In this edition:

Feature

Did You Know?

You’re Invited to Be in a Research Study on Well-Being

If you are an Emory healthcare worker, you are eligible for the study (pharmacists, nurses, physicians, chaplains, nursing assistants, therapists, support staff, and more). Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we need tools to increase our resistance to stress. Unusual pressures are being placed on all members of the community, especially healthcare workers. We want to learn if a 1-hour virtual Community Resiliency Model® training will reduce stress and improve mental well-being.

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).

* Sanofi/Genzyme National Medical Research Grant – Open All Year Round

Sanofi Genzyme is committed to making a positive impact in the areas of rare diseases, rare blood disorders, multiple sclerosis, oncology, and immunology. The company welcomes applications for its Community Relations contributions program. With the goal of creating sustainable partnerships that have a lasting impact, the program provides support for nonprofit organizations focused on science education, access to health care, and other community needs, specifically in areas of the U.S. where Sanofi has a presence. Please contact Gayathri Srinivasan (gayathris@emory.edu) if you are interested in applying.

* NanoString Institutional Grant for Emory University – Due October 30

NanoString is offering a unique research grant for 1 researcher at Emory University. NanoString will provide reagents for 24 samples for one of our miRNA Panels and EIGC will provide the NanoString nCounter® instrument run at no charge to help answer your research questions.

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).

* Russell Sage Foundation Research Grants in Core Programs and Special Initiatives – Due November 11

RSF will accept letters of inquiry under the following core programs and special initiatives: Future of Work, Immigration and Immigrant Integration, Race, Ethnicity and Immigration, and Social, Political and Economic Inequality. Russell Sage Foundation will continue to accept letters of inquiry (LOIs) relevant to any of RSF’s core programs that address at least one of the following issues: research on the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting recession in the U.S and research focused on systemic racial inequality and/or the recent mass protests in the U.S.

* 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 Emory Roybal Center for Dementia Caregiving Mastery plans to support two or more Pilot Projects in the amount of $75,000-115,000 for 12-months (total direct and indirect). Our pilot project award program will support both junior and senior investigators across the U.S. to conduct NIH Stage I-III intervention research that will strengthen the context-specific role mastery of informal caregivers of persons living with a dementing illness.

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.

* The Gerber Foundation Research Grants and Novice Grants – Due November 15

The Gerber Foundation’s mission focuses on infants and young children. Priority is given to projects that improve the nutrition, care, and development of infants and young children from the first year before birth to three years of age. There are 2 categories of grants: (1) Research Grants and (2) Novice Grants. The Foundation funds in 3 broad program areas: Pediatric Nutrition, Pediatric Health and Environmental Hazards. The Foundation is looking for projects that will result in ‘new’ information, treatments, or tools that will result in a change in practice.

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

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: He Took His Notebook (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.

Bench2Market Talks: An Accidental Entrepreneur – November 11

Join us to learn from Dr. Pamela Bhatti, Associate Chair for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Georgia Tech, on her experience and lessons learned launching a life science startup. This interactive event will walk attendees through her startup experience and highlight resources for entrepreneurs in our clinical and translational ecosystem including the Georgia Tech based NSF ICORP program and NIH@NCATS program. This event is the third session in the Bench2Market Talks series which was created to provide commercialization guidance to the university research community. The series covers topics to help bring your technology from the lab to commercial success and explore market opportunities surrounding entrepreneurial and innovative ideas.

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 – Applications Due TODAY!

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

CORPH Seminar - TODAY

Join Center for Outcomes Research and Public Health (CORPH) via Zoom from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM to learn more about “Cost Effective Design: A Statistical Approach in Sample Size Calculations” from Associate Professor Jiangtao Luo, PhD.

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

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!

Emory 19th Brain Health Forum – October 27

Join the Emory Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center form 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM via Zoom. Attend this free educational program to hear from Emory, Boston and Florida Atlantic University experts. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common and most studied cause of dementia. During the program you will learn how to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from other major forms of dementia.

Pediatric Research Grand Rounds – October 28

Join CHOA via Zoom at 8:00 AM to learn more about "Pediatric Brain Tumors in the Era of Precision Medicine" presented by Dr. Tobey MacDonald.

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.

Research Survival Skills Project Management – November 5

Calling all Emory faculty and postdocs! Join Professor Steve Walton from 1 PM – 4M via Zoom to learn more about Project Management. This session will teach participants a way of thinking and a set of tools that can help them plan so they are better equipped to meet project goals and navigate conflict.

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.