137,000

Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional

Abstract: Supports early postdoctoral research training in all basic biomedical sciences.

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Title: International Security and Foreign Policy Program
Sponsor: Smith Richardson Foundation
URL: http://www.srf.org/grants/international_junior_faculty.php

Deadline: June 15, 2011

Amount: $60,000

Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional

Abstract: The program supports tenure-track junior faculty engaged in the research and writing of a scholarly book on an issue or topic of interest to the policy community. Projects in military and diplomatic history are especially encouraged. Group or collaborative projects will not be considered.

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Title: Research Grants
Sponsor: Children’s Leukemia Research Association
URL: http://www.childrensleukemia.org/ResearchPast%20Pres.htm

Deadline: June 30, 2011

Amount: $30,000

Eligibility: Ph.D./M.D./Other Professional

Abstract: Funds most promising research

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Postdoctoral Program in Environmental Chemistry

Deadline: August 25, 2011 Announcement: Late October 2011 The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation seeks to further the development of scientific leadership in the field of environmental chemistry with a postdoctoral fellowship program. The Postdoctoral Program in Environmental Chemistry provides a principal investigator with an award of $120,000 over two years to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow in environmental chemistry. Eligibility The Postdoctoral Program in Environmental Chemistry is open to all academic and other not-for-profit organizations in the States, Districts, and Territories of the United States of America. Applications are accepted from principal investigators that have well-established research efforts in environmental science or engineering. These research activities need not be located in traditional departments in the chemical sciences, and collaboration across departments and institutions is encouraged. Research Areas of Interest Applications most likely to be of interest should describe innovative fundamental research in the chemical sciences or engineering related to the environment. Examples include but are not limited to the chemistry associated with: the climate, the atmosphere, aquatic or marine settings, toxicology, soil or groundwater. Also of interest are chemistry-related energy research (renewable sources, sequestration, etc.), and new or green approaches to chemical synthesis and processing, with a clearly stated relation to the environment. More

The Health Effects Institute

NEW Request for Applications 11-1: Health Outcomes Research – Assessing the Health Outcomes of Air Quality Actions RFA 11-1 solicits applications for studies designed to assess the health effects of actions to improve air quality and to develop methods required for, and specifically suited to, conducting such research. Preference will be given to (1) studies that evaluate regulatory and other actions at the national or regional level implemented over multiple years; (2) studies that evaluate complex sets of actions targeted at improving air quality in large urban areas and major ports with well documented air quality problems and programs to address them; and (3) studies that develop methods to support such health outcomes research. Investigators are strongly encouraged to submit a Preliminary Application by May 18, 2011. Investigators who do not submit a preliminary application should submit a Letter of Intent by July 13, 2011. All investigators should submit a Full Application by August 17, 2011. For more information please contact Dr. Annemoon van Erp (+1 617 488 2346) or Dr. Aaron Cohen (+1 617 488 2325). Request for Applications 10-3: Health Effects of Air Pollution RFPA 10-3 provides a mechanism for investigators whose area of interest falls outside of the current RFAs but is compatible with the HEI research program and mission. Applications can be submitted at any time. The deadlines for receiving preliminary applications for consideration at the Spring and Fall meetings are May 24, 2011 and September 20, 2011. For more information please contact Dr. Kate Adams (+1 617 488 2330). Download the Fall 2010 RFA booklet

OMB Guidance on Grants/Contracts During Goverment Shutdown

From: Joe Titone [mailto:titone@usc.edu] Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 8:00 PM To: cogr-list@usc.edu Subject: COGR: OMB Guidance on Grants/Contracts During Government Shutdown The Office of Management and Budget has issued a memorandum outlining issues related to the federal government’s Planning for Agency Operations During a Lapse in Government Funding. The guidance to Federal agencies includes a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda_default. Section II of OMB Director Jacob Lew’s memorandum to Heads of Departments and Agencies (M-11-13, April 7, 2011) addresses Questions and Answers on Contracts & Grants (page 6+). The Memorandum states “In the situation in which performance under an already-issued contract or grant is not impacted by such a lapse (as described in the memorandum), the contractor or grantee may continue to proceed with its work during the lapse period. “ It is important to note that agencies have the discretion to halt activity on individual grants or contracts but the grantee/contractor would be notified by the agency and normal termination provisions would prevail. This memorandum is designed to address activities conducted by Federal employees. Generally, Federal employees will not be conducting routine activities in oversight, inspection, accounting, administration, etc. No new grants or contracts will be issued. According to OMB, grantees can continue to drawdown funds on letters of credit for already issued grants during the shutdown. The PMS and ASP system will continue to function. Grants.gov will continue to operate. However, these systems will operate with limited capacity – help desks and administrative support activities will be significantly reduced. We will continue to review and evaluate the Memorandum and provide additional general observations and understandings to the membership. Carol Blum Director, Research Compliance and Administration Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) 1200 New York Ave., NW, Suite 750 Washington DC 20005 202-289-6655, ext. 117 cblum@cogr.edu

White House says critical websites won't be affected by shutdown

From Nextgov By William Matthews 04/07/2011 This story has been updated. In the event of a government shutdown, federal websites "would remain operational" if they are deemed "necessary to avoid significant damage to the execution of authorized or accepted activities," a White House official told Nextgov in an email message late Wednesday. Websites deemed critical would keep operating even if the cost of doing so comes from appropriations that have lapsed, she said. After days of confusion, the fate of federal websites in the event of a government shutdown became a bit clearer as senior Obama administration officials scrambled to prepare for the possibility For more. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110407_4872.php?oref=rss?zone=NGtoday