EMERGING CHALLENGES IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH (ECBR)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Winter 2017 Challenge: Research relevant to Alzheimer’s disease

The School of Medicine’s Office of Research is partnering with NC TraCS to solicit proposals for a new Emerging Challenges in Biomedical Research. The intent of these new awards is to provide support for innovative, early stage research relevant to NIH priorities.

The purpose of the current challenge (Winter 2017) is to capture the broad interdisciplinary expertise of SOM faculty relevant to Alzheimer’s disease research. Alzheimer’s disease is common, has no current treatments that significantly alter the natural history of the disease, and leads to tremendous suffering and cost to patients and caregivers. The rise in Alzheimer’s disease underscores a need for timely research and increased funding by NIH and the 21st Century Cures Act.

The NIH’s investment in Alzheimer’s research for 2017 is summarized here: https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/bypass-budget-fy2017 . ECBR supported research is expected to lead to submission of novel interdisciplinary program project grants and multiple PI R01s by UNC SOM investigators. Preference will be given to new projects and ideas from cross-cutting teams with the potentially highest impact research across the spectrum of basic and clinical research. The funds are not meant as a supplement or bridge to an existing funded project.

The SOM Office of Research and NC TraCS will jointly administer ECBR funding. The awards will provide up to $50K for a 1-year period. To receive funding, the lead PI(s) must have primary appointments in the SOM.

Details for the RFP can be found here. The deadline for submissions is 9am on Monday, February 20.