In this edition:

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

Funding Opportunities

• NEW The Tommy Fuss Scholars Program in Precision Psychiatry
• The MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards
• Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award
• HMS Foundation Funds
• MGH Research Scholars 2024
• Limited Submission Funding
• Foundation Funding Opportunities

Announcements:

• NEW LabArchives Assessment
• NEW The Global Non-Communicable Disease Research Training
• NEW Mass General Brigham MESH Core 2024, Submit an Abstract
• NEW Alert for Mac SPSS Users
• New MGH Research Intranet
• CFD Excellence in Mentoring Awards
• Discounted Stata Licenses
• Anesthesia Machine Annual Maintenance and Vaporizer Certification
• Bridge the Gap T32 Fellowship

Events:

• Fun Fridays
• NEW Encouraging Independence in Kids
• 2023 Virtual Tumor Course: Registration Now Open
• Speed Mentoring Hour
• A Primer on Complex Trait Genetics
• Virtual Research Tech Talk 
• Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards Panel Discussion
• DF/HCC Lung Cancer Program 2023 Symposium
• NEW CBRC Seminar Series Virtual Presentation
• MGB Gene & Cell Therapy Institute Research Symposium
• Two Meditation Sessions available every week

NEW The Tommy Fuss Scholars Program in Precision Psychiatry

The Center for Precision Psychiatry (CPP) is committed to fostering the careers of early career investigators in the emerging area of precision psychiatry. Integrating research, clinical implementation, education and training, the Center is committed to driving innovation to implementation and making discoveries that can be translated to clinical care.

The Tommy Fuss Scholars Program in Precision Psychiatry will support innovative research efforts by early career investigators. Scholars will work with CPP faculty on projects aligned with the CPP mission and goals including therapeutics, big data analytics, precision treatment matching, mobile health technologies, genomics, neuroscience, and clinical trials.

Please direct any questions to mghctrprecisionpsych@mgh.harvard.edu

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

We encourage you to attend the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards Informational Panel Discussion on Tuesday, November 7 from 10:00 – 11:00am. More information can be found in the call for applications.

We also encourage all to apply for the Claflin Consultation Initiative by Friday, December 1, 2023.

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award

What are they?

The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award supports independent young physician-scientists conducting disease-oriented research that demonstrates a high level of innovation and creativity.

MGH is eligible to nominate a maximum of five (5) candidates.

How much is each award?

$600,000 for a period of three years. Funding in the amount of $200,000 will be allocated to the awardee’s institution each year for the support of the Clinical Investigator.

MGH letter of intent deadline: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 5:00pm

Sponsor deadline: Wednesday, February 1, 2024 at 4:00pm

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. 

Awards include:

• Mary Kay Foundation Scientific/Innovative Cancer Research Grant
• Packard Foundation Fellowship in Science and Engineering

MGH Research Scholars 2024

What is this?

The MGH Research Scholars program is a philanthropy-fueled initiative established to support MGH research faculty and accelerate important work that will improve and transform the future of health care.

How much is each award?

Each award is $500,000 over 5 years; funded at $100,000 per year, including 20% indirect costs.

When is the deadline?

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 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.

Modern Equipment for Shared-use Biomedical Research Facilities: Advancing Research-Related Operations (R24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) – NEW!

MGH LOI Deadline: 10/25/23

Learn more

Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on Inflammation in Cardiac and Neurovascular Disease (American Heart Association)

MGH LOI Deadline: 10/25/23

Learn more

St. Baldrick’s Research Grants

MGH LOI Deadline: 11/08/23

Learn more

Biomedical Research Facilities (C06 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) – NEW!

 MGH LOI Deadline: 11/14/23

Learn more

Advancing Research Careers (ARC) Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

MGH LOI Deadline: 11/29/23

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. Innovative Basic Science (IBS) (multiple opps), American Diabetes Association (ADA). $345,000. LOI Deadline: November 30
2. Innovative Clinical or Translational Science (ICTS) (multiple opps), American Diabetes Association (ADA). $600,000. LOI Deadline: November 30
3. Junior Faculty Development (JDF) (multiple opps), American Diabetes Association (ADA). $414,000. LOI Deadline: November 30
4. AHA Data Grant: Debiasing Clinical Care Algorithms (postdoctoral funding), American Heart Association (AHA). $50,000. Application Deadline: January 11
5. NEW! Development Grants (postdoctoral seed funding), American Neuromuscular Foundation. $100,000. LOI Deadline: January 10
6. NEW! Mid-Career/Established Investigator Research Grant Award, American Neuromuscular Foundation. $100,000. LOI Deadline: January 10
7. Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Program, ASN Foundation/American Society of Nephrology. $100,000. Application Deadline: December 6
8. Gilead Sciences Research Scholars Program in Solid Tumors, Gilead Sciences, Inc. $180,000. Application Deadline: January 19
9. Specialized Center of Research Program (SCOR), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). $5 million. LOI Deadline: December 7
10. NEW! Pediatric Scientist Development Program, March of Dimes Foundation. $250,000. Eligibility Deadline: February 15
11. NEWS! Reproductive Scientist Development Program, March of Dimes Foundation. $250,000. LOI Deadline: May 1
12. Research Grants, Myocarditis Foundation (MF). $50,000. Proposal Deadline: December 1
13. Derek Harwood-Nash International Education Scholar Grant, Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)/RSNA Research & Education (R&E) Foundation. $75,000. Application Deadline: January 12
14. Research Seed Grant, RSNA Research & Education (R&E) Foundation/Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). $60,000. Application Deadline: January 19
15. Resident/Fellow Research Award (multiple funding levels), RSNA Research & Education (R&E) Foundation/Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). $75,000. Nomination Deadline: February 2
16. Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB) Transition to Independence Award (URiM candidates), Simons Foundation. $790,000. Application Deadline: January 10
17. Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB) Transition to Independence Award (URiM candidates), Simons Foundation. $790,000. Application Deadline: January 10
18. Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) Bridge to Independence Award Program (URiM candidates), Simons Foundation. $790,000. Application Deadline: January 10
19. Research Grants into Human Origins (including behavioral ecology), The Leakey Foundation. $30,000. Application Deadline: January 10
20. Parkinson's Disease Therapeutics Pipeline Program, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF). $2 million. Application Deadline: January 11

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 LabArchives Assessment

Do you use LabArchives? Are there limitations to LabArchives that prevent you from using it? Are there other electronic lab notebooks or storage platforms your lab prefers? Let us know! All members of the research community are invited to provide feedback on your experience. We’re looking to learn about your experience and how we can connect you to better resources.

The survey will be available until October 31st.

NEW The Global Non-Communicable Disease Research Training

This post-doctoral fellowship, led by Dr. Jessica Haberer, is now accepting applications! We encourage you to apply for this fellowship if you are interested in research training related to a wide range of global NCDs, primarily involving cardiovascular, cardiometabolic, lung, and blood (non-cancer) diseases, as well as interactions between infectious diseases and such conditions. Types of research include clinical epidemiology, clinical trials, environmental exposures, diagnostics, genomics, health services research, and implementation science.

The application deadline is December 15, 2023.

For any questions, reach out to Lindsey Garrison (legarrison@mgh.harvard.edu). 

NEW Mass General Brigham MESH Core 2024, Submit an Abstract



MESH Core, presented by MGB Innovation, is a two-day intensive, in-person, hands-on healthcare innovation course designed for beginners and seasoned innovators alike. Open to both internal and external attendees, the course is suitable for physicians, researchers, allied health professionals, students, executives, investors, and the public. A combination of lectures, hands-on cases, networking, roundtables, and scientific sessions.

The abstract submission deadline is December 15th, 2023, and top-voted abstracts have a chance to win a cash award. Accepted abstracts will be notified in early 2024. Register (for internal MGB registrants) and attend to present your work and engage with a diverse audience. For submission guidelines and more details, click here.

NEW Alert for Mac SPSS Users

SPSS is not yet supported in Mac OS 14 aka ‘Sonoma’. If SPSS is important to your work, do not upgrade your Mac to Sonoma for the time being. IBM (owner of SPSS) is currently testing to make SPSS compatible. At this time, SPSS will not run in Sonoma. 

New MGH Research Intranet

A new Research Intranet website will be going live on Monday, October 16, 2023. After this date, all users who access the old intranet site will automatically be redirected to the new website.

The website will include the same information as the old one but will have improved search functionality and overall loading and processing times.

Please reach out to ECOR@mgh.harvard.edu with any questions about the new research intranet.

CFD Excellence in Mentoring Awards

Nominations due: Friday, November 10

In acknowledgment of the excellent mentoring culture at MGH, the Center for Faculty Development is sending out a call for nominations for the CFD Excellence in Mentoring Awards.

The CFD Excellence in Mentoring Awards recognize faculty and postdoctoral fellows whose mentoring has contributed to the success of other faculty and/or trainees during their careers. If you have or know an outstanding mentor who meets the criteria for one of the six awards listed below, we encourage you to nominate that person now! Nominations are due Friday, November 10, and the winners will be announced at the MGH Celebration of Mentoring in January 2024. 

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.

Anesthesia Machine Annual Maintenance and Vaporizer Certification – Special Pricing! 



Is your anesthesia machine/vaporizer due for service? Colonial Medical is offering discounted anesthetic vaporizer maintenance on Monday, October 23, for the Main Boston Campus and Tuesday, October 24, for the Charlestown Navy Yard (CNY) Campus. 

Each day there are two time blocks for estimated arrival: 10 am-noontime and 12 pm-3 pm. The cost to MGH researchers is $170 for a small machine or $270 for a large machine. To book an appointment and take advantage of this offer, contact Colonial Medical directly at 888-446-8427 or service@colmedsupply.com.

Bridge the Gap T32 Fellowship: Prevention, Optimization, and Living Well with Serious Illness

This Post-Doctoral Fellowship, led by Dr. Christine Ritchie and Dr. Ana-Maria Vranceanu, is now accepting applications! We encourage you to apply for this Fellowship if you are interested in research training related to: 

• Conducting clinical and behavioral prevention interventions across the continuum from health to illness, in all care settings (hospitals, nursing homes), and in the community for older individuals or those with persistent or serious illness, and their care partners 
• Support to secure career development awards (K23, K99, K01, K08) to start your independent line of research in clinical and behavioral prevention interventions. 

The application deadline is November 23rd, 2023

For any questions, reach out to Barrett Laird (blaird@mgh.harvard.edu) or Ayush Thacker (ajthacker@mgh.harvard.edu)

See these events and more on the calendar of events

Fun Fridays- Writing for Joy

Friday, October 20, 2023, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Zoom

Join published author, essayist, and expressive writing teacher Áine Greaney Ellrott to discover how expressive writing can bring joy, comfort, and clarity to our personal and professional lives. Learn the “why,” “how” and “where” of developing and sustaining a regular writing practice—including the evidence-based benefits of personal writing. Psst! You don’t have to be a writer to join us, and this interactive session will include optional writing and (optional) sharing.

NEW Parenting Series 2023-2024: Encouraging Independence in Kids

Monday, October 23, 2023, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Zoom

This talk will explore questions about how parents can foster independence in their children. Questions addressed will include when and how children should be encouraged to take on certain responsibilities, as well as specific parenting strategies that can be helpful. Potential obstacles and developmental considerations will also be discussed.  

2023 Virtual Tumor Course

Tuesday, October 24 to Friday October 27, 2023

The 38th Annual Critical Issues in Tumor Microenvironment: Angiogenesis, Metastasis and Immunology course will continue to offer the best in critical analysis of what is currently known about the tumor microenvironment, angiogenesis, metastasis, immunology. This will include chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, tumor metabolism, and the role of microbiome.

The internationally recognized faculty speakers will present their latest findings from the clinic and the lab and highlight key gaps in the knowledge of cancer and outline future directions for research at the bench, in the clinic, and in drug development.

Speed Mentoring Hour

Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Every month, two mentor leaders from different departments will answer your questions about any aspect of being a mentee or mentor. You do not need to be in the same department as the leaders—this event is open to faculty across MGH, but registration is required. Come ready with your questions and be ready to learn not only from the senior mentoring leaders but also from fellow attendees.

This session is scheduled for October 25, 11 am–12 pm, with Raymond Chung, MD, Vice Chief of Gastroenterology; and David G. Hunter, MD, PhD, Vice Chair for Promotions and Reappointments, Ophthalmology.

Mentor leaders will meet with up to 8 faculty members, each given 7-8 minutes to ask questions on any aspect of mentoring or being mentored and receive input from the mentor leaders.

A Primer on Complex Trait Genetics: Principles for the Beginning Investigator

Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 12:00 am – 3:30 pm

Directors: Phil H. Lee, MS, PhD and Raghu Chivukula, MD, PhD

Are you able to keep up with the changing face of genetic research? Have you heard of disease areas that have seen explosive growth in genetic discoveries in the past year? This is an excellent opportunity to learn the essential elements of complex trait genetics and gain the latest insights from expert faculty from the MGH Center for Genomic Medicine and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. This course is strongly recommended for experienced clinicians, clinical investigators, nurses, and other clinical research staff who wish to further expand their knowledge of modern concepts in genetics and genomics. Register here. Please contact tmorrison-rohlfs@mgb.org with questions. 

Virtual Research Tech Talk 

Thursday October 26th, 2023 - 12:00pm to 2pm

• Nich Wattanasin, MGB Director with RISC, will give a comprehensive update on the RECOVER project (long term COVID)
• Sara Silacci, Chief Strategy Officer & Senior Managing Director at MGH will present "Hospital Integrated Research Strategy for Leveraging Innovation and Digital Healthcare Technologies".

Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards Panel Discussion

Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 10:00 – 11:00am

Would you like to know more about the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards? 

These awards are designed to provide bridge funding for women with an HMS faculty appointment of instructor or assistant professor, to sustain research productivity during the child-rearing years, with the intention of advancing women in academic medicine. The discussion will cover:

• Eligibility requirements
• Resources to improve your application
• Advice from recent Claflin Scholars
• How the award can advance your career

Join Zoom Meeting

https://partners.zoom.us/j/84006219607

Meeting ID: 840 0621 9607

DF/HCC Lung Cancer Program 2023 Symposium

Thursday, November 9, 2023, 8:30am-4pm

We invite you to join us for a free in-person DF/HCC Lung Cancer Program Symposium at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 8:30am-4pm. The theme this year is Small Cell Lung Cancer, and we invite all lung cancer researchers to register to attend the Symposium.

We also want to remind and encourage Fellows, Post-docs, and Junior Faculty to submit abstracts which are due October 24, 2023.

NEW CBRC SEMINAR SERIES VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Speaker: Erin Chen, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor (MIT/Biology), Core Institute Member (Broad Institute), Attending Dermatologist, MGH.

Title: Understanding and Engineering Skin Commensal-Host Crosstalk

MGB Gene & Cell Therapy Institute Research Symposium

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Please join the Mass General Brigham Gene and Cell Therapy Institute for a day-long discussion on the innovative work being performed using gene and cell therapies at Mass General Brigham.  

The first annual Gene and Cell Therapy Research Symposium will showcase many of these advancements and will bring together the wide-ranging research within the MGB ecosystem that is developing and deploying novel gene therapies, cell therapies and gene editing approaches to human disease. 

Two Meditation Sessions available every week

SESSION 1: Meditation Mondays with Dr. Darshan Mehta 

Every Monday, 8:00 – 8:30 am, Zoom next session, Monday, October 16!

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 next session, Wednesday, October 18!

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

Join guest leader, Siobhan O’Neill, MD, Department of Psychiatry, for next Wednesday’s guided meditation session on October 18th!

Register and add to calendar

See these events and more on the calendar of events