Limited and External Funding Opportunities

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• Email LSO@vanderbilt.edu if you are interested in an opportunity not listed below or have questions regarding the LSO submission process.
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Have you been awarded a Limited Submission recognition?

Please let us know at LSO@vanderbilt.edu

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Active Internal Calls for Limited Submission Nominations 

Internal review process required to choose institutional nominees

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Limited Submission Eligibility Guidelines

The following tags serve as a guide for submission instructions.

 Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC):  

• VU and VUMC submit collaboratively to this LSO. ALL investigators should follow the guidelines posted on this site.

 VUMC :

• VU and VUMC submit separately to this LSO. VUMC investigators should follow the guidelines posted on this site. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY

• High-profile or prestigious awards of particular interest to Vanderbilt investigators

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Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation - 2024 Clinical Investigator Award

Applications due December 5, 2023

VUMC:  These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu

VUMC may nominate five candidates for the 2024 Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Clinical Investigator Award. The award supports independent young physician-scientists conducting disease-oriented research that demonstrates a high level of innovation and creativity. The goal is to support the best young physician-scientists doing work aimed at improving the practice of cancer medicine. The award provides $600,000 over three years, and the foundation will retire up to $100,000 of medical school debt owed by the awardee. Indirect costs are not allowed.

The Clinical Investigator Award program is specifically intended to provide outstanding young physicians with the resources and training structure essential to becoming successful clinical investigators, capable of moving seamlessly between the laboratory and the patient’s bedside in search of breakthrough treatments.

Eligible clinical research categories:

• Patient-oriented research: Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator directly interacts with human subjects. This area of research includes: patient-based studies of mechanisms of human disease, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, clinical trials and development of new technologies for the detection, treatment and prevention of human cancers.
• Epidemiologic and behavioral studies.
• Outcomes research and health services research.

Preference will be given to research that adheres to the “Handshake Rule,” meaning that the physician will conduct research studies that directly involve patients. (This rule does not apply to pathologist candidates)

Eligibility:

• Must have received an MD, DO, or MD/PhD degree(s) from an accredited institution, completed his/her subspecialty training and be U.S. Board eligible.
• Must hold a valid, active U.S. medical license at the time of application.
• Must hold an independent assistant professor position or equivalent. Must apply within the first 5 years of initial full faculty appointment (cut-off July 1, 2019). Instructor, adjunct and/or acting positions are not eligible.
• The applicant must be involved in patient care and be conducting research that has the potential to be translated to impact patients.
• Candidates holding or awarded R01s at the time of application are not eligible. There are several other awards (e.g. NIH DP2/DP5, AACR, HHMI) that cannot be held concurrently. See Foundation Website.
• Must be affiliated with VUMC and/or VICC.
• Applicant must commit to spending 80% of their time conducting research (a very modest reduction may be considered with justification.)
• Candidates may apply up to two times during this eligibility period.
• There are additional key requirements that you must review on the Foundation Website

Internal Application Process

Anyone interested in being considered as one of VUMC’s nominee must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on December 5:

1. Brief (2 page maximum) research plan. Please include name of proposed mentor. No budget required.
   1. Only one application will be accepted from a Mentor per cycle
2. Statement of support from department chair/center director.
   1. Letter must additionally acknowledge that this grant does not allow indirect costs.** This statement can be used/modified within the letter: “The Department recognizes that this grant does not allow indirect costs and will commit to covering any associated indirect costs per applicable institutional policy.”
3. NIH Biosketch.

**Process for cost-sharing typically coordinated at the departmental level and approved by department chair and/or dean.

Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email. Please include a statement within the email that the candidate has reviewed the eligibility requirements on the Foundation website.

After review by the internal selection committee, the chosen nominee(s) will submit a full proposal to the Foundation by the February 1, 2024 deadline.

Contact LSO@vanderbilt.edu with questions about the program, foundation, or internal review process.

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2024 Mary Kay Ash Foundation Innovative/Translational Cancer Research Grant

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a combined competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.

Applications due December 6, 2023

VU and VUMC may each nominate one candidate for the Mary Kay Foundation Innovative/Translational Cancer Research Grant program for 2024. These awards provide $100,000 over two years to support innovative translational research for cancers affecting women, including but not limited to breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, or cancers predominantly affecting women.

The Foundation seeks to fund innovative research that will provide a scientific link between laboratory research and the clinic. Ultimately, such research would lead to improvement in the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, or treatment of cancer.

You can find a list of the previous award recipients here. Review additional guidelines in the RFP.

Eligibility:

• Principal Investigator must be Full-time Assistant Professor or higher (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor) and commit a minimum 5% effort.
• Staff scientists, postdoctoral trainees and instructors are NOT eligible.
• Up to one co-PI is permitted. Co-PI must meet the same eligibility requirements as PI (Assistant Professor or higher).
• Post-doc contributors may be listed as co-investigator, but not co-PI.
• The maximum total budget is $100,000. Indirect costs may not exceed 15% of direct costs (E.g., Direct costs ≤ $86,956, Indirect costs ≤ $13,044.)
• U.S. citizenship is not required.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as VU or VUMC’s nominee must submit the following to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on December 6. Please combine your materials into a single PDF and reference the program name in the subject line of the email. 

1. Brief research plan including summary budget (2 page max);
2. Statement of support from department chair/center director;
3. NIH Biosketch or brief CV (5 page max)

The chosen nominee will submit a full proposal to the Foundation by the deadline of February 1, 2024. Direct all questions about this opportunity to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

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2024 NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00)

Applications due December 7, 2023

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.

Overview

VU and VUMC may each submit one application per scientific focus area to the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) programs. The scientific focus areas are Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention and Other Cancer Research. There are three separate RFAs, which allow different types of proposed research (e.g. basic, clinical): PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and PAR-23-288. Each of VU and VUMC’s four selected applicants (1/focus area) may apply to whichever RFAs best suit their research proposals.

The objective of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award is to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers complete needed, mentored career training and transition in a timely manner to independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The program will provide independent NCI research support during this transition to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers. The K99/R00 award is intended to foster the development of a creative, independent research program that will be competitive for subsequent independent funding and that will help advance the mission of the NCI.

This program is designed for outstanding postdoctoral fellows with research and/or clinical doctoral degrees who do not require extended periods of mentored research training beyond their original doctoral degrees before transitioning to research independence. Researchers in the scientific areas of cancer control, cancer prevention and cancer data sciences are especially encouraged to apply.

Individuals must be in mentored, postdoctoral training positions to be eligible to apply to the K99/R00 program. The K99/R00 award will provide up to 5 years of support in two phases. The initial (K99) phase will provide support for up to 2 years of mentored postdoctoral research training and career development. The second (R00) phase will provide up to 3 years of independent research support, which is contingent on satisfactory progress during the K99 phase and obtaining an approved, independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position.

The award covers up to $100,000 per year toward the salary of the career award recipient, and up to $30,000 per year toward the research development costs of the award recipient.

See solicitations for full program and eligibility details:

PAR-23-286 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed

PAR-23-287 - Independent Clinical Trial Required

PAR-23-288 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered to submit a proposal must submit the following materials by 5 p.m. on December 7, 2023. Note the different submission instructions for VU and VUMC postdocs, below.

1. Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget;
2. Statement of support from department chair/center director;
3. NIH Biosketch

For VU-employed Postdocs:

• Submit all application materials via InfoReady by December 7, 2023 at the following link: https://vanderbilt.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1923211
• In your application, indicate to which RFA and which scientific focus area (cancer data science, cancer control science, molecular/precision cancer prevention, or other cancer research) you would apply.
• Any questions about this opportunity, eligibility, or the LSO process may be directed to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

For VUMC-employed Postdocs:

• Submit all application materials in a single PDF to lso@vanderbilt.edu by December 7, 2023. Visit the OOR site for more detail.
• In your email, indicate to which RFA and which scientific focus area (cancer data science, cancer control science, molecular/precision cancer prevention, or other cancer research ) you would apply.
• Any questions about this opportunity, eligibility, or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Innovation Partnerships Program FY 2024

Applications due December 12, 2023

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.

Overview

Vanderbilt (VU+VUMC, collaboratively) may submit 2 applications to the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Innovation Partnerships Program. The Innovation Partnerships Program (formerly Events Sponsorships Grant Program) is being restructured to build stronger relationships between university members and ORAU subject matter experts. Innovation Partnerships grants provide up to $4,000 (indirect costs not allowed) to support an in-person or virtual event that involves participants from more than one ORAU member institution, including students.

Applications should focus on focused workshops/conferences that highlight Vanderbilt University’s strategic STEM research and education growth areas, and where collaborations with other member universities would add value.  Such events may include visits to an ORAU institution by a renowned speaker, conferences or workshops with a focused theme, or a technology transfer/business plan competition. ORAU is specifically interested in events that can bring more thought leadership in building a national strategy for STEM education and workforce development.

Grant Focus Areas and Example Topics

Applications must be focused on one or more of the following FY 2024 ORAU core focus areas:

• Climate and Environment – Examples topics include sustainability, environmental justice, clean energy, resilience to climate hazards, emerging technologies, measurement and impact assessment, diversity and inclusion, policy, and data science and analytics.
• Health Equity – Example topics include telemedicine, telehealth, health literacy, health communication, behavioral and mental health, health disparities, diversity and inclusion, policy, and data science and analytics.
• Future of the STEM Workforce – Example topics include new ways of teaching and learning (K-16), transformative workforce capacity building and mentoring, diversity and inclusion, policy, data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The event must occur by September 30, 2024.
• Application must be focused on one or more of the FY 2024 ORAU Core Focus Areas.
• An ORAU subject matter expert will serve as a collaborator with the VU PI. The collaboration between the university PI and ORAU SME is not required to be in place before applying to the program.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Potential impact of the event, including the number of institutions or participants
• Participation by more than one ORAU institution is required
• Student participation is considered a positive factor.
• New events are preferred over ongoing or annual events with an established financial model.
• Preference will be given to events in STEM disciplines.
• A representative from ORAU must be invited to the event.

Internal Application Process:

Interested faculty should submit the below items in a single file (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5:00 p.m. on December 12, 2023.  Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email.

1. Brief event description (2 page maximum) including
   1. the date and location of the event
   2. other participating ORAU Member Institutions
   3. ORAU Core Focus Area
   4. purpose and scope of the event
   5. anticipated outcomes
   6. summary budget
2. NIH Biosketch or brief CV (5 pages max)
3. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
   1. Letter must additionally acknowledge that this grant does not allow indirect costs.** This statement can be used/modified within the letter: “The Department recognizes that this grant does not allow indirect costs and will commit to covering any associated indirect costs per applicable school/institutional policy.”

**Process for cost-sharing typically coordinated at the departmental/school level and approved by department chair and/or dean. Please consult LSO@vanderbilt.edu for further guidance.

Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu

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Mathers Foundation Grant Program: Spring 2024

Applications due January 4, 2024

VUMC:  These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

Vanderbilt University may submit up to four letters of intent for the Spring 2024 cycle of the Mathers Foundation grant program. The mission of The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is to advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring scientific research that will benefit mankind. The Foundation’s grants program seeks to support innovative, potentially transformative basic science projects in fields including immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, and neuroscience. The grant duration is three years and requested budgets should be realistic for the project (consider the type of investigation, models used, supply requirements, size of the team, etc.)  Grant budgets cannot exceed $600-$750k (including indirect costs capped at 10%) over three years.

Funding Priorities:

• The Foundation primarily supports basic science, ideally with potential translational applications.
• Immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, etc. are noteworthy examples of current research support. Plant Biology, Oceanography, Space Exploration, and Global Warming research will not be considered for support.
• Covid-19 related research projects (aims or sub-aims) will not be considered.
• Medical imaging technology related projects and/or electrical engineering technology development projects will not be considered.
• Requests for funding previous federally supported research, and/or applications pending federal approval will not be accorded priority consideration.
• Requests for support of clinical trials or drug discovery will not be approved. The Foundation will not support projects which it considers pre-clinical drug development. 
• Investigations in basic science and translational research may be reliant on collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. Interdisciplinary project proposals may require additional information regarding collaborator(s)’ achievements and relevant expertise.
• LOIs that have been declined should not be resubmitted.
• Renewal applications for the same or related research will not be accorded priority consideration, and applicants should consider proposing a new research direction.

Budget Considerations

• The Foundation’s grant award is not intended to be utilized for purchasing capital equipment (“bricks and mortar”) for the lab and is intended only to support the actual investigation.
• Tuition expenses (remission) may not be covered for personnel (graduate students involved in the project) if considered excessive.
• Expenses for core services may not be approved if considered excessive.
• Expenses for computers, computer-generated systems/and AI data generation cannot be expensed.

See the program page for more information.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as one of VUMC’s nominees must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on January 4, 2024:

1. Brief research plan including summary budget (2 page maximum); 

1. Include project title
2. Include discussion of previous or related work in the field, i.e. put your proposal in context of previous/ongoing efforts from your own group or other investigators.

2. Letter of support from department chair/center director; 

3. Brief CV or NIH Biosketch (5 page maximum) 

Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email.  Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

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2024 Ono Pharma Breakthrough Science Initiative Awards

Applications due January 4, 2024

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.

Overview:

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC, combined) may nominate 2 candidates to submit an LOI to the Ono Pharma Foundation’s Breakthrough Science Initiative Awards Program.

Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a leading global healthcare company committed to delivering new, innovative pharmaceutical products to patients and championing the fight against disease and pain. The Ono Pharma Foundation was established to support academic research in relevant scientific fields, which have the potential of making significant impact on therapeutic approaches to disease and pain management.

The “Ono Initiative” is the embodiment of the Foundation’s commitment to focus on and accelerate researcher-driven open innovation by supporting high-risk and high-reward science research projects which have potential to lead to science discoveries/solutions and, possibly, based on further research, to breakthrough treatments for patients. The program seeks proposals for research that could ultimately transform human health.

Although additional areas of research may be added in future years, in 2024 the Ono Pharma Foundation will only consider proposals for scientific research projects addressing the following field of science:

Chemical Biology Research

• Target research of Chemical Biology is not specified. Chemical Biology is defined as research that deals with the interface between chemistry and biology. The criteria for this field are deliberately broad so as not to disqualify potentially innovative and groundbreaking projects.
• Subjects of interest include, but are not limited to:
  • Modulating interactome and cell/tissue crosstalk with chemical induced proximity
  • Manipulating biomolecular condensates and protein quality control systems
  • Deep understanding and emerging applications of chemical glycobiology
  • New concepts of drug delivery and localization to tissue/cell/organelle

Award Details:

Project duration may last up to three years with annual funding of up to $300,000/year. The Foundation will provide up to a maximum of an additional 15% ($45,000) per year to be used for institutional indirect costs. The total amount of the three-year grant is up to $1,035,000.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The PI must have a MD and/or a PhD degree.
• The PI must be a new applicant to the Ono Initiative, or, if they are returning, have applied over 3 years ago for a project different from the one they are currently proposing.
• The PI must be a young and/or mid-career scientist (15 years or below of experience from starting independent academic position at the date of LOI submission).
• The PI may not already be engaged in other sponsored research with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and/or grant program with Ono Pharma Foundation. (Contact LSO@vanderbilt.edu with questions.)
• The PI may not apply for funding to amplify current work. However, PIs may research a new idea based on a prior finding of the PI.
• The PI must not be a healthcare professional (defined as individuals currently holding an active state license for which they are (a) qualified to prescribe, administer, use or supply any medicinal or medical products or (b) perform any professional clinical services). A PI with an MD but without an active state medical license is still eligible.
• PIs serving on a healthcare formulary or similar committee are not eligible.

For more information on the program, please refer to the program website and FAQs.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s potential nominee(s) must submit the following as a single file (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5:00 p.m. on January 4, 2024. 

1. Vision of Proposed Research – one page single-spaced 12pt font. Figures may be included byt should not exceed an additional two pages. If there is a figure which best explains your project, please indicate which one.
2. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
3. NIH Biosketch or Brief CV (5 page max)

Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email. All applicants should verify their eligibility in advance.

If nominated by Vanderbilt, the PI must submit an LOI to the sponsor by February 15, 2024. If the LOI is reviewed favorably by Ono Pharma, then they will request a full proposal which will be due by May 9^th, 2024.

Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

 

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Active Calls for NON-Limited External Opportunities 

Internal review process NOT required- Submit directly to Sponsor​

The VUMC Corporate & Foundation Relations team provides hands-on proposal development assistance for non-federal awards. Contact cfr@vumc.org for more information.