Call for pilot proposals on Alzheimer's disease

ADRC Seed Monies Grant Program  (Funding Period: April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018)

Introduction:    One of the research missions of the Alzheimer Disease Research Center (ADRC) is to fund pilot grants to stimulate new and innovative research relevant to Alzheimer’s disease.  Types of research can range from basic science to psychosocial in methodology, with particular attention given to novel approaches.  Proposed research may involve humans, other animals or in vitro studies.  The investigator is responsible for obtaining appropriate Institutional Review Board or Animal Care and Use Committee approval for the proposal.  The patient population, clinical, and neuropathological databases of the ADRC are available resources for approved proposals.   Additional resources include the database from the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center (NACC).   Priority will be given to studies which have the highest chance of leading to subsequent external peer reviewed funding.  Applications must clearly state the significance and innovation of the proposed research to Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders.

Criteria for Review:  The following will be considered in evaluating the merit of a proposal.

  • Soundness of scientific principles.
  • Novelty of the scientific approach.
  • Scientific merit.
  • Likelihood of providing new and valuable insights into possible causes of treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Background and experience of the investigator(s)
  • Adequacy of the resources and environment.
  • Appropriateness of the budget for the proposed work.
  • Strong likelihood that the pilot work will lead to subsequent extramural peer reviewed funding.

Eligibility:  Applicants must be full-time faculty or post-doctoral fellows of the University of Pittsburgh.  Post-doctoral fellows must have a letter of support from their mentor and department chair indicating they will be at the University through 2018.  Previous recipients of ADRC seed monies are not eligible.

Budget:  Direct cost budgets up to $25,000 will be considered.  There is no allowance for travel, tuition, publication costs or major equipment. Please contact the ADRC Administrator, Leslie Dunn, MPH (dunnlo@upmc.edu) with budget questions.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Letter of Intent:  A brief description of the proposed pilot study should be e-mailed to Leslie Dunn, MPH, Center Administrator (dunnlo@upmc.edu) by October 7, 2016.   Please include title of the proposal, names of investigators/co-investigators, brief description of project, and a brief statement of relevance of the proposed research to the field. Investigators invited to submit a full proposal will be notified by October 12, 2016.

Deadline:   Applications must be received no later than October 28, 2016 with funding to start April 1, 2017. (Please follow application guidelines.)

Application Guidelines: The proposal should consist of the following sections.

  • Title Page (ADRC version)
  • Abstract (Project Summary – Form Page 2)
  • Budget and Budget Justification (PHS 398 Form Page 4 and form Page 5)
  • Biographical Sketch(es) (New Biosketch format - Version D 3/25/16)
  • Resources and Environment (PHS Form page)
  • Other Support
  • Research Plan
  1. Introduction to Application (Not applicable)
  2. Specific Aims
  3. Research Strategy (Significance, Innovation and Approach, as well as  Preliminary Studies, if applicable)
  4. Bibliography and References Cited
  5. Protection of Human subjects
  6. Data Safety Monitoring Plan, if applicable
  7. Inclusion of Women and Minorities
  8. Targeted/Planned Enrollment Table, if applicable
  9. Inclusion of children
  10. Vertebrate Animals
  11. Select Agent Research
  12. Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan (Not applicable)
  13. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
  14. Letters of Support (e.g., Consultants)
  15. Resource Sharing Plan(s)
  16. Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources, if applicable

Please provide a list of three prospective reviewers.  The specific aims and hypotheses are limited to one page and the research strategy is limited to a total of six single-spaced pages based on PHS 398 (Rev. 03/2016) format and guidelines.  Abstract, budget, biographical sketches and resources and environment sections should be on the standard forms for PHS grants (03/2016).  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html

Send application materials: Via e-mail to adrcadmin@upmc.edu  (Send Word documents.  No PDFs please.) Also send hard copy of the application to: Leslie Dunn, MPH, ADRC Administrator, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, 4-West UPMC Montefiore Hospital, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA  15213

For more information:  Interested applicants should discuss potential submission with