Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

SPORE in GI Cancer: Pilot Project Application Instructions

1. Applications are solicited for pilot projects to conduct basic, translational or clinical research on the cause, prevention, detection or treatment of GI cancer. Original projects with potential to develop into independent R01 grants with a focus in GI cancer are encouraged.
   
   
2. Pilot project funding is open to all faculty at Vanderbilt University and Meharry Medical College.
   
   
3. This application includes a combined (1) face page, (2) budget page, (3) budget justification, (4) proposed research, (5) references, and (6) biographical information. Combining your final documents into one PDF is recommended. Specific details regarding the application are outlined below. Please use the NIH forms to complete the application.
   1. NIH Forms
   2. The minimum font size is 11 points.
   3. The project period for the budget is TBD.
   4. The description of proposed research is limited to five pages. The information should be organized under the headings of Specific Aims, Background and Rationale, Preliminary Data (if available) and Research Design and Methods.
   5. Reference information is limited to a maximum of two pages per investigator and is not counted as part of the description of proposed research.
   6. Biographical Sketch - please use the NIH PHS 398 (11/07) form page.
   7. The project principal investigator and department/division chair should sign the face page. No other internal signature is needed, unless required by your department/division. No extra copies of the transmittal are needed.
   8. At the time of submission, please provide one electronic copy of your application.
4. The deadline for receipt of applications is March 1, 2009.
   
   
5. The maximum budget allowed is $50,000 direct cost for one year.
   
   
   • Budget expenditures allowed include:
   • Equipment purchase or rental (less than $3,000.00)
   • Research supplies
   • Animal purchase and maintenance costs
   • Technical assistance
   • Domestic travel (when necessary to carry out the proposed research)
   • Registration fees at relevant meetings
   • Special fees (computer time, pathology, photography, etc.)
   • Expenditures not allowed include:
   • Salary for the principal investigator
   • Salary for secretarial/administrative personnel
   • Office supplies or office equipment
   • Office or laboratory furniture
   • Foreign travel
   • Purchasing and binding of periodicals
   • Dues and membership fees
   • Recruiting and relocating expenses
   • Rental of office or laboratory space
   • Per diem charges for hospital beds
   • Non-medical or personnel services to patients and books
6. Summary of requested documents:
   1. Application for Pilot Project Funds
      Face page
      Budget
      Budget justification
      
      
   2. Description of Proposed Research (5 pages max)
      Specific Aims
      Background and Rationale
      Preliminary Data (if available)
      Research Design and Methods
      
      
   3. References (2 page max)
      
      
   4. NIH Biographical Sketch
7. Please send the ORIGINAL application and Five copies plus ONE electronic copy to:
   
   Ann Greene
   Vanderbilt University
   4140 MRB III (-8355)
   465 21st Ave South
   ann.greene@vanderbilt.edu
   
   
8. If there are questions, please contact either Ann Greene (936-3989) or Meghan McHenry (343-1590)