Program Description

UAB’s Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging announces the availability of pilot/feasibility (P/F) project awards for investigators having the goal of future funding from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging (NIH/NIA). The P/F studies may focus on any area of aging research that can be supported by our cores, with priority given to those examining hallmarks and/or energetics of aging. Basic Alzheimer's disease studies are eligible if they contain clear basic aging and/or energetics focus.

The pilot program will provide total awards of up to $30,000. Project periods will be one year, however carry-forward will be considered, pending satisfactory progress and justification. Applicants MUST utilize at least one of the UAB Nathan Shock Center Research Cores, as described in the Research Cores website pages.

Co-funding may be sought through partners in the network of National Nathan Shock Centers at more than one institution as part of one application. Each applicant MUST consult with Research Development Core leaders to provide direction in utilizing local UAB and national Shock Center Cores.  Please see application submission contacts below.

Eligibility

The awards are intended to support NIH-eligible scientists to obtain extramural funding for aging research. We particularly encourage applications from early stage investigators (as defined by NIH) or established investigators new to aging research, and/or who are pursuing a new direction in the field. Advanced post-docs are eligible to apply with a letter of support from a mentor in the field. Applicants new to aging biology research should identify a collaborator, with a strong record in the field, who is willing to serve as a mentor.

Criteria for Review

Emphasis will be placed on scientific merit and integration with the Shock Center mission. Applications will be reviewed externally by national experts in the field of aging biology. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of:

1. Significance, methodological approach/feasibility, scientific merit, and innovation
2. Relevance to the Shock Center mission and use of Shock Center Cores
3. Potential to result in subsequent larger NIH/NIA funded projects. There is a separate section to justify the project by outlining how the pilot will provide data that are needed for the larger grant application.
4. Budget and timeline appropriateness.

Allowable Costs

1. The proposed budget must be fully justified for how they directly advance the project specific  aims. Amounts less than the maximum total amount may be requested.
2. Travel, general purpose office equipment, food are not allowable costs.
3. Principal Investigator salaries are not allowed, however funds for a research assistant or technician may be permitted if required for the work.
4. Capital equipment (items costing more than $5,000) is not an eligible expense.

Required Documentation and Guidelines

APPLY ONLINE

RFA Release Date:

October 19, 2023

Submission Deadline:

December 21, 2023

Start Date:

June 1 2024

Please follow the guidelines. Incomplete proposals or those not following the guidelines shown below will not be reviewed. Interested applicants are required to consult the UAB Nathan Shock Center Research Development Core by email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (additional contact information below), as a first step toward preparing an application.

Formatting requirements:

1. All text should be written in Arial 11 point font with 0.5 margins (top, bottom, left, right)
2. Figures and tables should not contain text with font sizes below 9 points
3. Final grant proposal document should be submitted as a single PDF file.
4. The itemized budget should be included as part of the PDF, and also uploaded separately as an excel

Required documents and page limits:

1. PROPOSAL FACE PAGE (1 page maximum)
   • Proposal title
   • PI/PIs -- name, degree, position, academic institution, department/unit
   • Other Key personnel — name, degree, position, department/unit
   • Proposal Abstract (30 lines maximum)
2. PROPOSAL APPROACH (4 pages maximum)
   • Specific Aims (1 page maximum)
   • Research Plan ( 3 pages maximum)
3. BUDGET & BUDGET JUSTIFICATION (2 pages maximum), including a brief summary of consultations with the cores, and the resulting scientific and budgetary justification for the work proposed to be conducted by the cores.
4. BIOSKETCHES (PI/PIs and Key personnel)
5. REFERENCES (1 page maximum of relevant bibliographic references)

Application Submission Contacts

The UAB Nathan Shock Center Research Development Core (RDC) administers the Pilot Grant Program and is the primary point of contact for interested applicants. Initial inquiries and/or questions about the application process should be directed to the RDC, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..