UMass Center For AIDS Research
2009 Request for Proposals            (download announcement)

Objectives 

The intent of the University of Massachusetts Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is to promote and strengthen AIDS-related research activities at this institution.  The UMASS CFAR invites proposals from faculty investigators which address important AIDS-related research issues and which strengthen the missions of the UMASS CFAR.  Proposals which address one of the following objectives are encouraged: 

NEW INVESTIGATOR SUPPORT - Under this category, proposals from junior investigators who require funds to develop meritorious and independent lines of investigation will be considered. 
Maximum Award is $40,000 per year for up to 3 years* 

INTERACTIVE AND TRANSLATIONAL PROJECTS - We invite applications which apply multidisciplinary expertise of two or more investigators to AIDS-related research problems.  The intent is to encourage investigators in other fields to apply their expertise to AIDS-related research.  Proposals involving investigators at UMASS and at neighboring institutions are also encouraged.
Maximum Award $35,000 per year for 2 years* 

EVOLVING RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES  – We invite proposals that address emerging scientific issues which are of particular importance in AIDS research. Applicants can request funds to develop assays for inhibitor screening by the UMASS small molecule inhibitor screening facility.
Maximum Award is $35,000 per year for 2 years* 

*Competing Continuation Applications are required for additional years of support and are dependent upon available funding. 

Application Format 

NOTE: Deadline is May 29th, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. 

Proposals must be PDF documents, submitted electronically via email to Kim.Departie@umassmed.edu or on CD/DVD.

COVER PAGE - Include name, title, department, telephone, and title of project, administrative contact, direct costs requested, human and/or animal docket numbers if applicable.
ABSTRACT – One paragraph summary of the most important features of the application. 
INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE – Summarize the focus of the application, under which of the afore-mentioned three objectives funds are being requested, and how completion of the major objectives would impact on competitiveness of the research for external funding. 
SPECIFIC AIMS – Briefly outline realistic list of goals that can be completed within the allocated timeframe. 
PRELIMINARY STUDIES – Summarize only that data which is directly relevant to the proposal. 
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN – Identify briefly, techniques that will be employed.  In particular, identify resources on facilities, aspects of the project that will require access to CFAR core services and additionally, AIDS-related research reagents that can be provided by the CFAR.  Identify approval status of any experiments which involve the use of pathogenic organisms, radioactivity, recombinant DNA and animals. 
BUDGET – Use PHS 398 form, page 4. 
APPENDICES – Include CVs of personnel engaged in study, together with manuscripts and publications which have a direct bearing on the proposed study.
LENGTH OF APPLICATION – Emphasis is on brevity.  Applications should be not more than 4 single-spaced pages and in an abbreviated NIH grant application format.

Review of Proposals 

Proposals will be reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Board based on the following criteria: 

• SCIENTIFIC MERIT - Proposals will be judged on impact of the research, feasibility of the studies, available resources and expertise of the investigators.
  
• RESPONSIVENESS OF THE APPLICATION - High priority will be given to those applications which address one of the three objectives listed above.
  
• RELEVANCE TO AIDS RESEARCH - Proposals must be relevant to AIDS research.  The Program Director (Mario Stevenson) can be contacted prior to submission of a proposal in order to gauge the AIDS relatedness of the proposed study.
  Mario Stevenson, Ph.D.,  CFAR Director
  tel. (508) 856-4581; or e-mail:  Mario.Stevenson@umassmed.edu .
  
• SUBMISSION:  E-mail: Kim.Departie@umassmed.edu 
  Kim Departie, CFAR Administrator, tel. 508-856-3645