In this edition:

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

Funding Opportunities

• NEW NIH Instrumentation Grant Programs 2024
• Breast Cancer Alliance 
• 2024 Charles A. King Trust Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award
• Massachusetts Center for Alzheimer and Dementia Research
• Fund for Medical Discovery Research Fellowship Awards 
• MGH Center for Global Health Research Development Award
• Center for Suicide Research and Prevention
• Mass General Neuroscience Transformative Scholar Awards
• Mass General Brigham Precision & Genomic Medicine T32
• Pilot & Feasibility Grants in Nutrition, Obesity, and/or Metabolism
• MGH Physician and/or Scientist Development Award 2024
• The MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards
• Limited Submission Funding
• Foundation Funding Opportunities

Announcements:

• NEW MGB Research Strategic Planning Process 2024: Invitation to Contribute 
• Celebration of Science 2024 Virtual Poster Session
• My Green Lab Certification
• Discounted Stata Licenses

Events:

• Celebration of Mentoring at MGH
• Biobank Portal
• Digital Research Education
• Introduction to Research Patient Data Registry
• Virtual Research Tech Talk
• K to R Transition Workshop
• REDCap Getting Started
• NEW New Insights into the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis
• NEW Navigating ARPA-H
• Two Meditation Sessions available every week

NEW 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

Breast Cancer Alliance 

Young Investigator Grants



The mission of the Breast Cancer Alliance (BCA) is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure. This grant is intended to help advance the careers of young researchers who do not yet have their own major grant support but who design and conduct their own independent research projects.

MGH is eligible to nominate two candidates.

How much is the award?

The grant provides salary support and project costs for a total of $125,000 (distributed over the two-year period.) Indirect costs, which are included in the $125,000 award, must be limited to 8% of total direct costs.

When is the deadline?  

MGH letter of intent deadline: Monday, February 12, 2024 at 5:00pm

BCA letter of intent deadline: March 31, 2023

Exceptional Project Grants

The Breast Cancer Alliance invites clinical doctors and research scientists at any stage of their careers whose primary focus is breast cancer to apply for an Exceptional Project Grant. This award recognizes creative, unique and innovative research.

MGH is allowed to submit a maximum of 2 LOIs to the sponsor.

How much is the award?

The award is $100,000 for one year. Administrative costs, which are included in the $100,000 award, must be limited to 8% of grant funds. ECOR policy states that for MGH investigators selected through a competitive process as the institutional nominee in which the grant will bring in less than 20% indirect cost (IDC), ECOR will cover the IDC gap up to a maximum of $50,000 per year.

When is the deadline?  

MGH internal preliminary application deadline: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 5:00pm BCA letter of intent deadline: March 31, 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

There will be an informational session on Tuesday, January 16 from 11:00am – 12:00pm ET. Click here to register.

Massachusetts Center for Alzheimer and Dementia Behavioral Research in Minority Aging Pilot Funding and Training Opportunity



Funding and Training Opportunity: MASS-ENVISION is seeking to fund 4 pilot studies of behavioral interventions, $40,000 each, for one year. The awardees will be provided resources, rigorous training, and sustained mentorship in ADRD-related behavioral interventions following the NIH Stage Model, the Science of Behavior Change (SOBC), and the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework.

Eligibility

• Early career investigators or mid-career investigators who are transitioning to ADRD research.
• Underrepresented in medicine (UiM) backgrounds (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, first generation college students, individuals from rural areas, those with disabilities and women) as defined by the NIH.
• Must reside in the Boston area or be willing to relocate.

Application

• Propose a pilot project of a behavioral intervention within ADRD.
• Use one or more of the following models: NIH stage model, NIA Health Disparities model, and the Science of Behavior Change.
• Identify at least one mentor from our website.
• Project must be feasible to conduct within a 12-month period.

Applications are due by February 15, 2024.

For questions, email massenvisionrec@mgb.org

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

MGH Center for Global Health Research Development Award



Purpose: The CGH Research Development Award is designed to support investigators who are beginning careers in global health research. The award is not restricted to any specific area within global health, but the research must be grounded in a robust, in-country partnership and contribute to the local research agenda.

Applicants: This award is open to post-doctoral fellows, instructors, and assistant professors at MGH. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate how the funding will enable progression to the next stage of their career (e.g., future grant applications). A committed research mentor must be identified.

Funding: This award provides $75,000 (direct costs) over two years and may be used to support salary, research expenses, and/or travel. CGH will support the indirect costs associated with the award.

Deadline: Applications are due by 5 pm on January 26

The Center for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP)

CSRP Pilot Grant Program

The Center for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP) is launching its Pilot Grant Program to support burgeoning research in the space of suicide prediction and prevention.  

Award amount

Selected projects will receive $50,000 (inclusive of indirect costs) to advance their research for one (1) year. Funds can be used flexibly to support salary or research costs.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, February 15, 2024 @5:00 PM EST

CSRP Scholars Program

The Center for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP) is launching its Scholars Program to support innovative early-career and advanced investigators with an interest in suicide prevention research.

Award amount

The Scholars Program provides a stipend up to $50,000 (inclusive of indirect costs). 

Deadline

Thursday, February 15, 2024 @5:00 PM EST.

Mass General Neuroscience Transformative Scholar Awards



Thanks to generous philanthropic donations, Mass General Neuroscience (MGN) will provide up to seven (7) Neuroscience Awards to encourage and support young investigators in conducting laboratory and/or clinical research in Neuroscience and Brain Health, Tinnitus, Neurodegeneration, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (new this year). Interdisciplinary research across 2 or more of the 4 departments representing Neurosciences is encouraged but not required.

Each award will consist of a commitment of $150,000 total costs ($75K annually total costs for two years, inclusive of 20% indirect costs) intended to support salary and/or research expenses of the junior investigator during a two-year period at Mass General.

Application Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024

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). 

Pilot & Feasibility Grants in Nutrition, Obesity, and/or Metabolism



The Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard (NORCH) is currently seeking applications for Pilot & Feasibility Grants related to nutrition, obesity, and metabolism. These awards are for up to $30,000, with the possibility for up to $30,000 additional funding during year 2 via a competitive renewal. The deadline to apply is February 2, 2024

MGH Physician and/or Scientist Development Award 2024

The MGH Physician and/or Scientist Development Award (PSDA) is designed for MD and/or PhD investigators at MGH who are considered underrepresented in academic medicine (UiM). This Award is intended to provide transitional funding for support in the development of physicians and scientists underrepresented in academic medicine, and thereby increase opportunities for UiM researchers to advance to senior positions in academic medicine at MGH. This award is a key faculty initiative of the CDI. 

How much is the award?

$180,000 plus 20% indirect costs will be awarded to be spent over a three or four-year period, with a maximum of $60,000 plus indirect costs per year for 3-year awards and a maximum of $45,000 plus indirect costs per year for 4-year awards. 

When is the deadline?

Wednesday, February 7, 2024– 5:00 PM

The MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards

for Junior Faculty Women Investigators 

What are the Claflin Awards?

Although women scientists are recruited to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) programs, their advancement to senior faculty positions is still far less frequent than that of their male counterparts. In 1993, The Women in Academic Medicine Committee, originally chaired by Mrs. Jane D. Claflin, Honorary Trustee, was established to facilitate the academic careers of women in science at MGH.  

How much is each award?

These are two year awards for $60,000 per year in direct costs, plus 20% for indirect costs.

When is the deadline?

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 5:00 PM

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.

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

MGH LOI Deadline: 4/01/24

Learn more

Foundation Funding Opportunities

Please contact Corporate & Foundation Relations in the Office of Development at devcfr@mgh.harvard.edu if you wish to submit a proposal in response to any of these opportunities. Note that proposals are still routed through the standard InfoEd/Research Management process.

For all open foundation funding announcements, see the MGB Innovation External Funding Database



CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:

See full details for all awards on our website.

1. Gertrude B. Elion Cancer Research Award, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). $75,000 (No IDC). LOI Deadline: March 4
2. Fundamental or Cancer Immunology Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cancer Research Institute (CRI). $228,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: March 1
3. Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, Cancer Research Institute (CRI). $228,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: March 1
4. Immuno-Oncology Postdoctoral Fellowship to Promote Racial Diversity (URiM candidates), Cancer Research Institute (CRI). $228,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: March 1
5. Research Awards, Foundation for Women's Wellness (FWW). $25,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: April 8
6. Berman/Topper HD Career Development Fellowship, Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA). $300,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: March 18
7. NEW! IASLC/LCRF Team Science Award (TSA) on Advancing Therapies Towards Curing Oncogene-Driven Lung Cancers, Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF). $2.5 million (10% IDC). LOI Deadline: March 4
8. Leading Edge Research Grant Program, Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF). $150,000 (No IDC). LOI Deadline: March 4
9. Minority Career Development Award (CDA) in Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF). $150,000 (No IDC). LOI Deadline: March 4
10. Research Grant on Early Detection and Pre-Neoplasia in Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF). $150,000 (No IDC). LOI Deadline: March 4
11. Research Grants on Understanding Resistance in Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF). $150,000 (No IDC). LOI Deadline: March 4
12. Career Development Awards (CDA), Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). $100,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: March 1
13. Established Investigator Award (EIA), Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). $250,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: March 1
14. Vulvodynia Research Award (multiple funding levels), National Vulvodynia Association (NVA). $250,000 (No IDC). LOI Deadline: February 16
15. OREF/Goldberg Arthritis Research Grant, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF). $50,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: April 11
16. Programs for Nurse-Driven Innovations Targeting Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations (multiple opps), Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation. $600,000 (15% IDC). LOI Deadline: February 27
17. NEW! Addressing the Harms of Financialization in Healthcare, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). $300,000 (12% IDC). Concept Paper Deadline: February 12
18. Brain Cancer Research Distinguished Scientist Awards, Sontag Foundation. $750,000 (13% IDC). Application Deadline: March 13
19. Climate Impacts Award: Health Policy Supporting Vulnerable Populations and Communities, Wellcome Trust. ≈$3.2 million (15% IDC). Application Deadline: April 3
20. Resuscitation and Acute Critical Care Seed Grants, ZOLL Foundation. $50,000 (No IDC). Application Deadline: March 31

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

NEW MGB Research Strategic Planning Process 2024: Invitation to Contribute 

One of the current MGB system goals is to create a 10-year strategic plan for the MGB research enterprise. 

We are embarking upon this strategic planning exercise in FY24 to ensure sustainable growth, address operational and organizational challenges, and maintain our reputation as a world leader in biomedical research. You can learn more here.

Input from our MGB research community is critical to the development of the strategic plan. For those who are interested in contributing, please complete this short survey. The information you provide in the survey will be shared with the Working Group for each of the strategic focus areas that you select within the form. The Working Group is charged with determining how to gather input from those who have expressed interest in contributing. In the meantime, if you have immediate ideas or feedback to share, there is an opportunity to do so within the survey. 

Celebration of Science 2024 Virtual Poster Session

A Celebration of MGH Trainees 

The Celebration of Science 2024 Virtual Poster Session gives researchers the opportunity to create a compelling visual display of their work and present it to some of the best scientific minds in the nation. The poster session is an essential part of the Scientific Advisory Committee meeting, which highlights excellence in research at MGH. Posters of Distinction will be chosen to receive a $1,000 travel award to a scientific meeting.

A review panel will select a group of finalists from the submitted abstracts. Those finalists will be required to present their poster in order to be considered for the travel award.

ELIGIBILITY

Awards will be restricted to trainees (fellows and graduate students) and research staff (research coordinators, research technicians, etc.) The abstract submitter must have a full-time appointment at MGH.

QUESTIONS

If you have problems or questions please email sac@partners.org

My Green Lab Certification

MGB is looking for 20 labs interested in receiving My Green Lab Certification

Research is one of the most energy and waste-intensive parts of the healthcare enterprise, with labs using up to 10 times more energy than typical office space, and producing large amounts of plastic, chemical, and biohazard waste. As part of its effort to meet the Healthcare Sustainability Pledge, Mass General Brigham (MGB) will provide funding for 20 research labs across the system to enroll in the “My Green Lab” Certification Program in laboratory sustainability. 

Funding for participating labs will pay for the cost of enrolling in the My Green Lab certification process. In addition, MGB will gather additional research data via short questionnaires and lab-specific energy and waste monitoring. The questionnaire will assess how participation in the program affects environmental attitudes and workplace satisfaction. Energy and waste monitoring will help MGB measure the overall direct impact of the program and calculate potential savings.



Applicants must have a primary full-time faculty appointment and their own research lab at a Mass General Brigham institution.  

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

Celebration of Mentoring at MGH

Making Mentorship Matter

Monday, January 22, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 pm 

Join the Center for Faculty Development to celebrate the vibrant mentoring culture at MGH! This event will recognize recipients of 2023 departmental, MGH-wide, and Harvard mentoring awards. In particular, the winners of the 2023 CFD Excellence in Mentoring Awards will be announced.

“Making Mentorship Matter”

The celebration includes a keynote presentation, “Making Mentorship Matter” by Angela Byars-Winston, PhD, Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Biobank Portal

Wednesday, January 24, 10:00 – 11:00 am

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.

Digital Research Education: Digital Health Research Support Teams at MGH/MGB

Wednesday, January 24, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

For research investigators, study staff, and administrators, this 45-minute course will help you better understand and access internal resources and tools that will help you advance your research initiatives. This first class in the three-part Digital Research Education provides an overview of the hospital’s research support structure and identifies the departments and teams involved. Providing a roadmap to help you navigate the hospital’s research support structure and identify the departments and groups involved.

Introduction to RPDR

Thursday, January 25, 11:00 am – 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.

Virtual Research Tech Talk

Thursday, January 25th, 12:00pm to 2pm

Presentations:

-Stephen Kohut, MCL Research Psychologist-ADARC will present on Mass General Brigham's ‘9.4T High Field Imaging Program’.

-Jill Lucas, Transformation Team – Digital, Richard Hanson, BWH Radiology, and Matthew Butler, MGB Program Director will discuss ‘AI at Mass General Brigham’.

K to R Transition Workshop

Thursday, January 25, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

This course is sponsored by the MGH Division of Clinical Research

This is a workshop for applicants of R Grants. Bring one section of your upcoming R grant to review and discuss with fellow applicants and one of our experienced faculty!

REDCap Getting Started

Friday, January 26, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

REDCap Representatives: Dan Foley and Jeremy Alphonse

Description:

In collaboration with the Harvard Catalyst, REDCap is a free, secure, web-based application hosted by Partners Research Computing and designed to support electronic data capture for research studies. 

This course will provide a high-level overview of the REDCap tool. Learn about study start-up, project life cycles, data management, and how to program data fields and branching logic. There will be time devoted to user’s Q&A and design questions.

NEW New Insights into the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis

Monday, January 29, 2024, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

CBRC SEMINAR SERIES VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Speaker: 

Johann E. Gudjonsson, MD, PhD.

Professor

University of Michigan

Department of Dermatology

Department of Internal Medicine

Arthur C. Curtis Professor of Cutaneous Immunology

Ann Arbor, MI

NEW Navigating ARPA-H

Wednesday, January 31, 12:00 - 1:00 pm



ARPA-H will award $2.5 billion of translational funding in the next year. Being successful as an applicant and performer requires new approaches and skills. Mark your calendar for expert led MGB workshops on the ARPA-H essentials --- programs, priorities, funding mechanisms, performance expectations and program oversight.

• Expert-Led Insights: Learn from seasoned professionals from Mass General Brigham and Battelle to learn more about agency mission, business development, strategic partnering, and proposal development.
• Customized Content: Sessions are crafted especially for MGB and address the special requirements of collaborating with ARPA-H.
• Interactive Format: Engage in meaningful dialogues, participate in Q&A sessions, and apply your learning through practical exercises.

Two Meditation Sessions available every week

SESSION 1: Meditation Mondays with Dr. Darshan Mehta 

Every Monday, 8:00 – 8:30 am, Zoom à next session, Monday, January 22!

Co-sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development’s Office for Well-Being and the MGPO Frigoletto Committee

Join Darshan Mehta, MD, MPH, Director, Office for Well-Being, for a guided meditation session on Monday morning. 

Register and add to calendar

SESSION 2: Midweek Meditation with Guest Leader 

Every Wednesday, 8:00 – 8:30 am, Zoom à next session, Wednesday, January 25!

Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development’s Office for Well-Being

Join guest leader, Ethan Lester, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, for next Wednesday’s guided meditation session.

Register and add to calendar

See these events and more on the calendar of events

Research Institute website

Bench Press Blog

MGH Research Intranet