Research News for Oct. 7, 2022

October 7th, 2022

Announcements, events, funding opportunities and more news for the Mass General Research Institute community.

In this edition:

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

Funding Opportunities:

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award
MGH Research Scholars 2023
HMS Foundation Funds
The MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards
Howard M. Goodman Fellowship 2023
Limited Submission Funding Opportunities
Foundation Funding Opportunities

Announcements:

Harry Orf Memory Book
MGB Innovation: Barriers to Innovation Survey
Guidance for Sharing Model Code and Data as a Requirement for Publication
FlowJo Portal: Annual License Renewal and Signup
New Software Opportunity: ChemDraw
Apple Security Alert: applies to; iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Safari
Machine Learning Foundational Curriculum
LabArchives Virtual User Group Event and Research Edition Bootcamp
Applying Implementation Research Methods Seminar (AIRMS)

Events:

October Research Council - Hybrid Meeting
9th Annual NORCH Pilot & Feasibility Symposium
Novelline Innovation Speaker Series
Welcome and Recognition Celebration
The Chester Pierce Research Society October Speaker
CBRC Seminar Series Virtual Presentation
TwoCareer Development Panel Series 2: “Whether and How to Take on a Major Administrative Role
Meditation Sessions available every week
Promoting Psychological Flexibility during the Grad School Year
Identifying External Funding Opportunities with PIVOT
MGH New Faculty Orientation

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.

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:

Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant
Macy Foundation Faculty Scholars Program
Mary Kay Foundation Scientific/Innovative Cancer Research Grant
Packard Foundation Fellowship in Science and Engineering

Faculty and postdocs interested in applying for any of the awards listed above can apply for the HMS nomination by submitting an application online no later than October 24 at 11:30pm. Those who are interested in submitting an application for the Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant must submit by October 10 at 11:30pm For information on application guidelines, click here.

For some awards, MGH receives invitations to submit their own nominations. In this case, MGH faculty must first apply for the MGH nomination through ECOR and a committee at MGH will select the final MGH candidate(s) to submit applications to the foundations. Click here to view a chart of the current opportunities and the institution that MGH faculty should apply through.

An internal announcement is forthcoming for the following opportunity:

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award

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.

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.

Howard M. Goodman Fellowship 2023

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the MGH Howard M. Goodman Fellowship

What is it?

This is an endowed fellowship established by the MGH Department of Molecular Biology in honor of the founding Chief of the Department, Dr. Howard M. Goodman. The award is intended to further the careers of outstanding independent young scientists, who would normally hold the position of Assistant Professor, and have demonstrated the potential to rise to a leadership position in their chosen field. Applicants who hold a full-time appointment in any MGH department and are primarily engaged in research are eligible to apply.

How much is the award?

The award is $100,000 per year for two years plus 20% indirect costs and is effective April 1, 2023.

When is the deadline?

Wednesday, October 12, 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.
Click here to visit the FAQ page.

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.

Clinical Coordinating Center for the Network of Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NEXT – CCC) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by NINDS, is to invite applications to participate as a Clinical Coordinating Center (CCC) in the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials.

Learn more

Data Coordinating Center for the Network of Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NEXT – DCC) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) –

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by NINDS, is to invite applications to participate as a Data Coordinating Center (DCC) in the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials.

Learn more

Clinical Research Sites for the Network of Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT sites) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by NINDS, is to invite currently awarded NeuroNEXT sites and potential new sites to participate as a Clinical Site in the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT).

Learn more

Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology Research Career Development Award (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages applications for institutional research career development (K12) programs that support mentored research and career development experiences for scholars pursuing clinical, translational, and/or basic research in pediatric therapeutics.

Learn more

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

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)

Learn more

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

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.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:

See full details for all awards on our website.

(Neurological Disorder) Pathways Research Award, Alkermes. $100,000. Application Deadline: 11/30/22

Collaborative Sciences Award, American Heart Association (AHA). $750,000. LOI Deadline: 12/1/22

Research Grants Program, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). $50,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

ASLMS Research Grant Program, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS). $70,000. Pre-Application Deadline: 11/14/22

AST TIRN Fellowship Research Grants, American Society of Transplantation (AST). $150,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

AST TIRN Faculty Development Research Grants, American Society of Transplantation (AST). $150,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

Next Gen Pregnancy Initiative, Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF). $500,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

CFF/NIH-Unfunded Grant Award, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). $250,000. Application Deadline: 12/15/22

NEW! EnVision CF: Emerging Leaders in CF Endocrinology III Program, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). $162,000. Application Deadline: 11/1/22

Clinical Scientist Development Award (CSDA), Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF). $495,000. Pre-Proposal Deadline: 11/17/22

HTRS/Novo Nordisk Clinical Scholar Award (CSA), Hemostatis and Thrombosis Research Society (HTRS). $119,600. Application Deadline: 12/14/22

NEW! Academic Clinical Trials Programme, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). $1 million. LOI Deadline: 10/28/22

Discovery Grant Program (DGP), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). $750,000. LOI Deadline: 11/4/22

Early-Career Research Grants, American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)/National Blood Foundation (NBF). $75,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

NEW! (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) EDI Specific Research Award, Pediatric Endocrine Society. $50,000. Application Deadline: 12/14/22

National Endowment for Plastic Surgery Grant, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)/Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF). $50,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

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

PSF/MTF Allograft Tissue Research Grant, Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF)/American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). $75,000. Application Deadline: 12/1/22

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

Clinical Investigator Award, Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO). $100,000. Application Deadline: 11/23/22

NEW! Young Investigator Award (multiple opps), Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO). $25,000. Application Deadline: 11/23/22

Research Scholar Awards, Urology Care Foundation/American Urological Association (AUA). $80,000. LOI Deadline: 11/3/22

(CF Patient-Centered) Circle of Care, Vertex Pharmaceuticals. $100,000. Application Deadline: 11/9/22

(Independent & Mentored) CF Research Innovation Awards, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Vertex Pharmaceuticals. $750,000. Application Deadline: 10/28/22

(Cystic Fibrosis) Vertex Innovation Awards (VIA), Vertex Pharmaceuticals. $750,000. Application Deadline: 10/28/22

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.

LEARN MORE

See full details for all announcements on our website.

Harry Orf Memory Book

Please share your memories, stories, well-wishes and congratulations with Harry Orf, PhD, MGH senior vice president for Research.

Click here to add to the memory book

MGB Innovation: Barriers to Innovation Survey – Oct 14th Deadline

The MGB I nno vator Community Expansion Initiative seeks to increase and build a diverse and inclusive innovation community and ensure it represents our entire workforce. In September 2020, the MGB Innovation team sent a “Barriers to Innovation” survey to our entire community. At the two-year mark, we are re-administering the survey to collect updated information and check in on what may have changed.

The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete on your computer or mobile device. It is confidential and responses will not tie to individual survey takers.

The deadline for completing the survey is October 14^th, 2022.

We will use the survey responses to inform our planning and program content. Through your participation, we strive to achieve a high response rate, providing us with crucial results to support this critical ongoing work.

Survey

Guidance for Sharing Model Code and Data as a Requirement for Publication from The Mass General Brigham Data Science Office

Many journals and granting agencies are requiring machine learning model code (with or without associated data) to be shared as a requirement for publication. As AI/ML research continues to expand, there are increasing privacy concerns stemming from the publication or dissemination of model code, hyperparameters, weights, and training datasets.

The Mass General Brigham Data Science Office has released a guidance document for researchers as they consider when to publish and what elements to share as part of a discrete individual AI/ML research project (i.e., not part of an on-going open source activity). This document also provides guidance for use of image de-identification services and commonly used licenses and sharing platforms.

Click here to learn more.

FlowJo Portal: Annual License Renewal and Signup

If you have a FlowJo portal license through the ERIS Research Computing Core, it's time to renew. Annual licenses expire each year in September, and you will need to order again to regain access to your portal account. To prevent a break in service, request a software license through the ERIS Research Computing Core Service Catalog. The annual fee is $209/license. More information about FlowJo, and other software offerings are on the ERIS Research Computing Core site.

New Software Offering - ChemDraw

ChemDraw licenses are offered at a discounted rate through the ERIS Research Computing Core. ChemDraw is a powerful, yet easy-to use, tool for producing chemical and biological drawings. You can create your own drawings or use those provided in the library of available templates. This is a subscription service with an annual fee, which must be renewed each May 19th, to continue access. Once ordering you will receive an email with installation instructions (new users) or an activation code (renewals). Request through the ERIS Research Computing Core Service Catalog.

Apple Security Alert: applies to; iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Safari: please patch your devices as soon as possible

An out-of bound write issue in WebKit and the operating system's kernel (iOS, macOS and iPadOS) was identified as a vulnerability that can be exploited by a malicious application. That can lead to arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. This remote code execution flaw can be exploited by accessing a website or URL that has been crafted to exploit this vulnerability. Especially in iOS and iPadOS, all software that offers web browsing functionality must be based on WebKit which makes the system vulnerable even browsing with a different browser. Please patch your devices as soon as possible. This vulnerability is actively being exploited.

Reference CVEs:

macOS: CVE-2022-32894, CVE-2022-32893

iOS: CVE-2022-32894, CVE-2022-32893

Safari: CVE-2022-32893

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213413

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213412

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213414

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).

LabArchives Virtual User Group Event and Research Edition Bootcamp October 10-21.

LabArchives is hosting 2 weeks of online workshops on everything from Getting Started, to how to use LabArchives with integrated applications.

Check out the schedule!

ERISOne/ERISTwo & ERISXdl upcoming system maintenance outage

ERISOne/ERISTwo & ERISXdl system maintenance is scheduled for October 8th - 9th, 2022. There will be no access to these systems during that time. Note that ERISXdl began operation on 10/01/2022; fund registration is required for its use.

Applying Implementation Research Methods Seminar (AIRMS)

This seminar is for researchers who have previously attended an introductory course or seminar in implementation research and are currently developing proposals or conducting implementation research. Each month will include discussions of specific aims pages or early project ideas by participants, coupled with discussions of relevant research methods and resources.

Applying Implementation Research Methods Seminar will take place from 4-5 on the First Tuesday of each month. We will officially start on October 4th, 2022 and run through May 2023. This working seminar will be co-facilitated by Dr. Stephen Bartels (sbartels@mgh.harvard.edu) and by Dr. Rachel Vanderkruik (rvanderkruik@mgh.harvard.edu) of the Mongan Institute To inquire about potential participation in this applied seminar, please contact Dr. Bartels or Vanderkruik and cc: Cody Reynolds WCREYNOLDS@mgh.harvard.edu.

Both of these seminars will make use of our recently developed “Implementation Research Navigator” as a resource for researchers, research mentors, and educators (from beginning to expert implementation scientist. The Implementation Research Navigator can be found at https://www.implementation-guide.com/.

LEARN MORE

9^th Annual NORCH Pilot & Feasibility Symposium

The Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard invites you to our Pilot and Feasibility Symposium featuring investigators funded by our P&F awards and a keynote by Dr. Miriam Bredella, Surviving Academic Medicine as a Researcher. Thursday, October 20th, 2pm-4:00pm, in Simches, 3rd floor, Room 3.110.

Please visit the event webpage for the full event schedule and click here to register.

Novelline Innovation Speaker Series

Please join HTL for the next on-line presentation of our Novelline Innovation Speaker Series on November, 2 2022 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm ET.

The Novelline Innovation Speaker Series is hosted by HTL and brings regional and national experts in healthcare innovation to share their work and perspectives with the MGH audience.

Join us for “ A Conversation with Sachin Jain, MD, MBA on Digital Health and Care Transformation”

The digital transformation of healthcare is unfolding at a rapid pace and presenting us with both opportunities and challenges as we look to advance 21st century care. During this hour-long conversation with Dr. Sachin Jain, we’ll explore his vast experience and recommendations on how to best leverage emerging opportunities, as well as navigate barriers, within digital health and care transformation efforts.

More information about the presentation and how to register for this event are located here.

Welcome and Recognition Celebration

Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 6-8 pm

Location: MGH Bulfinch Tent (Outside Bulfinch Bldg.)

RSVP here

to welcome new MGH UiM trainees, faculty and HMS students

and honor the 2022

View abstracts of past projects funded by the Clinician-Teacher and Physician/Scientist Awards

To RSVP, click here

Read Oladapo's full bio

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.

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!

Promoting Psychological Flexibility during the Grad School Year

Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 4:00-5:00 pm, Zoom

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Division

During this talk, Dr. Lester plans to discuss the value of enhancing one’s Psychological Flexibility (e.g., mindfulness, acceptance, goal setting, working with unhelpful thoughts) - the ability to be present and live more fully and consciously, and to persist even in the face of hardship when doing so serves valued ends – during the graduate student years. He will guide us through both didactic and experiential materials related to the concept of psychological flexibility and will offer practical advice and takeaways for enhancing your graduate student experience.

Facilitator: Ethan Lester, PhD; clinical psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and Mass Eye and Ear. He is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and the Assistant Director of Clinical Services at the Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (MGH CHOIR).

Click to register

Grant Writing Course Session 1: Before You Write

Thursday, October 13, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, 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.

Facilitator: Becca Ward, PhD, Medical Writer and Program Manager

Click to register

Identifying External Funding Opportunities with PIVOT

Monday, October 17, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Zoom