In this edition:

Feature

Did You Know?

HIPAA and PHI Identifiers Surge Due to Technology

We are serious about protecting identities in healthcare and research. Professionals recognize all geographic subdivisions smaller than a state, all elements of dates directly related to an individual or all numbers such as telephone, fax, social security, etc. as identifiers. As technology has evolved, new identifiers must be recognized. Web Universal Resource Locator (URL), Internet Protocol (IP) address numbers, device identifiers and serial numbers, geolocators, biometric identifiers including voice and fingerprints, photographic images and any comparable images or unique identifying number, characteristic, or code are now Protected Health Information (PHI) Identifiers.

Funding (* New Opportunities)

NIH Funding Opportunities Specific to COVID-19

This page contains a listing of active and expired funding opportunities specific to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

2021 CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars – Due October 30

CIFAR invites exceptional early-career researchers from across the natural, biomedical and social sciences and the humanities to join one of our interdisciplinary research programs that address some of the most important questions facing science and humanity. The program supports exceptional early-career researchers with funding, mentorship, a global network, and professional skills development.

The John Templeton Foundation Science of Purpose Initiative – Due October 31

The John Templeton Foundation seeks to identify and fund the development of novel theoretical, philosophical, or scientific concepts useful for advancing the study of goal-directed, goal-seeking, or goal-suited phenomena in nature. Open to researchers who hold a doctoral-level degree or equivalent at the time of application. Potential applicants are encouraged to explore nine strands of research: agency, commonalities, development, life, macroevolution, matter, mechanisms, models and organization.

Investigator-Initiated Seed Grants in Healthcare Innovation – LOI Due November 1

The Emory-Georgia Tech Healthcare Innovation Program, with partners including Georgia CTSA, announce seed grants addressing issues in dealing with pandemics such as coordination of public health & healthcare systems in clinical responses, diagnostic testing, provider-patient safety; improving clinical preparedness & communication; impact on healthcare system physicians, nurses, staff. Grants will fund multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary teams. Faculty from any Georgia CTSA partner institution may apply; however, the PI must be from Emory or Georgia Tech.

Annual Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in Neuroscience – Due November 1

The Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars program will support individual scientists of exceptional creativity who have an MD or PhD degree and have completed a minimum of three years of a post-doctoral fellowship by July 1, 2021 in the field of neurosciences and hold a post-doctoral research position at a United States medical school, research institute or academic hospital. The medical school, research institute or academic hospital appointing the scholar will be awarded $200,000 annually for two years to cover their salary, lab costs, and related expenses.

HERCULES Exposome Research Center Pilot Grants - LOI Due November 2

The HERCULES Exposome Research Center will fund six pilot awards at $30,000 (direct costs) each. Awards of up to $40,000 (direct costs) will be considered in exceptional circumstances. Projects that utilize a HERCULES Core (Environmental Health Data Sciences, Targeted Exposure Analysis, Metabolomics, Clinical/Population Research Services, Community Engagement) and community-engaged research projects are particularly encouraged. Awards are open to all investigators at Emory and the Emory-Georgia Tech Department of Biomedical Engineering who are eligible to serve as Principal Investigators on NIH R-level grant applications. Faculty in other Georgia Tech departments are eligible to apply with an Emory faculty collaborator. Winship awards must include at least one Winship investigator.

Russell Sage Foundation Pipeline Grants Competition – Due November 4

For early- and mid-career researchers in collaboration with the Economic Mobility and Opportunity program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Priority is given to research that improves our understanding of the severe consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, including its economic disruptions, and the mass protests to combat systemic racism and racial inequality in policing and other institutions.

Simons Early Career Investigator in Marine Microbial Ecology and Evolution Awards – Due November 5

The purpose of these awards is to help launch the careers of outstanding investigators in the field of marine microbial ecology and evolution who will advance our understanding through experiments, modeling or theory. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree. Investigators must be currently active in research on microbial ecology and/or evolution, excluding research focusing on the microbiomes of animals or plants.

SOM I3 Wow! Research Awards – Due November 9

In partnership with the Georgia CTSA, Emory SOM is soliciting proposals with the potential to make a transformational impact in either fundamental biomedical knowledge or translational impact. If successful, the project will provide new ways of thinking about a problem. Particularly creative ideas, even without preliminary data, will be considered provided feasibility is demonstrated. Collaborations are strongly encouraged but not required. Preference given to outside-the-box ideas. Awards will be made in $25,000 increments, up to $250,000 in total direct costs.

* National Glaucoma Research Grant– Due November 10

BrightFocus provides research funds for U.S. and international researchers pursuing pioneering research leading to greater understanding, prevention, and treatment of glaucoma. Grants will be for $100,000 per year for two years. Applicants are encouraged to create tools that would benefit all investigators in the field, including animal models of disease, or cell lines. If there is interest or questions, please contact Gayathri Srinivasan (gayathris@emory.edu).

* Templeton World Charity Foundation "Grand Challenges for Human Flourishing": Request for Ideas – Due November 11

Templeton World Charity Foundation has launched a new strategy to support new scientific research on human flourishing and to translate related discoveries into practical tools. Through this Request for Ideas (RFI) the foundation is asking researchers to tell them where they should invest $40 million over the next five years. The Foundation is particularly interested in ideas for interdisciplinary scientific research towards discoveries that can promote physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being.

Multi-disciplinary Machine-assisted, Genomic Analysis and Clinical Approaches to Shortening the Rare Diseases Diagnostic Odyssey (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) – Due November 12

This FOA invites researchers to submit applications for multidisciplinary diagnostic strategies for rare diseases that combine machine-assistance, genomic analysis, and clinical consultation.

Basket Clinical Trials of Drugs Targeting Shared Molecular Etiologies in Multiple Rare Diseases (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) – Due November 12

The purpose of this FOA is to support basket clinical trials of drugs targeting shared molecular etiologies in more than one rare disease.

Basket Clinical Trials of Drugs Targeting Shared Molecular Etiologies in Multiple Rare Diseases (U44 Clinical Trial Required) – Due November 12

The purpose of this FOA is to support basket clinical trials of drugs targeting shared molecular etiologies in more than one rare disease. To facilitate clinical trial start up, and leverage existing datasets, preference will be given to applications focusing on diseases that are under study by the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network (RDCRN), and that involve collaborations with RDCRN clinical investigators.

Emory Roybal Center Pilot Grants – LOI Due November 13

The goal of the proposed Roybal Translational Research Center is to provide support to investigators (both junior and senior investigators) across the nation to conduct NIH Stage I-III intervention research aimed at nurturing and supporting innovations that promote competence and confidence in context-specific dementia caregiving.

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation 2021 Clinical Scientist Development Award Pre-Proposals – Due November 13

This award provides grants to early-career physician scientists to facilitate their transition to independent clinical research careers. The purpose is to provide support to physician scientists at the Assistant Professor rank to:1) conduct an outstanding clinical research project, 2) enable research time protection to ease the tension between research and clinical responsibilities, and 3) facilitate development of strong mentorship relations. Applicants from groups underrepresented in biomedical research are encouraged to apply.

NIH Loan Repayment Programs – Closes November 20

Since tomorrow's medical breakthroughs will be made by investigators starting in their research careers today, the LRPs represent an important investment by NIH in the future of health discovery and the wellbeing of the Nation. Awardees can receive up to $100,000 of qualified educational debt repayment with a two-year contract. Extramural New & Renewal Awards Online Application Period: Sep. 1, 2020 - Nov. 20, 2020.

RWJF Policies for Action: Public Policy Research to Advance Racial Equity and Racial Justice – LOI Due November 24

The goal is to build the evidence base about how national, state, and local policies can decrease racial inequities in health and well-being in the United States. The research funded under this CFP must: (1) focus on studying the potential impact of a specific federal, state, or local policy; (2) be intentional about maintaining a focus on racial equity and racial justice in its processes and outcomes; (3) use principles of equitable evaluation; (4) incorporate meaningful and authentic community engagement into the work; and (5) advance community-driven solutions that come from the groups of people most directly impacted by structural racism.

MP3 Initiative Seed Grants – LOI Due December 1

The goal of the MP3 Initiative is to facilitate and grow basic and applied infectious disease research across scales at Emory, from molecules and pathogens within hosts to populations and pandemics. The main way in which the initiative will accomplish this is to provide sizable seed grants to interdisciplinary teams of researchers, to provide proof-of-concept and preliminary results for subsequent applications for research grants, program grants, center grants and training grants. An explicit requirement of funding through this program is the subsequent submission of extramural grants. Seed grants are only awarded to teams of researchers from different schools at Emory. Partnerships with CDC and Carter Center are strongly encouraged.

Burroughs Wellcome Fund Next Gen Pregnancy Initiative – Due December 1

This initiative is designed to stimulate both creative individual scientists and multi-investigator teams to approach healthy and adverse pregnancy outcomes using creative basic and translation science methods. Proposals should address the biomedical causes and molecular mechanisms underlying adverse pregnancies and their outcomes.

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Physician-Scientist Training Award – Due December 1

The Foundation established a program designed to recruit outstanding physicians into cancer research careers. They provide them with this opportunity for a protected research training experience under the mentorship of a highly qualified and gifted mentor, after they have completed all of their clinical training. Physician-scientist applicants (MDs and DOs only) must have completed their residencies and clinical training, be U.S. Specialty Board eligible prior to the award start date, and be able to devote at least 80% of their time and effort to Damon Runyon-supported research.

Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) – Due December 11

The ASAP initiative is accepting applications to support multidisciplinary research teams to join the newly established ASAP Collaborative Research Network. ASAP seeks to fund research projects that address key knowledge gaps in the basic mechanisms that contribute to Parkinson’s development and progression. Applications that focus primarily on Circuitry and Brain-body Interactions, inclusive of genetic and neuro-immune contributors to disease, will be considered.

WHSC COVID-19 Center for Urgent Research Engagement (COVID-19 CURE) and Awards Program – Rolling Acceptance until December 15

The Woodruff Health Sciences Center (WHSC) announces the launch of the WHSC COVID-19 CENTER for URGENT RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT (COVID-19 CURE) and Awards Program, made possible by generous philanthropic support from the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The CURE Center was created to facilitate high-impact science and discovery towards improved COVID-19 treatment and prevention research. The funds can be used to support new COVID-19 focused researchers, equipment/instrumentation, technical support, pilots and enhancing facilities for this work. In addition, COVID-19 CURE will act as a hub, facilitating and helping to prioritize Emory COVID-19 research activities. http://georgiactsa.org/documents/news/COVID-19-CURE.pdf.

Drug Development Collaboratory (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) – Due February 9

The purpose of this FOA is to support intramural-extramural collaborations on late-stage translational science projects between NCATS Therapeutic Development Branch (TDB) and extramural researchers, for therapeutic development of small molecules, biologics, or gene therapies.

Education

NIH-funded Global Health Research Fellowship – Due November 2

Are you a postdoc, fellow, or graduate, medical, or professional student who wants to build a career in global health research? A year of research training in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) can be foundational for such a career. The application portal is open for the Vanderbilt-Emory-Cornell-Duke (VECD) Fogarty Global Health Fellowship 2021-2021 cohort. This outstanding program offers a year-abroad opportunity for US and LMIC postdocs and doctoral students to develop research skills in a global health research setting.

Winship K12 Clinical Oncology Career Development Training Program – LOI Due January 4

Selected scholars will have full-time appointments and will receive 75% protected time for research, formal mentored training in clinical cancer research, up to $100,000 per year (up to two years) to support salary and benefits, and up to $30,000 per year (up to two years) for other research/training related expenses. Potential applicants must first submit the K12 LOI. To support excellence and diversity among applicants and awardees, proposals are encouraged from groups identified as nationally underrepresented in the sciences including women, members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Georgia CTSA KL2-Mentored Clinical and Translational Research Scholars Program – Due March 1

The goal of the KL2 Scholars program is to support and enhance career development for junior faculty (MD, PhD, MD/PhD, or PharmD) committed to a career in clinical and/or translational research. The Georgia CTSA is committed to assisting junior faculty at partner institutions to become independent, established, and ethical clinical and/or translational research investigators. Register for the free 2-session KL2 Application Workshop on December 3 AND December 10.

Georgia CTSA TL1 (T32-like) Training Grant Clinical & Translational Research Training - Predoc Due February 15, Postdoc Due March 15

The TL1 program is focused on providing innovative didactic and mentored research training to individuals interested in careers that encompass clinical and/or translational research. The TL1 program supports predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees (medical and PhD students, resident and fellow physicians, PhD postdocs, and PharmD residents). Register for the free TL1 Application Workshop on December 9.

Seeking Mentors: Grant Writing Consultation

The new Georgia CTSA Grant Wise service offers the opportunity for one-on-one feedback from experienced senior faculty on grant writing. We are soliciting experienced faculty to serve as volunteer mentors. If you have experience in writing grants and you enjoy mentoring, we need you! After completing the online volunteer form, we will be in touch should we receive a request that matches your expertise. Contact lauren.james@emory.edu

Research Resources

N3C - COVID-19 Analytics Platform Now Open

Researchers studying COVID-19 now are able to access an innovative new analytics platform that contains clinical data from the electronic health records of people who were tested for the novel coronavirus or who have had related symptoms. Part of the NCATS National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) Data Enclave, the centralized and secure data platform features powerful analytics capabilities for online discovery, visualization and collaboration.

Presidents’ Award of Distinction for Team Science – Due October 26

The Presidents’ Award of Distinction for Team Science, conferred by the Presidents of the academic institutions of the Georgia CTSA, recognizes and promotes excellence in multi-disciplinary research teams within the Georgia CTSA. This award will be presented to an outstanding multi-disciplinary research team in recognition of its innovative and impactful research that has, or will likely, advance clinical and translational science and positively impact human health. The recipient of the Presidents' Award of Distinction for Team Science will receive $5,000 towards their team science research program. Teams will be recognized at the Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Conference, March 4 - 5, 2021.

Team Science Award of Distinction for Early Stage Research Teams – Due October 26

The Team Science Award of Distinction for Early Stage Research Teams recognizes and promotes excellence in developing multi-disciplinary research teams within the Georgia CTSA. This award will be presented to a developing (i.e., early stage) multi-disciplinary research team that demonstrates great potential for innovative and impactful advances in clinical and translational science. The recipient of the Team Science Award of Distinction for Early Stage Research Teams will receive $2,500 towards their team science research program. Teams will be recognized at the Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference, March 4 - 5, 2021.

Georgia CTSA Ethical Dilemma of the Week

Data Interpretation and Management: Which Assay to Believe? (PDF)

Innovation & Translation

BARDA Industry Day – October 27

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority’s (BARDA) largest annual event will be held virtually this October. BARDA Industry Day is a free conference that provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about medical countermeasure priorities, interact with BARDA and ASPR teams, and network with industry partners both public and private.

Georgia Bio Innovation Summit – November 4-6

Join us as we showcase Georgia’s leadership in innovation, from basic research to manufacturing, to improve the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment.

Translational Science 2021 – March 30 – April 2 (Session Proposals Due: October 30, Abstracts: December 2)

At Translational Science 2021 on March 30 – April 2 in Washington, DC, our goal is to create an education program that embraces diversity, furthers team science, and allows you to shine a spotlight on your own cutting-edge research.

Community

Participants Needed for COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutic Trials

Adults 18 and older, from all races and ethnicities, are needed to participate in COVID-19 trials. Please spread the word to help recruit minorities, especially for vaccine trials. Register at www.coronaviruspreventionnetwork.org. Or contact Hope Clinic (Decatur) vaccine@emory.edu, 404-712-1371; Emory Children’s Center (main campus) ecc.vaccine@emory.edu, 404-727-4044; or Ponce CRS (Downtown/Grady) atl.ponce.crs@emory.edu, 770-286-3327.

Community Grant Writing Academy – Deadline Extended: October 23

Georgia CTSA’s Community Engagement program is soliciting applications to support community-based organizations seeking to learn how to develop grant proposals to fund research or other health initiatives to address community health priorities. The purpose of this Community Engagement Grant Writing Academy is to provide prospective participants with the knowledge and the skills to write a competitive research or health initiative grant. Six organizations will be awarded $5,000 upon successful completion of all requirements.

Events

Team Formation and Development – TODAY

The Georgia CTSA 2020-2021 Team Science Skill Series offers a monthly workshop from September to May. Join us via Zoom from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM to learn how to describe the factors to consider when forming and developing a team, understand the role that temporal factors occupy in team development, and apply evidence-based principles to successfully assist teams in developing and maintaining effective team process, states, and performance.

CORPH Seminar - TODAY

Join Center for Outcomes Research and Public Health (CORPH) via Zoom from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM to learn more about “A Comparative Effectiveness Study on Outcomes with Different Treatments in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery” from Biostatistician and Clinical Assistant Professor Kayéromi Gomez, PhD.

K-Club Transitioning to Research Independence Part 1: Types of NIH Awards – October 19

Join us via Zoom from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM to learn more about "Transitioning to Research Independence Part 1: Types of NIH Awards." The K-Club thrives on the support of faculty contributors and young investigator participants.

Slow the Flow: Improving the Clinical Care of Adolescents with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Bleeding Disorders – October 20

Join AiR (Advances in Research) via Zoom from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM to learn more about “Slow the Flow: Improving the Clinical Care of Adolescents with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Bleeding Disorders” from Senior Associate Megan C. Brown, MD, MSc and “Identifying Factors that Influence the Antibody Response to Factor VIII” with Research Scientist Seema Patel, PhD.

Health Services Research Center Lunch & Learn Series – October 21

Calling all Emory faculty, postdocs and SOM students and staff! Join us via Zoom from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM with Assistant Professor Sheree Boulet, DrPH, MPH to learn more about "An integrated population health research agenda for addressing disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality."

Cost Effective Design: A Statistical Approach in Sample Size Calculations – October 23

Join us via Zoom from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM with Associate Professor Jiangtao Luo, PhD to learn more about "Cost Effective Design: A Statistical Approach in Sample Size Calculations".

Blue Sky Group COVID-19 and Health Equity – October 27

Join researchers and clinicians from across the Georgia CTSA for a session on COVID-19 and Health Equity from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM via Zoom. Share your experience, learn from others, enjoy opportunities for interdisciplinary networking and find potential collaborators!

SCORE Research in Progress Meeting – October 28

Join Emory SCORE (Because Sex Matters in Science) via Zoom from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM to learn more about "Cardiovascular Disease in Women Living with HIV: Exploring the Role of Estrogen Receptors" from Assistant Professor Caitlin Moran, MD, MSc and "Transforming Cardiovascular Disease Prevention for Women: Time for the Pygmalion Construct to End" from Professor Nanette Wenger, MD, MSc.

Team Science Skill Workshop: Effective Communication – November 13

Join us via Zoom from 12:00 PM -1:30 PM with Assistant Professor Shannon Marlow, PhD from University of Texas at San Antonio for an effective communication workshop! At the end of this session, participants will be able to describe what effective team communication is and what it is not; understand barriers that may prevent team members from constructively communicating with each other; and engage in behaviors that foster productive, effective communication among team members.

Annual Workshop on Sex as a Biological Variable - December 2

Join us from 8:00 AM -12:45 PM via Zoom! In 2015, the NIH released a mandate requiring consideration of sex in all human subject and vertebrate animal research studies that utilize study subjects and/or materials (blood, tissues, cell lines) from them in order to strengthen research leading to the development, design, and testing of preventive and therapeutic interventions for both men and women.

Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Conference - March 4 - 5, 2021 (Abstracts Due: November 9)

Hosted by the Georgia CTSA, mark your calendar and plan to virtually join us in 2021 as we bring together researchers from across the region to present the best new clinical and translational research and build collaborative partnerships. Clinical and/or translational researchers working across the southeast are invited to submit an abstract. All selected abstracts will be presented in a virtual format.