In this edition:

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

Funding Opportunities:

• NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program 2023
• Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award
• MGH Research Scholars 2023
• The MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards 
• Limited Submission Funding Opportunities
• Foundation Funding Opportunities

Announcements:

• CCM/IACUC Guidance #9 for Animal-related Research
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Competition to Select HHMI Investigators
• MGH Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CDI), Program Coordinator Position
• Moore Inventor Fellows
• FlowJo Portal: Annual License Renewal and Signup
• New Software Opportunity: ChemDraw
• Machine Learning Foundational Curriculum 
• NIH Loan Repayment Programs



Events:

• November Research Council
• RADG - BioLift Application
• Northeast Symposium on Biomedical Optics
• CBRC Virtual Seminar Series Speaker
• Meditation Sessions available every week
• Fun Fridays- Writing for Joy
• Grant Writing Course
• Time Management Series Session 2
• CFD Excellence in Mentoring Awards
• CPR and Stop the Bleed Training
• AVADE Training

NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program 2023

Internal applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program!

What are they?

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.

MGH is eligible to submit "a maximum of three proposals, with no more than two submissions in Track 1 and no more than one submission in Track 2." 

Who should apply?

MGH faculty who have a full-time MGH appointment at the time of application and during the entire award period.

How much is each award?

Track 1: MRI proposals that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than $1,000,000.

Track 2: MRI proposals that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,000,000 up to and including $4,000,000.

Cost sharing of precisely 30% of the total project cost is required. 

When is the deadline?  

MGH internal application deadline: Monday, November 14, 2022 at 5:00pm

Sponsor deadline: Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 5:00pm

How do I learn more about the opportunity?

NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program– Click here

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award

A program of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Letters of intent are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the 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. The goal is to support the best young physician-scientists doing work aimed at improving the practice of cancer medicine. The Clinical Investigator Award program is specifically intended to provide outstanding young physicians with the resources and training structure essential to becoming successful clinical investigators. The goal is to increase the number of physicians capable of moving seamlessly between the laboratory and the patient’s bedside in search of breakthrough treatments.

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

Who should apply?

Independent assistant professors who hold an MD or MD/PhD. Applicants must be within the first five years of their initial full faculty appointment (cut-off date: July 1, 2018). Candidates holding or awarded R01s (or R01-equivalent grants such as the DP2 and DP5) at the time of application are not eligible to apply.

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.

This funding opportunity is not exempt from the 20% indirect cost (IDC) floor minimum. However, 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.

The applicant must commit to spending 80% of their time conducting research. 

When is the deadline?  

MGH letter of intent deadline: Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 5:00pm

Sponsor deadline: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 4:00pm

How do I learn more about the opportunity?

To see the ECOR letter of intent instructions – Click here

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award– Click here

MGH Research Scholars 2023

Applications are now being accepted by the Mass General Research Institute (MGRI) for the MGH Research Scholars program

What is it?

The MGH Research Scholars program is a philanthropy-fueled initiative established with the aim of supporting MGH research faculty who are pursuing research at the level of Assistant and Associate Professor. The intent of these awards is to support the careers of outstanding MGH investigators doing cutting-edge research that is highly innovative and expected to result in fundamental scientific discoveries and/or clinical applications. 

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?

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 – 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

• Click here to read more and apply online.
• Click here to see a list of past recipients.

The MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards

for Junior Faculty Women Investigators

 

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards!

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. Recognizing that a significant obstacle to career advancement is the difficulty of maintaining research productivity during the child-rearing years, this Committee, with the sponsorship of the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR), established the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards. It is intended that this funding will increase opportunities for women to advance to senior positions in academic medicine.

How much is each award?

These are two year awards for $60,00 per year in direct costs, plus 20% for indirect costs.

When is the deadline?

Thursday, November 10, 2022 - 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

Click here to read more and apply online.

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.

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) (R25 – Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.

Learn more

St. Baldrick’s Foundation – NEW!

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is proud to fund lifesaving research throughout the world, awarding grants that focus on all major types of childhood cancers. St. Baldrick’s donors and volunteers have enabled the foundation to fund over $200 million in grants, allowing the foundation to fund more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.

Learn more

Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers (T42)– NEW!

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), invites grant applications for Education and Research Centers (ERCs) that are focused on occupational safety and health training.

Learn more

NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 – Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. 

Learn more

NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 – Independent Clinical Trial Required)

The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators.

Learn more

NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 – Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. 

Learn more

NEW! The St. Baldrick’s Foundation-ACS Childhood Cancer Research - Pilot Accelerator Awards, American Cancer Society (ACS). $200,000. LOI Deadline: 12/5/22

Fund for Psychoanalytic Research (multiple opps), American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA). $20,000. Application Deadline: 12/31/22

Therapeutic Development Opportunities Addressing Nervous System Repair in Multiple Sclerosis, National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). $800,000. Pre-Application Deadline: 1/4/23

Clinical Scholar Awards, Pediatric Endocrine Society. $50,000. Application Deadline: 12/14/22

Research Fellowship Awards, Pediatric Endocrine Society. $50,000. Application Deadline: 12/14/22

Combined Pilot Research Grants (multiple opps), Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF)/American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). $10,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

PSF Directed Research Grant Breast Implant Safety, Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF)/American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). $50,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

PSF Translational and Innovation Research Grant, Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF)/American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). $50,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

NEW! ERF SNMMI Molecular Imaging Research Grant for Junior Academic Faculty, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). $105,000. Application Deadline: 1/2/23

SNMMI-Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Imaging Research Grant, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). $100,000. Application Deadline: 12/15/22

Mitzi & William Blahd, MD Pilot Research Grant, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). $25,000. Application Deadline: 1/2/23

NEW! Feasibility of Full-Scale Implementation of LED UV Disinfection, The Water Research Foundation. $250,000. Application Deadline: 12/13/22



NEW! Integrating Wastewater-Based Epidemiology and Clinical Surveillance for Public Health and Utility Operations, The Water Research Foundation. $225,000. Application Deadline: 12/13/22

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.

CCM/IACUC Guidance #9 for Animal-related Research

October 15, 2022

Updates have been made to the CCM/IACUC Guidance for Animal-related Research.

Critical information can be found on the Animal Program page on the MGRI Coronavirus website (https://mghresearch.partners.org/coronavirus-animal-research-planning-guide/). 

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Competition to Select HHMI Investigators

The HHMI Investigator competition is open to basic researchers and physician scientists from more than 300 eligible institutions who catalyze research in basic and biomedical sciences, plant biology, evolutionary biology, biophysics, chemical biology, biomedical engineering, and computational biology.

Candidates apply directly to HHMI. Applications must be received by March 21, 2023. Information about this program and competition, including benefits of becoming an HHMI Investigator and eligibility requirements for this competition may be found at hhmi.org/investigators.

We seek a broad applicant pool and welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We anticipate appointing approximately 25 scientists who will push the bounds of biomedical research and train and mentor the next generation of scientists.

If you have a question about the 2024 competition, please email sciencecomp@hhmi.org. 

MGH Center for Diversity & Inclusion, Program Coordinator 

The MGH Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CDI) is seeking a dedicated and energetic Program Coordinator to support various functions of the Center’s mission. Click below for the full job description and share with anyone that may be interested. The link below has more information.

Program Coordinator, Center for Diversity & Inclusion (3217218)

Moore Inventor Fellows

Nomination form due by November 14

Accelerating progress in scientific research, environmental conservation and patient care

Gordon Moore is one of the most celebrated scientists and inventors of our time. To honor our visionary founder, we created the Moore Inventor Fellows to nurture the next generation of scientists and inventors. With the creation of the fellowship, we hope to encourage breakthroughs that accelerate progress for the next 50 years.

The Moore Inventor Fellowship supports scientist-inventors who create new tools and technologies with a high potential to accelerate progress in the foundation’s areas of interest: scientific discovery, environmental conservation and patient care.

Each fellow receives a total of $825,000 over three years to drive their invention forward, which includes $50,000 per year from their home institution as a commitment to these outstanding individuals.

Learn more here

Machine Learning Foundational Curriculum 

Mass General Brigham's Data Science Office is pleased to announce the Machine Learning Foundational Curriculum course is now available to take online for MGB employees!

Presented by Dr. Kathy Andriole, this training program will introduce you to the fundamentals of Machine Learning (ML) in healthcare, with an emphasis on practical concepts and knowledge. The curriculum consists of recorded lectures, self-directed exercises, and hands-on interactive demonstrations that expose learners to the tools and techniques involved in developing, validating, and translating AI/ML into clinical practice.

Click here: https://datascience.massgeneralbrigham.org/machine-learning-foundational-curriculum to request access (MGB username and password required). 

Research Tech Talk

Next Research Tech Talk is Thursday December 8th, 12:10pm-2:00pm, there is no November Tech Talk. December 8th presentations to be announced.  Check back.

NIH Loan Repayment Programs

The Fiscal year 2023 NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application cycle is now opened through November 17, 2022. Funds awarded under LRP allow recipients to repay qualified educational debt in return for a commitment to engage in NIH mission-relevant research at a domestic, nonprofit, or government entity.

Click here for additional information about the LRP User Guide and required MGH Chief Letter.

November Research Council

Monday, November 7, 2022

 Please join us for Research Council on Monday, November 7, 2022, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

This meeting will be Hybrid and all members of the Mass General Research Institute are welcome to attend via zoom or in person at Simches Auditorium (3.110)

Meeting Chair: Elizabeth Lawson, MD

Annual ECOR Elections  

Each candidate for ECOR representative will give a brief statement on their background and aspirations for the MGH research community.

 The Longfellow Project at Mass General Research Institute

A New Model of Collaboration Across Academia and Industry

We will hear from Gabriela Apiou, PhD, about the Longfellow Project — a novel program from the Mass General Research Institute (MGRI) and how it can support the connection between academia and industry.

RADG - BioLift Application 

All members of the research community interested in learning about the BioLift application are invited to attend the upcoming RADG meeting. 

BioLift is an online application and solution for transporting biological samples between the Charlestown Navy Yard, MGH Main Campus and the Ragon Institute. Kele Piper, Director of Research Compliance, will be discussing the application, how to use it, and best practices. Meeting details can be found below.

Northeast Symposium on Biomedical Optics

Registration is now open for the Northeast Symposium on Biomedical Optics (NESBO) to be held on November 10^th, 2022 in Cambridge, MA.

NESBO is a symposium organized by postdocs and graduate students where similarly early career scientists give invited talks about their research in the general area of biomedical imaging and sensing. The symposium is also a networking and professional development opportunity for early career scientists. This year's sessions in biomedical optics include: image processing and machine learning, neurophotonics, and advances in optical-molecular imaging.

Also included with NESBO is a poster competition (with prizes!), an academia to industry panel discussion, and an networking event at Cambridge Brewing following the symposium (drink and food provided!).

All graduate students and postdocs are welcome to register whether they are in the field of biomedical optics or just looking to learn more.

Check out the agenda and register FREE at the link below!! 

CBRC Virtual Seminar Series Speaker

Speaker: Ido Amit, PhD

Professor of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science,

Rehovot, Israel

The Title of his talk is: “Single-cell immunology: past, present and future”.

Date of Seminar:         Monday, November 14, 2022

Time:                           9 am – 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting

https://partners.zoom.us/j/8725680705

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, August 29!

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, August 31!

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

Join guest leader, Jonathan Greenberg, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, for next Wednesday’s guided meditation session on August 31^th!

Register and add to calendar

Fun Fridays- Writing for Joy

Friday, November 4, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Zoom

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

Fun Fridays offer a refreshing mid-day break from work to indulge in physical, mental, or creative activity.

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.

Facilitator: Irish native Áine Greaney has worked in U.S. healthcare communications for 20+ years—currently in The Center for Celiac Research and Treatment at MGH. In addition to her published books, her personal essays have appeared or been cited in publications such as The New York Times, The Boston Globe Magazine, Best American Essays, The Mindful Word, The Daily Wisdom, KevinMD, World of Psychology and other outlets.

Past and upcoming presentation venues include The Youth at Risk Conference; The North of Boston Cancer Resource; The Justice Resource Institute (JRI); Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center; American Holistic Nurses Association; and the Carver School of Medicine, U. Iowa.



Click to register

Grant Writing Course

Thursday, November 10, 2022, 12-1pm, Zoom

Sponsored by the Office for Research Careers

Created by the MGH Science Writing Group led by Becca Ward, PhD, this series returns for the second year. It is open to all MGH trainees and faculty. There is no requirement to attend every session, but you are highly encouraged to do so. More specific information on various sessions will follow.

Session 4 - (Nov 10): Research Strategy – Part II: Approach

facilitated by Becca Ward, Ph.D., Medical Writer and Program Manager

Session 5 - (Nov 17): Supporting Document: Environment, Biological/Chemical Components, Vertebrate Animals

facilitated by Stephanie Weldon, Ph.D., Program Manager, Batista Lab at the Ragon Institute

Session 6 - (Dec 1): Human Subjects

facilitated by Kamryn Eddy, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry

Session 7 - (Dec 8): Budget & Personnel Documents

facilitated by Kelsey Laning, Senior Administrative Manager, Research Grants, and Strategic Alliances & Stephanie Weldon, Ph.D., Program Manager, Batista Lab at the Ragon Institute

Session 8 - (Dec 15): Documents for Unique Situations: Introduction & Multi-PI Plans

facilitated by Trisha Berger, Ph.D., Director of Scientific and Medical Communication for the Cellular Immunotherapy Program & Becca Ward, Ph.D., Medical Writer and Program Manager

Click to register 

Time Management Series Session 2- “Tips for Efficiency: How to leverage software tools to improve your time management and efficiency”

Wednesday, November 9, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Zoom 

Provided by MGH Center for Faculty Development & Mass General Brigham

Petra Lewis will review task management software, web note-taking systems, and screen capture software designed to improve your time management and efficiency. Attendees are encouraged to download trial or educational versions of Todoist, Evernote and Screencast in advance of the session.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to: 

·       Recognize the need for a task manager in your life

·       Prioritize and organize your career and home tasks and activities to improve clarity and reduce stress

·       Leverage the power of task managers, web note-taking systems and screen capture software to increase speed and efficiency

Target Audience: This activity is intended for faculty and faculty trainees.

Course Director: Miriam A. Bredella, MD, Director, Center for Faculty Development; Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School

Presenter: Petra Lewis, MBBS, FAUR, FACR, Professor of Radiology and OB/GYN, Dartmouth Health Petra Lewis gained her medical degree at Guy’s Hospital, London, England. Initial UK training was followed by a Nuclear Medicine Fellowship at Johns Hopkins, two years running a clinical PET center in London, then Radiology residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, NH. She has been on faculty at Geisel Medical School at Dartmouth since 1998, where she is currently a Full Professor in Radiology and OBGYN, and Vice Chair of Education for Radiology. 

ACCREDITATION

In support of improving patient care, Mass General Brigham is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Mass General Brigham designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Click to register

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! CFD EXCELLENCE IN MENTORING AWARDS

Nominations due: Wednesday, November 23

Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development

Do you have or know an outstanding mentor?

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 Wednesday, November 23, and the winners will be announced at the MGH Celebration of Mentoring on January 25, 2023. 

Click here for details

CPR and Stop the Bleed Training

Charlestown Navy Yard

• November 10^th 8am-11:30am
• Conference Room A 1^st floor

Simches

• November 14^th 8am-11:30am
• Room 3120

To sign up, please email Harold Roy @ hjroy@partners.org

AVADE Training

Awareness, Vigilance, Avoidance, Defense, Escape

Charlestown Navy Yard

• November 21st 10am-1pm
• Conference Room A 1st floor

For more information: https://apollo.massgeneral.org/policeandsecurity/