In this edition:

(Scroll down for more info and click on the links for additional details)

Funding Opportunities

• NEW Pew Scholars Program
• HMS Foundation Funds
• MGH Screening Technologies in Primary Care Innovation Fund
• Diabetes Research Connection
• The Dorothy A. Jones Endowed Research Fund
• NIH Instrumentation Grant Programs 2024
• 2024 Charles A. King Trust Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award
• Fund for Medical Discovery Research Fellowship Awards 
• Mass General Brigham Precision & Genomic Medicine T32
• Limited Submission Funding
• Foundation Funding Opportunities

Announcements:

• NEW MGH Researcher Investigator Survey
• NEW MGH Endocrine Division Training Program
• NEW Massachusetts Institute for Equity-Focused Learning
• Joint MIT/MGB AI Cures Conference
• MGB Commercialization and Inclusive Leadership Program 
• MGH Research Compliance Survey
• MGB Healthcare Innovation Bootcamp Course: MESH Core 2024
• Discounted Stata Licenses

Events:

• 2024 Anne Klibanski Visiting Lecture Series 03
• Faculty Transition Webinar
• Navigating and Managing Personal and Professional Transitions
• NEW Digital Research Education
• NEW Biobank Portal
• NEW Introduction to RPDR
• Research Tech Talk
• NEW REDCap eConsent Functionality
• Leadership Skills Retreat
• K Grant Writing Workshop
• Two Meditation Sessions available every week

NEW Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards

The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the Assistant Professor level.

MGH is eligible to nominate one candidate. 

MGH internal preliminary applications: Wednesday, March 20, 2024– 5:00 PM

HMS Foundation Funds

Each year several foundations invite HMS faculty and postdocs to apply for their fellowships and grants, which serve as critical funding at the early stages of a research career. Interested investigators must first apply for the HMS nomination through the HMS Foundation Funds office, and a committee will select the final candidates to submit applications to the sponsors. 

Please direct all inquiries regarding the application process at HMS to Clare Lamont, Program Coordinator, Office for Academic and Clinical Affairs, 617-432-7463, clare_lamont@hms.harvard.edu. If you have questions regarding the MGH application process, please email MGH ECOR, ecor@mgh.harvard.edu. 

MGH Screening Technologies in Primary Care Innovation Fund



There is great promise for the development of new technologies to detect disease or disease risk factors at an earlier stage in the primary care setting. However, innovative screening technologies are frequently difficult to get off the ground due to challenges conducting research in the primary care setting and difficulties translating and commercializing technologies that need to be implemented in a cost-effective manner and on a large scale.

Award: One pilot grant will be funded for one year at $50,000 (direct costs) + 20% (indirect).

Due date for proposals: April 30, 2024

Diabetes Research Connection

DRC is funding more research than ever and encourages any early-career scientists to apply. We have immediate funds available for type 1 diabetes (T1D) cure and care research grants ranging from $25,000 up to $75,000. 

DRC will accept grant applications during the following window:

RFA 2024-1: January 22nd to February 25th, 2024.

The Dorothy A. Jones Endowed Research Fund

The Dorothy A. Jones Endowed Nursing Research Fund (sponsored by Frances and Stephen Foster) is a grant award designed to support nurse researchers (Ph.D. prepared) who are advancing a program of research exploring the nurse-patient relationship, a holistic approach to nursing assessment and clinical reasoning to uncover the patient and/or family's response to illness and life pattern that guides actions to promote health and well-becoming.

• PROPOSAL DUE:  March 31, 2024
• RECIPIENT NOTIFIED: May 1, 2024
• Grant awarded on Nursing Research Day 2024

To set up an appointment to learn more about The Dorothy A. Jones Endowed Nursing Research Fund please email: Dottie Jones, Ed.D, ANP, FAAN

NIH Instrumentation Grant Programs 2024

The NIH ORIP's Shared Instrumentation Grant (S10) program, also known as a SIG, supports the purchase of research equipment in the $50,000 to $600,000 price range. Examples of instrumentation supported by SIG funding include nuclear magnetic resonance systems, electron and light microscopes, mass spectrometers, protein and DNA sequencers, biosensors, X-ray diffractometers and cell sorters. For research equipment exceeding the $600,000 price range, investigators may apply for the High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Grant Program.

The MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) has again committed funding to provide institutional support this year for Shared Instrumentation Grant (S10) and High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Grant  proposals. ECOR has made this commitment because it recognizes that institutional support greatly increases the likelihood that an application will be funded. 

When is the deadline?

ECOR Pre-application Deadline:  Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 5pm

NIH Application Deadline: Monday, June 3, 2024

2024 Charles A. King Trust Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award



What are they?

The purpose of the fellowship award is to support research that focuses on the causes of human disease with the mission of improving its treatment. The program provides funding to postdoctoral fellows and clinician scientists in the mid to late stages of their research training in basic and preclinical science, and clinical, health services, population health, and implementation research to help them achieve their goals of becoming independent investigators in biomedical research.

This opportunity is open to senior postdoctoral researchers and mentored clinician-scientists (MD, DO or equivalent) who work in the state of Massachusetts. 

How much is the award?

Two-year grants ranging from $194,100 to $215,000 total, inclusive of stipend, fringe, and a $25,000 annual flexible expense allowance will be awarded October 1, 2024.

When is the deadline?  

Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET

Fund for Medical Discovery Research Fellowship Awards 



What are they?

The FMD Awards are intended to support the salary of junior investigators (MD and PhD Research fellows, Clinical Research Fellows, Instructors), during a one-year period at MGH, who are in the training phase of their research. We recognize that research at MGH integrates the full translational spectrum of discovery from "bench to bedside to community and population.” To ensure that all areas of research conducted at MGH are included and eligible for FMD fellowship awards, ECOR is offering 3 types of training awards: fundamental research fellowships, clinical research fellowships, and population health care sciences fellowships.



How much is each award?

The award will include a stipend of $67,781 plus applicable fringe benefits and 20% indirect costs.

When is the deadline?

Friday, March 1, 2024 - 5:00 PM

Mass General Brigham Precision & Genomic Medicine T32



The MGB Training Program in Precision & Genomic Medicine, co-led by Jordan W. Smoller, MD, ScD, and Heidi Rehm, PhD, brings together three outstanding components to build a world-class training program in precision and genomic medicine:

1. An internationally-recognized faculty with expertise in precision and genomic medicine across a broad range of disciplines.
2. Outstanding institutional resources bridging clinical, genomic, and data sciences.
3. Deep engagement with cutting edge, collaborative initiatives at the regional, national, and international levels to provide rich training experiences.

Funding is for 2-years and awards cover salary, travel to professional meetings, and other training-related expenses. Trainees will perform research in their respective Mentor’s lab but will participate in all T32 training related requirements (meetings, journal club, etc.) throughout the Mass General Brigham Healthcare System.

Application materials are due February 23, 2024 at 5:00 PM, and the fellowship term begins July 2024. Please direct any inquiries to Program Manager, Marina Wilson (mwilson49@mgh.harvard.edu). 

Limited Submission Funding Opportunities

We ask that all MGH Investigators interested in applying for any limited submission award submit a Letter of Intent (see detailed instructions below) to the MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) by the deadline indicated for each award to be considered to receive an institutional nomination. 

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:

See full details for all awards on our website.

G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation Grants – NEW!

MGH LOI Deadline: 2/20/24

Learn more

Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation Grants – NEW!

MGH LOI Deadline: 2/21/24

Learn more

Assessment of Climate at Institutions (Act) Award (RC2 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

MGH LOI Deadline: 4/01/24

Learn more

Foundation Funding Opportunities

No new foundation funding opportunities this week, but for all open foundation announcements, please see the MGB Innovation External Funding Database.

Do you want to learn more about identifying external funding opportunities? Please click here to request a research consultation with Amy Robb or see ECOR’s website for information on the Pivot database.

NEW MGH Researcher Investigator Survey

This week research investigators of the research community should have received an email from ECOR and the Standing Committee on Equity in Research requesting participation in a survey that is a follow-up to a 2018 MGH Researcher Quality of Life Survey. As you know, much has happened since 2018, and we believe it’s important to hear from you. Please check your email and complete the survey if you have not already done so. You will be compensated $60 for your time to complete the survey.

NEW MGH Endocrine Division Training Program

The MGH Endocrine Division Training Program in Endocrinology, supported by the NIDDK and led by Karen K. Miller, MD and Alexander Soukas MD, PhD, is now accepting applications for the 2024-2026 academic cycle. This program is supported by a T32 training grant and provides salary and fringe support at NIH NRSA PGY levels for PhD or MD postdoctoral fellows performing mentored research in diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic disorders within NIDDK congressionally mandated research areas. Applications are due March 1, 2024.

For more information, please email Dr. Miller at KKMiller@MGH.Harvard.edu.

NEW Massachusetts Institute for Equity-Focused Learning Health System Science Program (Mass EQLHS) 

Funding Opportunity for Early Stage Investigators In Learning Health Systems



The new Massachusetts Institute for Equity-Focused Learning Health System Science Program (Mass EQLHS) announces a funding opportunity for early career faculty committed to conducting research as embedded scientists in learning health systems. Health care organizations and patients across Massachusetts are uniting around a new initiative to train a workforce to advance learning health system science, address health disparities, and improve outcomes.

This program invites early career faculty, both clinician and non-clinician applicants, who can dedicate at least 20%-40% effort to research. The program provides limited salary support, research funding ($20-50k) commensurate with effort, and a collaborative mentored environment focused on advancing health equity and learning health organizations.

Full applications are due by 5:00pm Eastern, March 1, 2024 and rolling thereafter until all positions have been filled.

Joint MIT/MGB AI Cures Conference



Mass General Brigham (MGB) will be again co-hosting the AI Cures Conference with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on Monday, April 1st, 2024.  

Poster Submissions Deadline - March 8, 2024

We encourage researchers with potential collaborators at MIT to register and submit an abstract for the poster session (deadline March 8).  

MGB Commercialization and Inclusive Leadership Program 



The MGB Commercialization and Inclusive Leadership Program (CILP) is a one-day in-person customized program offered by the MGB Innovator Community Expansion Initiative (ICEI) in collaboration with Babson College. The program is strategically tailored to: 

• Promote Inclusive Innovation and build a community of innovators
• Break down barriers and provide resources and tools to participating in innovation
• Empower participants to see themselves as innovators and champions of innovation
• Build a strong innovator culture and community

Contact icei@partners.org with any questions.  

MGH Research Compliance Survey



MGH Research Compliance is working on a safety incident reporting process improvement project, and we’d like to hear the research community’s feedback on the MGH Safety Reporting System. Please share your thoughts through this quick survey: https://redcap.link/khj81c0j

Mass General Brigham's Healthcare Innovation Bootcamp Course: MESH Core 2024 – May 20-21

MESH Core is a two-day intensive, in-person, hands-on healthcare innovation course in the mecca of biomedical innovation – Boston. Building on decades of cutting-edge innovation on the fringes - often in the dark and limited to a select few - this official curriculum of fundamental knowledge and lessons learned from healthcare trailblazers from Harvard, Mass General Brigham, and industry will arm new innovators with key knowledge on their lifelong journey of pushing the limits of what is possible.

Suitable for physicians, researchers, allied health professionals, students, MBAs, executives, and the public. A combination of lectures, hands-on cases, networking, roundtables, and scientific sessions.

Date: May 20-21, 2024.

Location: MGB HQ. Assembly Row, Somerville, MA.

Discounted Stata Licenses

The Research Computing Core offers Stata licenses to the Research Community at a discounted rate via rcservices.partners.org. Stata is a statistical software package that provides tools for analysis, data management and graphics. Interested in learning new tips or looking to learn about new functionality with Stata 18? Check out the Stata Webinars, which are offered free of charge via the vendor's website.

See these events and more on the calendar of events

Faculty Transition Webinar

Friday, February 16th, 12pm ET

Facilitators:

Stephanie Eisenstat, MD - As a physician educator, certified coach and practicing clinician now for almost 30 years, Dr. Stephanie Eisenstat has helped individuals and groups enhance their effectiveness and impact. 

Russell Eisenstat, PhD - Dr. Russ Eisenstat has spent the last four decades coaching and supporting leaders and organizations around the world in unlocking their full potential.

 

Mid to late career for highly motivated individuals can be a time of stress and transition, but also a chance to reflect, re-energize, and reimagine work and life. Recent research in the fields of life span development and positive psychology highlights that the old paradigm and mindset of gradual decline into the retirement years is no longer accurate or helpful.

What’s Next? It’s Your Time! Navigating and Managing Personal and Professional Transitions

Tuesdays, February 20–March 26, 2024, 12:30 – 1:30 pm,

A 5-week course for mid- and late-career faculty who may want to refocus their career priorities and rearrange their work without fully retiring. This online program is evidence-based, interactive, engaging, educational, upbeat, and interactive. It is supported by the latest research and information from thought leaders and will set the stage for exploration, discovery, and planning.

Facilitator: Elise Tofias Phillips, MEd, is the Founder + CEO of Navigate, Health and Wellness Coaching and Consulting. She has developed an innovative, interactive, and engaging behavior change approach through her consulting and coaching.

NEW Digital Research Education: Digital Health Research Development Process at MGH/MGB

Wednesday, February 21st, 1:00 – 2:00 pm



For research investigators and study staff, this course will help you better understand the process of planning and implementing a digital health research project at MGB. The final course in the three-part Digital Research Education series focuses on the Digital Health Research Development Process at MGH/MGB. Providing a roadmap to help you navigate the hospital’s research support structure and understand the regulations and procedures involved. At the end of the course, each participant will receive a comprehensive guide of the research steps involved, including topics such as Project Development, Contracts and Agreements, IRB and Data Security Review, and Project Implementation. This course was developed by the Center for Innovation in Digital HealthCare (CIDH).

NEW Biobank Portal

Wednesday, February 28th, 10:00 - 11:00 pm



The Partners Biobank Portal is a tool that links consented subjects from the Partners Biobank with their health care data from the electronic medical record (EMR) and allows researchers to request clinical samples for these subjects.

This course will provide an introduction to the use of the Biobank Portal application for clinical research, including the review of healthcare data, types of samples available, genomic information and requesting data. The course is geared toward investigators and staff at all levels interested in the utility and information of the Biobank Portal for research.

NEW Introduction to RPDR

Thursday, February 29th, 11:00 - 12:30 pm



The Research Patient Data Registry (RPDR)* brings clinical information to the researcher's fingertips and ensures the security of patient information by controlling and auditing the distribution of patient data within the guidelines of the IRB.

This course will provide an introduction to the use of the RPDR (Research Patient Data Registry) application for clinical research, including the review of healthcare data, creating a query and requesting data. The course is geared toward investigators and staff at all levels interested in the utility and information of the RPDR for research.

*Link requires you to be on an MGB workstation or VPN.

Research Tech Talk

Friday, March 1st, 11:30 - 12:30 pm



Mass General Brigham (MGB) has developed a REDCap eConsent Framework that will turn the paper-based informed consenting processes into an electronic informed consent process that researchers can use for Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviewed and approved studies. The MGB REDCap eConsent Framework will allow users to combine the validated components to design and customize an eConsent Project to their Use Case and workflow.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand eConsent technical requirements
2. Learn how to program REDCap for electronic consent

Target audience: Researchers evaluating electronic consent options for research studies.

REDCap link

NEW REDCap eConsent Functionality

Thursday, March 28, 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Joseph B. Martin Conference Center 



This workshop is appropriate for clinical and basic science researchers from all fields.

Featuring special guest appearance by: Robin Huebner, PhD, NIH Program Officer

Hosted by Ingrid Bassett MD, MPH; Kenneth Freedberg MD, MSc; Jodi Kurtz MS, CRA; Athe Tsibris MD

Leadership Skills Retreat

Thursday, March 28, 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Joseph B. Martin Conference Center 



This workshop is appropriate for clinical and basic science researchers from all fields.

Featuring special guest appearance by: Robin Huebner, PhD, NIH Program Officer

Hosted by Ingrid Bassett MD, MPH; Kenneth Freedberg MD, MSc; Jodi Kurtz MS, CRA; Athe Tsibris MD

Are you writing a K? Get practical advice

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 8:20 am – 2:00 pm



A half-day in-person retreat geared toward mid-career faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) looking to build their leadership skillset. 

Topics include:

• Shift from Mentoring to Sponsorship with Joshua Goldstein MD, PhD, Director, Center for Faculty Development
• How to Give a Talk with Andrew A. Nierenberg, MD, Director, Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation Office
• Building Diversity and Avoiding Unconscious Bias with Anna Brown, JD, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for Mass General Brigham
• Building and Managing Teams with Sabrina Paganoni, MD, PhD, Co-Director of the Neurological Research Institute at MGH and physician scientist at the Healey & AMG Center for ALS

See these events and more on the calendar of events

Research Institute website

Bench Press Blog

MGH Research Intranet