734-764-3611
FAX: 763-4936

Clinical Research Planning grants are intended for investigators preparing external applications for investigator-initiated clinical research studies, including multi-center or institution-based clinical trials and program projects. This funding is intended to foster increased opportunities for interdisciplinary clinical research collaborations by facilitating the preparation of competitive clinical trial and program project applications to external funding agencies. The proposal should support the preliminary planning stages, rather than the actual conduct of study, for clinical research projects directed by full-time Medical School faculty.

GUIDELINES

Purpose: To support preliminary planning for external applications for investigator-initiated clinical research studies, including multi-center or institution-based clinical trials and program projects.

Category A Projects - Clinical Research Project Planning Grants

1. Initiation of multi-center trial planning
2. Initiation of institution-based clinical trial planning
3. Design and/or initiation of clinical research program project planning

Category B Projects - Multi-center Clinical Trial Proposal Preparation

Eligibility: All full-time, on-campus instructional with primary appointments in the Medical School, or whose salary is at least partially derived from the Medical School, and whose salaries are eligible to apply. Individuals with primary appointments at the Medical School whose salaries are derived from the VAMC or HHMI are also eligible to apply, although they may not receive salary support. Applications from faculty at the Instructor level may be considered only if the applicant will function independently as the PI of the project. Applications from adjunct faculty may be considered only under special circumstances on a case-by-case basis in consultation with ACCR.

Applications from the following are not accepted: PIs with salaries not derived from Health System sources; postdoctoral fellows or house officers; projects to be performed while the PI is on sabbatical, visiting professors, faculty without evidence of investigative independence, and faculty whose work will not continue at the University.

Funding Threshold: One year awards will be provided -- Category A project funding up to $10,000; Category B funding up to $25,000. Expenditures must correspond to the budget approved by ACCR.

Funding Limitations

• Projects previously denied funding through other mechanisms on the basis of scientific merit are unlikely to be considered.
• Salaries for non-research staff unless strong documentation and justification is provided.
• Travel for purposed beyond planning stage meetings and data collection.
• Budgets may not include salaries unrelated directly to the proposed research; cost overruns or retroactive funding; publication or grants preparation costs; major renovations; office equipment; library support or computer costs (unless these services are an integral part of the research project); major equipment purchase/maintenance costs.

Project Specifications:

• Preference will be given to newly established collaborations for clinical trails or program projects, although consideration will also be given to enhancing existing collaborations.
• Applications from PIs who are previous recipients of BMRC or ACCR awards must indicate the distinction of this proposal from the prior project(s) and must document the outcome, including publications and continued funding.
• Funding may involve partial academic salary support of the clinical PI only if the request amount is matched by an equal commitment from the department, and is derived from Medical School sources.
• If PI salary support represents release from clinical effort, the activity being withdrawn as a result of participation should be documented.
• Funding will be considered for partial, short-term clerical support staff only if accompanied by a detailed job description, an indication of all available funding from all sources to support the individual, and an explanation of why this support could not be accommodated as part of regular clerical duties.
• Awardees must submit a final report upon completion of the project.
• Key factors in the review process include:
  • scientific merit
  • scientific, technical or therapeutic significance and originality of the proposed research
  • importance of the question and the need/significance
  • overall feasibility and likelihood of achieving the study's specific aims
  • pilot phase experience, including evidence of patient enrollment and retention
  • appropriateness and adequacy of experimental approach and methodology proposed to carry out the research
  • productivity, qualifications and research experience of the PI and collaborators
  • appropriateness of the budget in relation of other available sources
  • likelihood of eventual external support

Application Process: There is no deadline for submission applications. Applications are reviewed by ACCR on a regular basis.

Proposals should be submitted to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, 4107 Medical Science I C Wing / 0624. Applications are available by download here or by contacting Camille Mrozowski, cmrozow@umich.edu.

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This program is currently not accepting new applications. We will make an announcement to the clinical research community when this program resumes.

For questions, please contact Camille Mrozowski, cmrozow@umich.edu, 764-3611.

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