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   Prior Awardees:
       2016
       2015
       2014
       2013
       2012
       2011
   FAQs
 
Alkek Award for Pilot Projects in
Experimental Therapeutics
   
  Through the generosity of the Alkek Foundation, the Dan L. Duncan Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) has established a college-wide seed fund for research in translational experimental therapeutics. The purpose of this pilot project program is to continue to build BCM expertise and capacity in target validation as well as in preclinical translational research focused on the development of promising therapeutic targets, devices, or diagnostic assays for clinical applications.

The ICTR seeks applications for one-year awards (up to $100,000) in translational experimental therapeutics research. All therapeutic modalities qualify, including but not limited to, small inhibitory RNAs, small molecules, biologics such as antibodies, and gene therapy. Applications for new devices or diagnostic assays will also be considered. The proposed project should be at a stage where the investigators believe that an IND/IDE submission within two years of funding is feasible.

Review of applications will be conducted twice annually according to the following timetable:
Call for
Applications 		Application
Deadline 		Review Period Notification of
Outcome 		Anticipated
Funding Start
March 1 April 30 May – July Late July August 1
September 1 October 31 November – January Late January February 1

Investigators who would like help determining if their projects may qualify for funding are encouraged to contact the Baylor Licensing Group (blg@bcm.edu) or the Innovation Development Center (idc@bcm.edu).

The applications will undergo a multi-step review. The initial review will be conducted by the Experimental Therapeutics Scientific Advisory Committee within the ICTR, where applications will be ranked using the NIH scoring system. Proposals will simultaneously be reviewed for commercialization potential. Applications proceeding to the next stage of review will present a commercialization plan to the Strategic Commercialization Oversight Committee. Assistance in the development of this plan is available through the ICTR, Baylor Licensing Group and BCM Technologies.

The goal of the Alkek Award for Pilot Projects in Experimental Therapeutics is to fund projects that have a definable development pathway toward clinical application.

  • All BCM faculty members are eligible.
  • Investigators who received a pilot award in the previous year may apply for a second year of support. However, it is expected they will have made significant progress in the previous year and have a strong justification for requesting additional support.
  • If an application to external granting agencies on the same work is currently pending and is subsequently awarded, any approved and unspent funds must be returned at the time the external grant is activated.


At the time the application is submitted, the investigator will be asked to answer the following questions to the best of his/her ability:
  • What is your product, device or therapeutic?
  • Who would buy/use it?
  • How would it replace what is currently done or change the current care paradigm?
  • What are existing competitive alternatives?
  • What is the patentability?
  • Who are potential commercial partners?
  • Assume you get the grant, where will you be at the end of the funding period and what would need to be done next?

  • Proposals will undergo scientific review by the Experimental Therapeutics Scientific Advisory Committee, composed of Baylor College of Medicine Faculty and scored on an NIH 1-9 scale.


     Scientific Review
  • The significance of the research.
  • Appropriate study design.
  • Feasibility of the procedures outlined in the application, including the ability to complete the project in one year and submit an IND/IDE within two years.
  • Scientific expertise of the applicant to perform the proposed research.
  • Assessment of the budget justification.
     Commercialization Review
  • The probability that the project will lead to a targeted therapeutic, device for clinical use, or diagnostic assay.
Applicants are encouraged to avoid specialized jargon, to provide definitions and brief descriptions of sophisticated procedures since all review panel members may not be expert in the topic of every application.


Documents must be uploaded separately.

Applications should be in Arial 11 point font with one-half inch margins. Each application must contain the following items in the order outlined below:
  1. Cover sheet (Format of cover sheet)
  2. Research plan: (six pages maximum)
    • Specific aims
    • Background and significance
    • Preliminary data section with animal data (for therapeutics and devices)
    • Study design, methodology, data analysis and any problem areas anticipated
  3. Literature cited: Include complete citations, no page limit.
  4. Budget: Provide justification for each major item. Equipment requests may not exceed 10 percent of the total grant budget (explain why existing equipment cannot be used). Unallowable costs include travel, major equipment and faculty or administrative salaries.
  5. Biosketch: NIH 4-page format. Sample Biosketch with Instructions, Biosketch Template (MS Word Format).
  6. Letters of support: Must include letter of support for the project from the PI's Chair or Center Director. Other letters may be included as desired.
  7. Commercialization potential: At the time the application is submitted, the investigator will be asked to answer the following questions to the best of his/her ability:
    • What is your product, device or therapeutic?
    • Who would buy/use it?
    • How would it replace what is currently done or change the current care paradigm?
    • What are existing competitive alternatives?
    • What is the patentability?
    • Who are potential commercial partners?
    • Assume you get the grant, where will you be at the end of the funding period and what would need to be done next?
  8. Assurances and Compliance: Neither pending nor approved protocols are required with this application. However, if funded, researchers must obtain institutional approval for proposals involving human subjects, animals, radioisotopes, or biohazardous materials.

    Printable Application Instructions


  • A six-month interim progress report (1 page) and annual progress reports are required for 4 years after the receipt of the award.
  • The reports should detail publications, presentations, grants, and/or venture capital that resulted or were related to this project.


Application submission is closed.



Note: Application submissions require BCM ECA authentication. Please use 'BCM\' before your username to login.

If you have general questions regarding the Alkek Award for Pilot Project in Experimental Therapeutics, please review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Section located on the left panel of this page or email us at ICTR@bcm.edu

Important Deadlines
    Application Submission:
               Spring Deadline: April 30 (6:00pm) 		 
                 Fall Deadline: October 31 (6:00pm)  
   
 
     
 
   For problems/questions regarding this web site, please contact ICTR/RRO Research Informatics