Pilot Funding Available for
Research in Mind/Brain/Body Interactions in Stress-Related Disorders

February 29, 2008 Announcement

The UCLA Center for Neurobiology of Stress (www.uclacns.org) invites applications for funding of Pilot and Feasibility Projects during the academic year 2008-2009.

Funding will be available for high quality interdisciplinary basic, translational or clinical research proposals addressing the neurobiology of disorders which are characterized by the interface of stress, pain and emotion, with an emphasis on sex-related differences.



ELIGIBILITY:

1. Applicant must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree and have at least 2 years of postgraduate research training, and have permanent visa status.

2. Postdoctoral fellows without current or past NIH or related agency research support (including career developmental awards) as principal investigators, and who are in the process of establishing an independent research program are encouraged to apply.

3. Established investigators with existing grant support, who have not been involved in research related to the main themes of the CNS (interface of stress, pain and emotion), and who want to enter this field of research, especially those who bring novel expertise to the field, should also apply.

4. Highly innovative, translational proposals related to the mission of the CNS will be viewed favorably.

5. Recipients of last year's (2007-2008) P&F Awards are eligible to apply for a second year of funding.

 

CENTER FOR NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS
PILOT SUBMISSION TIMELINE AND SELECTION PROCESS

a. Submit a one-page Letter of Intent (LOI) and full CV for review by e-mail to Deborah Ackerman at deborah.ackerman@ucla.edu
All LOI submissions from interested UCLA applicants must be received by April 1, 2008.
The letter should indicate:

  1. Abstract of proposed pilot research project
  2. Relationship of planned project to Center mission (see website http://www.uclacns.org)
  3. How the planned project intends to use the center cores: Health Outcomes Core, Psychophysiology and Pain Assessment Core, Neuroimaging Core and/or Animal Models Core (see website for more information on the cores)
  4. Long range research goals for this pilot work for future research, particularly how the proposed projects should lead to the submission of a NIH grant (e.g. R01) or VA Merit Review
  5. Budget amount requested (funding available up to $20,000 for one year period)
  6. CV and NIH biosketch of Principal Investigator

The Review Committee will evaluate letters of intent and invite selected investigators to submit full pilot proposals by April 15, 2008.

b. Full pilot proposals (10 double-spaced pages in length, NIH format) will be due by June 13th, 2008.

c. Criteria for selection include:

  1. Quality and originality of the proposed research
  2. Eligibility and credentials of PI and Co-investigators (if included)
  3. Relatedness to the Center themes and mission (interface of stress, pain and emotion, with an emphasis on sex-related differences)
  4. Use of at least one of the CNS Cores
  5. Likelihood to lead to R01s (or equivalent level funding from extramural sources)

d. Funded projects will begin August 15, 2008 through July 31, 2009.