The School of Medicine has announced the next cycle of the Bridge Funding Program.
The next deadline for applications is Mon., Dec. 15, 2014.
Application materials should be submitted to Anne Meska in ONE PDF file via email to anne.meska@duke.edu
[box]Note that the eligibility criteria for bridge funding have been expanded to include investigators who were unsuccessful with a revised R01 application, provided that the applicant received a strong priority score and is able to describe how the summary statement from the unsuccessful revised R01 will guide development of a new application.[/box]
The following points outline a bridge funding plan for helping investigators in the School of Medicine who have had a lapse in grant support. Support of up to $100,000 per lapsed grant will be provided by the Dean’s Office following application by the affected individual’s chair, anonymous review of merit by two appropriate referees in the School of Medicine, and a positive recommendation by the Bridge Funding Committee.
1. Eligibility
- Candidates include School of Medicine faculty members who were unsuccessful with a first submission of a competitive renewal of an independent investigator award (NIH RO1 or NSF equivalent) or a program project grant.
Applications that were unsuccessful but received a priority score will be most competitive for bridge funding, in particular if the candidate can effectively address the concerns outlined in the summary statement.
- Applications for bridge funding of an unsuccessful first submission of a new R01 proposal will be considered if
the new proposal represents replacement funding for a previous NIH funded line of investigation that has run its course, or
the applicant has completed a K08, K23, K12, or K01 grant or an equivalent NIH K grant intended for transition to independence and has received a priority score on the original R01 submission.
- Applications for bridge funding of an unsuccessful first submission of a new R21 proposal will be considered if the proposal represents replacement funding for a previous NIH or foundation funded line of investigation that has run its course. These applications will be eligible for up to $50,000.
- Applications for bridge funding of an unsuccessful (A1) resubmission of a competitive renewal or a new R01 (as outlined above) will be considered if
the applicant received a strong priority score, and
the applicant is able to describe how the summary statement will guide development of a new application with less than 50% overlap with the unsuccessful resubmission.
2. Mechanism for application Applications may be submitted for deadlines of April 15, August 15, and December 15 (allowing time to receive summary statements) and should be submitted via the investigator’s department chair. Application materials must include:- The chair’s letter of endorsement and commitment, including commitment of department funds available to pool with institutional bridge funds, unless a compelling case exists for the lack of departmental funds
- Recommendations by the chair of at least two faculty members outside the candidate’s primary department who could provide an expert and unbiased review of the application
- The summary statement from the non-funded application
- The investigator’s response to the summary statement
- The investigator’s updated NIH biosketch
- Plans for expenditure of the requested bridge funds (≤$100,000)
- A complete summary of other funds available during the bridge period (e.g. discretionary funds, gift accounts, training grants)
- Plans to secure funds, e.g. other applications, mentoring plan, grant writing course
- Assessment of all application materials by two faculty members in the School of Medicine with appropriate expertise and without a departmental affiliation with the candidate, selected with input from the candidate’s chair
- Preparation of a brief statement by the reviewers describing the merits of the case and the likelihood of funding following bridge support
- Review of the two faculty assessments and all application materials by Bridge Funding Committee
- Recommendation by Bridge Funding Committee to Dean