Request for Proposals: Translating Duke Health - Immunology

October 11, 2017

Duke Health is pleased to announce its first Translating Duke Health call for proposals for innovative approaches to supporting immune health. This RFP is designed to invest in transformative areas of research and technology where Duke Health can have the greatest impact on human health.

Translating Duke Health is one of the signature programs animating Advancing Health Together, our Duke Health Strategic Planning Framework. Translating Duke Health is a multiyear, multidisciplinary program to capitalize on our collective strengths in research, clinical care and population health to address major health challenges. Additional information about Translating Duke Health is available at www.translatingdukehealth.org.

For this call, we are focusing on new approaches that could bear on our understanding of transplantation tolerance, tumors, autoimmunity, and protective immunity. Collaborative projects across disciplines are encouraged. Applicants are also encouraged to take advantage of available biobank samples and Duke Core Facilities, and attend the TDH Immunology & Transplant Initiative: Duke Human Biobanking Symposium on December 15, 2017.

We are particularly interested in proposals that would build new collaborations and/or new teams and might lead to extended productive (and NIH-funded) collaborations.

We plan to make up to three awards of up to $100,000 for one year. A second phase of funding may be followed for projects that demonstrate great potential. Awards will be evaluated based on the below criteria:

Overall scientific impact
Innovation
Potential for developing new collaborations and funding for translational human immunology
Interdisciplinary science
Clear articulation of the way in which the proposed research differs from other funded projects of the Principal Investigator

Clarity about the relationship to the goals of the Initiative, namely “Duke Human Immune Health”

Please include the following in your proposal:

Cover letter with title and contact information
Abstract of 150 words or less describing the project
Research plan following the NIH format, addressing the selection criteria listed above (4 pages or less, 11 point Arial font, inclusive of figures but not including citations).
Biographical sketches for participating faculty, including current and pending sources of support. Please use the new “NIH Biosketch Form” as outlined in http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-15-032.html
Budget and Budget Justification. Include a statement regarding other available funding for the proposed project and the relationship of the proposed project to other funded projects. No subcontracts, travel costs, or faculty effort will be allowed.
IACUC/IRB approval or exemption.

Eligibility: All Duke Faculty are eligible to apply. Duke staff members including residents and medical fellows, pre-doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows are also eligible to apply, but will need a letter of sponsorship from a Duke Faculty member. This letter should include endorsement for the proposal and indication of space and other resources allotted to the proposal, and clear articulation of how successful completion of this project will contribute to the long term goals of the Human Immune Initiative at Duke.

Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 PM EST, January 15, 2018

Selection Process for New Awards – Proposals will be peer-reviewed, and awards announced by February 15, 2018. Applicants may be interviewed before or after the meeting of the Review Panel to assure that the proposed research is a new direction relative to the laboratory’s current efforts and to gain greater clarity about the goals of the proposals. Selection of peer reviewers and final funding decisions will be made by the Dean of the School of Medicine. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions but will not otherwise receive feedback from the evaluation process. Awardees will be required to submit year-end progress reports and will be expected to present their accomplishments at various meetings as the term of the grant proceeds. The funds should not be used to fund faculty salaries.

Questions and completed applications should be submitted as pdf files to: translatingdukehealth@duke.edu.