Translational or In Vivo Models Program 2016 - 2017

Request for Applications

Background

One of the goals of the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D) is to cultivate translational research through the development of animal models and related biological materials.  The use of animals, tissues, or cells as models for human disease are often required to translate basic biomedical knowledge into effective prevention or treatment strategies.  Such models can provide important information related to biological processes that can be targeted for effective diagnostic and therapeutic development.

Description

The PI4D Translational or In Vivo Models Program is designed to align with NIH objectives by providing funding for the "development and improvement of a particular disease model systems and continued development of tools related to existing model systems that make those models more accessible, useable and more widely applicable".

This program offers a $25,000 funding opportunity to characterize or improve animal models for human infectious, immunologic or inflammatory diseases or to improve diagnosis and control of such diseases, including pharmacological characterization to control diseases.  The PI4D Translational Models Program will provide funding for up to 4 projects of high scientific merit with a robust proposed strategy to generate extramural funding or generate novel intellectual property (IP).  Proposals must address an area of research within the fields of immunotherapy, infectious disease, inflammation and/or immunology, including cancer immunotherapies and all cancer-related immune responses.

Proposals will be judged on their potential to procure external funding.  The review committee must be able to discern why pilot funding is needed in addition to funds currently available to the Principal Investigator. Collaborative teams are strongly encouraged. Within the 'Research Plan' section, applicants are asked to include a subsection entitle 'External Funding Strategy' by which they will outline steps towards procuring external funding using the currently proposed project as a pilot. Proposing specific external funding mechanisms is highly recommended and applicants are asked to include the specific aims for their future planned proposal.

The “Research Plan” section of should clearly describe how pilot funding from this mechanism will aid in either “jump-starting” a project or strengthening a planned or pending submission. It is emphasized that, this section may not exceed two single spaced 8.5 x 11 pages with 1/2 inch margins on all sides. Font must be 11 points or larger in Arial format.

Application

Only PI4D members/affiliates are eligible to apply to this funding mechanism.  An electronic application can be submitted HEREApplications are due by Monday, April 4th 2016. Questions about this opportunity should be directed towards Tommy Sors - tsors@purdue.edu.