General Formatting Requirements

The document should maintain the 0.5 inch margins around the page, single space, and use Arial 11 point font for all text and tables. Figures and Graphs need to be large enough and of sufficient resolution to be readable. Failure to adhere to the font, margin, and page limits will result in the document not being reviewed.

1. Title of Project (limit to 75 characters with spaces): The title should reveal the aim of the project.
2. Principal Investigator: Name, Position, Years in Rank (number), and Tenure or Non-Tenure track
3. Applicants, Rank, Department: The name, rank and department affiliation of the Principal Investigator and any Co-Investigator should be listed.
4. Project Abstract (limit 250 words): Please provide an overview of the project that summarizes its rationale, goals, and expected outcomes. The applicant should describe how the proposed project will result in submission of a NIH grant.
5. IRB or IACUC Approval: Please indicate whether your project will involve humans, animals or does not need approval.
   
   It is not required to have IRB/IACUC approval or to apply for approval by the CAPPI application deadline. However, as the approval process may take several months, we encourage applicants to apply for IRB approval before a funding decision is made to avoid delays in release of funds and project start. If it would be important for your project’s timeline to start work on the project start date, in order to complete the project in time (by June next year), then it would be necessary to start the IRB/IACUC approval process before late-October. If awarded, and IRB or IACUC approval is required for your project, your CAPPI funds will not be released until proof of the required approval is received (proof must be provided to Dr. Karen Cropsey; kcropsey@uabmc.edu).
6. Budget Request: This is the total amount requested for this award (up to $25,000, direct costs only).
7. Goals, Benchmarks and Benefits (limit one page). This is a one-page summary of the aims, benchmarks, and specific benefits that would result from this proposal.
8. Description of the Project (limit two pages). This section includes the rationale or justification for the project, the specific methodology that would be used and any expected outcomes of this work. Preliminary or formative work leading to the proposal can be included but are not required to support this application.
9. Budget. This should be calculated using the most accurate information available.
10. Budget Justification (limit one page)
    • Applicants should only request the budget amount that can be rigorously justified to complete the project.
    • The Total Budget cannot exceed $25,000.
    • All proposed expenditures should be itemized and justified, using the required table in the application, and match the proposal requirements. Applications lacking sufficient detailed budget justification will not be reviewed.
    • Applicants must clearly describe the types of allowable costs to assure completion of the project.
    
    Unallowable Costs: Construction, renovation, entertainment/conference attendance, tuition for degree‐granting programs, salary support of the applicant(s), computers/tablets, and/or support for services/resources currently provided without charge to the applicant are not acceptable.
    
    Allowable Costs: Funding requests for specific research needs will be acceptable. Applicants are responsible for justifying how their proposed costs would fit into the nature of the CAPPI purpose (pilot study leading to future funding opportunities, etc.). These funds are not intended to replace existing commitments from institutional or extramural sources (e.g., start-up funding).
    
    Applicants should also provide assurance that the proposed project is not/will not be receiving funds from other sources including other internal or external funding sources. Applicants should explain why they could not have the proposed costs paid for by other means (ex. departmental or other existing funds). Applications that propose work that is dependent on the receipt of other funding will not be considered.
11. How will this award lead to a grant submission (limit one page): This section should clearly demonstrate how the award will contribute to an NIH grant submission.
12. Required Appendices: Biographical sketch (limit five pages) - Biographical sketches of the PI and all investigators are required. Use the NIH biosketch format and should be no longer than 5 pages.

Change in Awardee

If the awardee (Assistant Professor) leaves UAB or otherwise is unable to complete the project, the remaining funds must be returned to CAPPI. The CAPPI funding may not be transferred to a senior mentor or other junior or senior collaborator.

Submitting the CAPPI Application

Please ensure all parts of the CAPPI Application are completed and conform to the page limits each section. Include the mandatory appendices (Biosketch(es); with the completed application in one PDF document.

Please submit your application as a single flatten PDF via the RED-ASSIST proposal submission portal by 5:00 p.m. CT, Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

Please direct questions to Dr. Karen Cropsey; kcropsey@uabmc.edu.

The Review Process

Reviewers

Applications in each of the categories will be reviewed by senior CAPPI members as well as any additional faculty whose expertise is sought by the chair of the review panel. The following review criteria will be used in assessing the proposals:

General Review Criteria

1. Does the applicant hold a faculty rank of Assistant Professor and meet other eligibility criteria?
2. To what extent did the applicant identify measurable goals, outcomes and/or benchmarks relevant to generate new data for future research or grant applications in pain and/or addiction?
3. How feasible is the proposed project (i.e., how likely is it that the project will result in the expected outcomes described by the applicant, including potential for future NIH or other funding)?
4. To what extent does the proposal describe the original and innovative nature of the project and how it differs from previous approaches or works in the same area?
5. Can the project be completed within the one year timeframe? (January 2, 2024 - December 31, 2024)?

Please direct questions to Dr. Karen Cropsey; kcropsey@uabmc.edu.