The Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) at Baylor College of Medicine is pleased to announce pilot awards for proposals in cardiovascular research that will promote collaboration between multiple investigators and are likely to lead to externally funded grants in the foreseeable future.
  • Internal Deadline: Friday, September 01, 2023 (6:00 PM).
  • Applications will be reviewed by members of the CVRI Executive Committee.
  • Funding for selected proposals is anticipated to be available October 2023-June 30, 2024. No cost extensions will not be permitted.
  • To promote the writing of multi-PI grants in the area of cardiovascular research (clinical, translational or basic). The expectation is that before the end of calendar year 2023, the co-PIs will submit a grant proposal for external funding (NIH, DOD, or NSF preferred).
  • BCM faculty who are members of the CVRI may submit applications. Please visit: https://www.bcm.edu/research/research-centers/cardiovascular-research-institute/membership to become a member.
  • Each proposal must include, but not exceed two PIs, with primary appointments in at least two different BCM departments. Collaborators from other TMC institutions are allowed but cannot serve as one of the PIs.
  • Only BCM faculty and their lab may receive CVRI pilot funds.
  • IRB or IACUC protocol(s) must be approved at the time of application submission.
  • Three awards up to $20,000 will be made in unrestricted funds.
  • The CVRI Pilot Awards are intended to foster collaborative research projects with a high probability of obtaining external funding within a year. Special attention will be paid to the potential collaborative impact of the application and the external funding plan included in the application.
  • Applications will be reviewed by members of the CVRI Executive Committee. Executive committee members are listed here: https://www.bcm.edu/research/centers/cardiovascular-research-institute/leadership Applications will be scored on a 9 point NIH scoring system, with the addition of one decimal point. Applications will be scored on each of the following criteria: Overall Impact, Collaboration, Significance, Investigator, Approach, and Environment. Reviewers will make a budget recommendation based on the application, requested budget, and justification.
  • Significance of the research to cardiovascular science
  • Appropriate study design
  • Feasibility of the research design and plans for external funding
  • Clear organizational study plan incorporating significant contributions from multiple investigators
  • Scientific expertise of the investigators
  • Assessment of the budget and budget justification
  • External funding potential
  • 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. SUMMARY SHEET (Completed in the application portal)

  2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION/ SPECIFIC AIMS PAGE (1 page)

    This description is meant to serve as a succinct and accurate description of the proposed work when separated from the application. State the application’s broad, long-term objectives and specific aims, making reference to the health relatedness of the project. Describe concisely the research design and methods for achieving these goals. Avoid summaries of past accomplishments and use of the first person.
    • State the goals of the proposed research and summarize the expected outcome(s), including the impact that the results of the proposed research will exert on the research field(s) involved.
    • List the specific objectives of the research proposed, e.g.: to test a stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology.


  3. RESEARCH PLAN (maximum 6 pages)

    The research plan typically contains 1 to 1½ pages for the background/significance and innovation sections, and the remainder is used to describe the approach.
      Background & Significance:
      • Provide sufficient background so scientists who are not experts in your field understand the medical/scientific problem you will be studying.
      • Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress in the field that the proposed project addresses. Describe what is known, what is not known, and the rigor of prior research.
      • Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice in one or more broad fields.
      • Describe how the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field will be changed if the proposed aims are achieved.
      Innovation:
      • Explain how the application challenges and seeks to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms.
      • Describe any novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or intervention(s) to be developed or used, and any advantage over existing methodologies, instrumentation or intervention(s).
      • Explain any refinements, improvements, or new applications of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions.
      Approach:
      • You may include preliminary data (generally not more than 1 page) that support the premise of your work or demonstrate feasibility of your approaches.
      • Describe overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Unless addressed separately, include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted.
      • Describe the collaborative element of the study design and how this will contribute to success.
      • If the project is in the early stages of development, describe any strategy to establish feasibility, and address the management of any high-risk aspects of the proposed work.
      • Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims.
  1. PLANS FOR SUBMISSION FOR A FEDERAL OR FOUNDATION GRANT AND TIMELINE FOR SUBMISSION

    • Provide a ½-1 page summary of anticipated plans for grant application, including expected timelines and funding source/grant type.

  2. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES CITED

    • Provide a bibliography of any references cited in the Research Plan. Each reference must include names of all authors (in the same sequence in which they appear in the publication), the article and journal title, book title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publication. Include only bibliographic citations. Follow scholarly practices in providing citations for source materials relied upon preparing any section of the applications. The references should be limited to relevant and current literature. While there is not a page limitation, it is important to select only those literature references pertinent to the proposed research.

  3. BUDGET   NIH Budget MS Word format

    • Complete the budget form and provide complete justification for each requested item.
    • The justification has a 1-page limit.
    • Funds are to be used primarily for supplies and technical support. PI salary/fringe and major equipment are not allowed.
    • Proposals cannot exceed $20,000 in total direct costs. No indirect costs are to be included.

  4. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES   Biosketch Instructions
    • Provide a NIH format biographical sketch for both principal investigators, co-investigator, and all key personnel in a single PDF file with the corresponding PI’s biosketch first. Each biosketch should not exceed 5 pages in length and should follow current NIH guidelines.

  5. ASSURANCES AND COMPLIANCE

    • Approved protocols are required for this application. Please indicate if your proposal will include: human subjects, animals, recombinant DNA (rDNA), lasers, x-ray machines, irradiators, or radioactive materials.
    • For all of the above with the exception of irradiators, please include the protocol number under which approval for research on the item(s) is being applied.
    • Attach IRB or IACUC approval letter.

  • Progress reports (1-2 page PDF, Arial 11 point with ½” margins) and a financial report will be required within two months after completion of the award (approximately August 31). The progress report should detail scientific progress made on the project, including any manuscripts or presentations made or planned. It should include a section on external funding applications made or planned, and describe the collaborative aspects of the work conducted.
FAQs
Application submission deadline is September 1, 2023, 6:00 PM CDT.

Application submission is closed.


If you have general questions regarding Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) Pilot Awards, please review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Section located on the left panel of this page or email us at cvri@bcm.edu