Translational Research in Liver Diseases
Pilot Projects 2009

Instructions for Applicants

1. Letter of Intent – due Thursday, July 30
   
   Applicants must submit a one half to one page letter of intent and an NIH format Biosketch and include project title, aims, general methodological approach to the project, and impact on human disease. LOI’s should be addressed to Dr. Steven Weinman, MD, PhD, Director of Translational Research, Liver Center and sent to Liz Zeller-Last.
   
   
2. Application – due Friday, September 18
   
   

   Applications are only accepted from those invited to apply based on the review of the letters of intent. Applications must be submitted on the forms as follows:

   1. Application Cover Page & Checklist (Word)
   2. Detailed Budget for Initial Period (PDF)
   3. Budget Justification
   4. Biosketches for all key personnel in standard NIH format
   5. Research Proposal & Bibliography.  This section should be no longer than 6 pages (excluding bibliography) and should follow the standard NIH outline: 1) specific aims; 2) background & significance; 3) previous studies; and 4) research plan. Use Arial 11pt font, single spacing & 1" margins.
   6. IRB /IACUC approvals (see Program Regulations)
   7. A letter of support from the applicant’s Department Chair or Division Chief confirming the availability of time to perform the work, if funded.

Program Regulations

The KUMC Liver Center translational research advisory committee and selected peer reviewers will make recommendations for award funding.

Funding

Pilot grants are one-year awards of up to $50,000 starting in November 2009.

Evaluation criteria include:

1. Significance of the project
2. Likelihood to result in extramural funding
3. Feasibility of specific aims
4. Satisfies one or more of the objectives of the Translational Research Program i.e:
1. collaboration between clinicians & basic science investigators
2. utilization of the Liver Tissue Bank
3.  translational research involving cancers of the liver and biliary tract
4.  using clinical resources of liver transplant programs
5. applying laboratory based investigations to unique KUMC patient populations

Funds may be budgeted for equipment and supplies, personnel for research assistance, and other purposes necessary to execute the proposed project.  Funds may not be used for travel, subscriptions/memberships or PI salary.  PI should designate effort even when no funds are requested.  

Projects that include animals or human subjects must be reviewed in accordance with the University of Kansas’ guidelines.  Projects involving human subjects through intervention or clinical studies must be submitted to the KUMC Institutional Review Board (IRB) and approved by the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC).  Final IRB/PRMC approval is not required to submit an application; approval can be noted as “pending”.  All projects involving animals must be submitted to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.  Funds will not be released to the recipient until final IRB/PRMC/IACUC approvals have been received.

For questions, please contact Liz Zeller-Last, Administrative Officer at ezeller-last@kumc.edu or 913-945-6945.