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• Active Internal Calls for Limited Submission Nominations 
• Active Calls for NON-Limited External Opportunities

 

Contact us...

• 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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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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​​USDA Delta Region Health Care Services Grant

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC) 

Internal Applications due October 19th

Vanderbilt (VU and VUMC combined) can submit one application for the Delta Health Care Service Grant Program (RDBCP-DHCS-2018) sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture. This program provides financial assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region, including projects to develop healthcare services, health education programs, healthcare job training programs, or public health-related facilities in the Delta region. (Note: The sponsor defines TN as part of the Delta Region). Grants are awarded to promote cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions and other entities in the Delta Region. The maximum funding amount is $1,000,000 over a 24-month project period.

Eligibility criteria: 

• Grant funds must be used for the development of healthcare services, health education programs, healthcare job training programs, or the development and expansion of public health-related facilities in the Delta region.
• Eligible applicants are a consortium/group of three or more entities that are; Regional Institutions of Higher Education, Academic Health and Research Institutes, and/or Economic Development Entities
• The consortium must be located in the Delta Region (includes TN) and must have at least one year of prior experience in addressing the health care needs of the Delta Region.

Internal application process:

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please email the following documents (in PDF format) to lso@vanderbilt.edu by 5:00 pm on October 19, 2018.

1. Brief research plan including summary budget and consortium partner names (two-page max, including budget)
2. Statement of support from dean, department chair or center director
3. NIH Biosketch or brief CV (five-page max)

Vanderbilt’s chosen applicant will submit a full application to the funding agency by November 19, 2018. Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@Vanderbilt.edu.

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Ancillary Studies to the NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium

VUMC

Internal submissions due October 19th

Program overview:

VUMC may submit one proposal in response to RFA-DK-18-017: Ancillary Studies to the NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC). Application budgets are limited to $200,000 direct costs per year, for up to three years.

The IBDGC and International IBD Genetics Consortium have identified about 200 susceptibility loci for IBD. The IBDGC has recently been awarded renewed funding to identify and characterize causal genes and genetic variants within these loci.  However, the IBDGC's current resources limit the scope of this exploration.

This FOA invites investigators from outside the IBDGC to establish collaborations with the IBDGC to exploit more fully the great wealth of well-characterized patients, biological samples, and data already amassed by the IBDGC to elucidate the mechanisms by which IBD susceptibility genetic variants influence the pathophysiology of IBD. Activities appropriate for ancillary studies include the following:

• Genetic analysis of IBD-related clinical and biological phenotypes in domains not previously investigated (e.g., intestinal remodeling and healing, enteric nervous system),
• Epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses of relevant tissue samples from recruited subjects, and systems biology analyses of the resulting data,
• Analyses of the composition and activities of the intestinal microbiome of recruited subjects,
• Screening of candidate genes and genetic variants in gut barrier, mucosal immune, and other physiological domains, using cultured cells, organoids, Drosophila, zebrafish, mice, and other assay platforms,
• Analyses of the relationships among host genetic variation, intestinal microbiome composition and activity, and variation in the presentation, severity, natural history, and response to treatment of IBD,
• Elucidation of regulatory interactions between DNA sites within the known IBD susceptibility loci and other genes, regardless of their genomic location, or
• Reanalysis of existing data with novel analytic approaches to identify previously unknown susceptibility loci.

Eligibility criteria: 

• Applications may propose or not propose a clinical trial.
• Investigators from a wide range of disciplines with possible relevance to IBD (e.g., immunology, cell biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, systems biology) are encouraged to apply. 
• Applications must not duplicate studies already completed or ongoing within the IBDGC. 
• Multi-site clinical trials will not be considered responsive.
• Applications must include a letter from the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Steering Committee of the IBDGC indicating that the IBDGC is willing to provide the ancillary study investigators with access to participants, samples, and data, as needed.

Internal application process:

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please email the following documents (in PDF format) to lso@vanderbilt.edu by 5:00 pm on October 19, 2018.

1. Brief research plan including summary budget (two-page max, including budget)
   • The research plan should briefly indicate the access to participants, samples, and/or data that will be requested from the IBDGC (See eligibility requirements.)
2. Statement of support from dean, department chair or center director
3. NIH Biosketch (five-page max)

Vanderbilt’s chosen applicant will submit an LOI to the funding agency by January 21, 2019. Note that Investigators must submit an application for collaboration to the IBDGC by November 20, 2018. 

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ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC) 

Internal Applications due October 22nd

Vanderbilt (VU & VUMC combined) can nominate up to 2 assistant professors for the 2018 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards, sponsored by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). The awards provide seed money for research intended to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty.  The award amount is $5,000, which can be used for faculty summer salary, graduate student salary, travel, equipment, or other assistance relevant to the faculty member’s research, but does not allow indirect charges.  Because of the close working relationship between ORAU and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Award Committee particularly encourages collaborative interaction with ORNL.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The applicant’s institution is required to match the award with at least an additional $5,000. Applicants must work with the appropriate Dean, Department Chair, or Center Director to obtain a commitment to these matching funds.

Eligibility Criteria:

Awards are restricted to full-time assistant professors within 2 years of their initial tenure track appointment by the nomination date (January 7, 2019). ORAU will recognize circumstances that resulted in a “tenure clock delay”. Faculty research projects must be in one of the following disciplines: 

• Engineering and Applied Science
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics/Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Policy, Management, or Education

All applicants should verify their eligibility in advance through the foundation FAQs. A list of award recipients from 2018 can be found here.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s potential nominee must submit the below items (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5:00 p.m. on Monday October 22, 2018. 

Please adhere to the ORAU application instructions as much as possible.

• Brief research plan including summary budget (2 page max, including budget);
• Statement of support from Dean, department chair, or center director including a school, department, or center commitment to the REQUIRED $5,000 in matching funds;
• NIH Biosketch or Brief CV (5 page max)

Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email.

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2019 Mallinckrodt Scholars Program

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC)  FEATURED OPPORTUNITY

Internal Applications due October 26th 

Vanderbilt (VU and VUMC, collaboratively) is anticipating the opportunity to nominate two candidates for the Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr Foundation Scholar Award Program. The Foundation supports early stage investigators engaged in biomedical research that has the potential to significantly advance the understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of disease. This award typically provides $400,000 over four years in order to move a project forward to the point where other independent funding can be obtained.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Hold M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree
• In 5th to 8th year of a tenure-track position
• Candidates may have an R01

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s potential nominee must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5:00 p.m. on October 26, 2018. 

• Brief research lay summary (1/2 page max);
• Brief research plan including summary budget (2 page max including budget);
• Statement of support from department chair/center director;
• 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 through the foundation website. 

All proposals will be forwarded to an internal review committee that chooses the final nominee. The chosen nominee will submit a full proposal to the foundation by January 15, 2019.

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2019 Brain Research Foundation Fay/Frank Seed Grant Program

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC)  FEATURED OPPORTUNITY

Internal Applications due October 29th 

Vanderbilt (VU and VUMC, collaboratively) has the opportunity to nominate one candidate for the Brain Research Foundation Fay/Frank Seed Grant Program for 2019. This award typically provides $80,000 (direct costs) over two years to support new research projects in the field of neuroscience that will likely lead to extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other outside funding sources. The objective of the BRF Seed Grant Program is to support new and innovative projects, especially those of junior faculty, who are working in new research directions.

Eligibility:

• PI must be a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor working in the area of studies of brain function. This includes molecular and clinical neuroscience as well as studies of neural, sensory, motor, cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning in health and disease.
  • Assistant Professor – Junior faculty with a new research project that will generate pilot data that will lead to RO1 funding or a comparable outside grant will be first priority.  Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grants and indicate if there is any overlap.
  • Associate Professor – Faculty who are pursuing new research directions. Must explain how the project is a new research direction. Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grant(s) and indicate if there is any overlap.
• Research assistant professors and research associate professors are not eligible.
• The grant proposal must detail a new research project that is not funded by other sources.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s potential nominee must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5:00 p.m. on Monday October 29, 2018. 

• Brief research plan including summary budget (2 page max including budget);

  • Include closing paragraph that explains how this research will develop (next steps)

  • Refer to budget guidelines
• Statement of support from department chair/center director;
• CV or NIH Biosketch (5 page max)

Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email. All applicants should verify their eligibility in advance through the foundation website. Vanderbilt’s nominee will submit a required LOI by January 8, 2019.

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NIH Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1)

VUMC

Internal applications due October 31st  

Overview:

VUMC may submit one proposal for the NIH Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1). The program is designed to support highly integrated research teams of three to six PD/PIs to address ambitious and challenging research questions that are important for the mission of National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Collaborative program teams are expected to accomplish goals that require considerable synergy and managed team interactions. Project goals should not be achievable with a collection of individual efforts or projects. While applications may request research program budgets of up to $1.5 million direct costs per year, it is anticipated that most awards will be between $700,000-$900,000 direct costs.

Applications may address any area of science within the NIGMS mission, which is to support basic research that increases understanding of biological processes at a range of levels, from molecules and cells to tissues, whole organisms and populations. NIGMS also supports research in a limited number of clinical areas that affect multiple organ systems (see here for scientific areas supported by NIGMS).

Applications that are mainly focused on the creation, expansion, and/or maintenance of community resources, creation of new technologies or infrastructure development are not appropriate for this FOA. NIH-defined clinical trials are not allowed.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered to submit VUMC’s proposal must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2018:

• Brief (2-page maximum) project description including summary budget and role of each PI;
• Brief statement of support from department chair/center director;
• NIH Biosketches for all PIs

Full applications are due to NIH by January 25, with an LOI requested 30 days prior.

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NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program

VUMC

Internal Proposals due October 31st

VUMC may submit up to 3 proposals for the NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, which serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training. An MRI award supports the acquisition or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.

MRI provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to develop next-generation research instruments that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.

NEW FOR 2019: An MRI proposal may request up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. VUMC is limited to 3 total submissions across the two tracks below, with no more than two submissions in Track 1 and no more than one submission in Track 2.

• Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than $1,000,000.
• Track 2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,000,000 up to and including $4,000,000.

Eligibility:

• Please consult the Program Description (Section II.A-B) for a detailed description of project types and fields of science that are eligible for funding.
• The MRI Program seeks broad representation by PIs in its award portfolio, including women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities. The MRI program also encourages proposals with early-career PIs and proposals that benefit early-career researchers.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: For either track, Cost-sharing of precisely 30% of the total project cost is required! Inclusion of voluntary committed cost-sharing is prohibited.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered to submit one of VUMC’s proposals must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2018:

• Brief (2 page maximum) project description including summary budget
• Brief statement of support from department chair/center director including a department or center commitment to the REQUIRED 30% cost-sharing
• NIH Biosketch

Please review the solicitation and the FAQs for more information regarding the program. Following the internal process, the full proposal is due to NSF by January 22, 2019. Any questions about this opportunity may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

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2019 David Mahoney Neuroimaging Program- The Dana Foundation

Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC) 

Internal Applications due November 16th 

Vanderbilt anticipates the opportunity to nominate one candidate for the 2019 David Mahoney Neuroimaging Program. Funds support pilot-testing by investigators, who are early in their research careers, to enable them to pursue promising, high-risk, and innovative ideas that have a direct clinical application. This award provides $200,000 over three years for projects aimed at improving human brain and brain-immune functioning to promote health, and prevent and treat disease.

To be considered for funding, submitted proposals should focus on imaging in patients or patient tissues, and healthy volunteers. Applications for animal model studies of brain conditions or injuries will be considered only if they relate directly to humans but cannot yet feasibly be undertaken in humans, and are anticipated to be translated into human research following the three-year grant period.

Visit the website for current and previous grantees.

Eligibility

Eligible investigators should be at the assistant professor level or in the first few years of their associate professor appointment and not have received more than one independent research grant (R01 from the NIH or equivalent from another Federal agency).

Internal Application Process

Anyone interested in being considered as one of Vanderbilt’s nominees must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu  by 5 p.m. on November 16, 2018: 

• Brief (2 page maximum) research plan with the following 5 sections:
  • Hypothesis
  • Aims: What disease(s), disorder(s) or injuries would be better understood, diagnosed, or treated? Or, what normal brain function or brain-immune interaction would be better understood? Or, what imaging technology would be refined and for what specific purposes? Such technology development or modification aims need to be accompanied by initial evidence of the project’s feasibility
  • Research significance and potential clinical application(s) of the research.
  • IV. Methods: the research design, tests and analyses proposed to develop the pilot data.
  • V: The qualifications of the primary investigator(s) for undertaking the proposed research. What facilities and resources at the applicant institution(s) would be used in the research?
• Statement of support from department chair/center director
• CV or NIH Biosketch (5 page max)

Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email. 

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Mary Kay Foundation Translational Cancer Research Grant

VUMC

Internal Applications due November 16th 

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) anticipates the opportunity to nominate one candidate for the Mary Kay Foundation Translational Cancer Research Grant program for 2019. These awards provide $100,000 over two years to support translational research in ovarian, uterine, breast, or cervical cancer.

The Mary Kay 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. 

Considerations:

• Maximum $100,000 award includes direct and indirect costs over a two-year period. (Indirects may not exceed 15%).
• U.S. citizenship is not required.

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as VUMC’s nominee must submit the following to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on November 16th. Please combine your materials into a single PDF and reference the program name in the subject line of the email. 

• Brief research plan including summary budget (2 page max including budget);
• Statement of support from department chair/center director;
• NIH Biosketch

The chosen nominee will submit a full proposal to the Foundation by the anticipated deadline of early February.

Direct all questions about the application process to LSO@vanderbilt.edu. For questions about the Foundation or its interests and priorities, please contact Adele White (adele.white@vumc.org), VUMC Corporate & Foundation Relations.

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Active Calls for NON-Limited External Opportunities 

Internal review process NOT required- Submit directly to Sponsor​