The Center for Skeletal Research (CSR), based in the Endocrine Unit at MGH, and funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (NIAMS) is announcing a request for Pilot and Feasibility Research proposals ($35,000/year; with up to $6,800 in IDC).   This announcement is directed to faculty proposing highly focused Skeletal Biology research projects with the goal of generating preliminary data sufficient to support an application for independent NIH research support (or for a K or K-like career development award for junior faculty). Awardees will be expected to present progress to CSR members biannually and provide a written annual report.  NOTE CHANGES IN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA BELOW.

LETTER OF INTENT DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 7 AT 5PM EST

Letter of intent should include

• a 250 word abstract
• a 150 word statement of eligibility
• an NIH style biosketch including all other support.

Please submit in a single PDF file to csrmail@partners.org

In the subject line include your last name and “P30P+F LOI”  eg: SmithP30P+F LOI

THOSE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDING WILL BE INFORMED BY MONDAY, MARCH 13.

Applications will be due on April 11 at 5PM EST.

Eligibility is based on the criteria listed below:

1. Faculty (under NIH investigator criteria) proposing highly focused Skeletal Biology research projects with the goal of generating preliminary data sufficient to support an application for a Career Development Award or for independent NIH research support. Applicants in this group must meet the NIH Early Investigator Criteria(New Investigators who have had less than 10 years of research or research training experience after the completion of their terminal research degree or medical residency, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm).
2. Established researchers from outside the bone field proposing innovative studies relevant to Skeletal Biology.
3. Established Skeletal Biology investigators proposing studies relevant to Skeletal Biology that represents a clear departure from their established line of investigation.
4. Recipients of career awards such as K99/R00, K08, K01, etc. or equivalent from other funding agencies

Investigators must invest at least 1 calendar month of effort.  If salary requests do not reflect this effort, cost-sharing plans must be indicated. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents must have active visas permitting them to remain in the U.S. for the full period of the proposed research.

Per NIAMS rules, interventional clinical studies are not allowed.

Previous P30 P&F awardees will be allowed to re-apply for an additional year of funding.

Note:  click here to access the form for requesting an extension in the Early Stage Investigator (ESI) and Early Established Investigator (EEI) Period.

Click here for downloadable announcement.