NSF NEWS

Keep up with today’s research news from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at noteworthy scientific findings from researchers around the country.

• New study details impacts on food security caused by flooding (A new study by researchers at New York University and other institutions details ways that flooding can affect food security. The study tracked the…)
• Keeping indoor humidity levels at a "sweet spot" may reduce spread of COVID-19 (Proper indoor ventilation is key to reducing the spread of COVID-19. Now, a study by MIT researchers finds that indoor relative humidity may also…)
• Hand-held diagnostic lab offers point-of-care solution for future pandemics (Using swarms of pinhead-sized magnets inside a hand-held, all-in-one lab kit, University of California, Los Angeles researchers have developed a…)
• What shapes the composition of microbes in a warbler's gut? (Differences in bacteria and other microorganisms that live in birds' digestive tracts — their gut microbiomes — are not primarily driven by diet…)

Purpose: This $1.2M transition award offers up to six years of support (3 years in the mentored/postdoc phase, 3 years once awardees have achieved independence in a tenure-track role), and additionally provides professional development opportunities, including one-on-one professional coaching and group workshops to develop lab and people management skills. Stipend levels are determined using the US General Schedule, and start at GS-11. Funding includes $30,000-$100,000 in annual research funds depending on the award year, with additional funding available to cover research support staff and supplement costs of health and family care.

Focus: The award is intended to support investigators pursuing research with relevance to single ventricle congenital heart defects, including genetics, tissue engineering, computational modeling, pre- and neonatal health, and basic cardiovascular development studies that aim to understand normal heart development and regeneration.

• Successful applications will demonstrate relevance to single ventricle heart defects and clearly state this. At the LOI stage the personal statement is of high importance as it shows ability to transition to an independent position.
• Applicants will receive reviewer comments/feedback.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with Additional Ventures program staff prior to submitting a letter of intent. Please contact grants@additionalventures.org for guidance on program scope or to seek feedback on proposal fit. My contact at AV was also receptive to meeting candidates from MSU to discuss.

Criteria:

• Earned a PhD, MD, DVM or doctoral equivalent prior to March 16, 2022
• Current postdoc (or equivalent) status in a non-independent, mentored position (no upper cap on years of postdoc or staff scientist experience)
• Must commit a minimum of 9 calendar months (75% effort) to the proposed work
• Affiliated with a domestic nonprofit academic or research institution
• Must be legally qualified to work in the US (including citizens, non-citizen permanent residents, or temporary residents of the US)

LOI due: March 16^th, 2023 at 8pm EST

Of note:

• The award is similar, but less restrictive, than an NIH K99.
• Of 35 applicants in 2022, 4 were successful in receiving the award.
• MSU is invited to submit any number of applications.
• MSU retains IP.

I met with the program director earlier this week and would be happy to share more insights with interested PIs.  Best, Deepa Srikanta, PhD, Corporate Relations (Biosciences), University Advancement |Michigan State University, cell: 517-295-3508, email: srikanta@msu.edu

OPPORTUNITY: Multiple Grant Opportunities

AWARD AMOUNT: Up to $840K

DEADLINES: Applications due 04.01.23

OVERVIEW: All research proposals must fall into at least one of these six priority areas:

1. Cause & Etiology
2. Obesity & Healthy Eating & Active Living (HEAL)
3. Screening & Diagnosis
4. Treatment
5. Survivorship
6. Health Equity Across the Cancer Control Continuum

RESEARCH GRANTS FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATORS

Discovery Boost Grants (DBG)

• Also see Arizona Discovery Boost and AHEAD (Advancing Health Equity and Addressing Disparities) Awards
• Who Can Apply: Independent investigators at any career stage.
• Purpose: To fund exploratory research to develop research methodologies, establish feasibility, or pilot test high-risk/high-reward research across the research continuum.
• UPDATED Funding: 2 years with $125K a year direct costs, plus 20% allowable indirect costs
• Deadlines: April 1* and Oct. 15*

Mission Boost Grants

• UPDATED—Who Can Apply: Current and past American Cancer Society grantees and now including former ACS Postdoctoral Fellows
• Purpose: Enables transition of patient-focused research to accelerate clinical impact
• Funding: Stage I: $240K over 2 years; Stage II: $600K for 1.5 years
• Deadlines: April 1* and Oct. 15*

Research Scholar Grants (RSG)

• Also see this special initiative PRIORITY FOCUS: Health Equity Research in Cancer Control and Prevention
• UPDATED—Who Can Apply: Investigators within the first 10 years of an initial independent research career or full-time faculty appointment
• Funding: Up to 4 years with $165K a year direct costs, plus 20% allowable indirect costs
• Deadlines: April 1* and Oct. 15*

INSTITUTIONAL BLOCK GRANTS

Institutional Research Grants (IRG)

• Who Can Apply: Awarded to institutions as block grants to provide seed money for newly independent investigators to initiate cancer research projects. The principal investigator of the grant should be a senior faculty member.
• Funding: 1 to 3 years with an average of $120K a year, renewable
• Deadline: April 1*

Attention: Faculty, Academic Staff, Postdocs, and Graduate Students

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Zoom

Description: Community-engaged researchers often struggle to engage young people or community members with the data analysis part of the research process. In this talk, the presenters will share their work implementing Youth GO, a five-step participatory approach for engaging young people (and adults) in creating and organizing qualitative data in a way that is accessible and feasible within most community and practice settings.

Topics of discussion will include:

• A background and overview of the Youth GO approach
• Strategies for in-person and virtual implementation
• Lessons learned from implementing the Youth GO approach with diverse populations, including youth living in low-income communities and sexual and gender minority youth

Speakers:

• Sara T. Stacy, Research Associate, Evaluation Services Center, University of Cincinnati
• Danielle Chiaramonte, Associate Research Scientist, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health