Call for Proposals: COVID-19 Rapid Response Seed Funding Program

Published by ludmilla

Deadline: April 30, 2020
Open to: medical researchers
Benefits: USD 300,000 is dedicated to the seed funding program

Description

The Tufts University/Tufts Medical Center COVID-19 Rapid Response Seed Funding Program is intended to fast track innovative research proposals that directly address the urgent needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jointly funded by Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center, priority will be given to work with a high probability of generating new knowledge and/or changing clinical practice (access to treatment and diagnosis). Projects that build on the strengths of diverse and interdisciplinary teams of three or more researchers are encouraged.

The fund is highly flexible; it allows researchers to access resources immediately needed by research groups to meet goals. It will also develop partnerships with the research institutions in the region to support projects designed to help the community deal with both the immediate and long-term effects of the global crisis. The lead principal investigator on the application must be an employee of Tufts University and/or Tufts Medical Center, but applicants may partner with collaborators at community-based, local non-profit organizations (preferably in Tufts University’s host communities of Boston, Grafton, Medford or Somerville and/or with Tufts Medical Center’s Wellforce partner hospitals) to develop and/or implement the proposed project. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center representatives who will make funding recommendations to Tufts University Vice Provost for Research Caroline Genco and Tufts Medical Center Chief Scientific Officer Errol Norwitz.          

Eligibility

All applications must include the following components.

Project Description(no more than two, single-spaced pages)

    1. Outline the Background, Rationale, Aims, Hypothesis, and Approach.
    2. What is the probability to change clinical practice (access to treatment and diagnosis) in the immediate future?
    3. What are the opportunities for cross- or multi-disciplinary, collaborative, and/or translational research, inside and/or outside Tufts/TMC?
    4. Does the project build on existing strengths?
    5. Provide a detailed timeline for the proposed activities including milestones and deliverables. Work must be completed in 1 year.
    6. Provide a practical and credible post-completion plan to ensure enduring impact (and sustained financial support) of the work.
    7. Describe the feasibility of completing the work in the current ramp-down environment (space, PPE or other resources that are being prioritized for clinical use, human or other biological samples, use of core and containment facilities and IT needs, including data requests and system-to-system connections).
    8. *Please note that access to human or other biological samples from Tufts Medical Center may be limited.

Benefits

Budget & Budget Justification:

  1. Explain the necessity of each budget item.
  2. Describe each person’s role in the project, percentage of effort and the estimated costs.
  3. List any in-kind (no cost to the award) contributions from Tufts/Tufts MC, including department and or division support (e.g. salaries and supplies).

How to Apply?

Applications are due by 5 PM on Thursday, April 30, 2020, and must be submitted as a single PDF attachment to COVID19Funding@tufts.edu. Funding decisions will be made by May 15, 2020.

  1. Abbreviated CV or NSF/NIH-style Biosketch (no more than five single-spaced pages per person)
  2. Letters Committing Support of Collaborators and Service Providers
  3. References/Bibliography: A list of references relevant to the project may be included but is not required.

For more information and how to apply please visit the official link.