Brain Research Foundation has invited eligible US institutions to nominate one faculty member (Assistant or Associate Professor) to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the Fay/Frank Seed Grant Program.
Brain Research Foundation’s Annual Seed Grant Program was initiated in 1981. The purpose of our program is to provide start-up monies for new research projects in the field of neuroscience that will likely lead to extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other outside funding sources.
Brain Research Foundation’s Scientific Review Committee will review the seed grant proposals and make recommendations for funding to the Foundation. The Committee consists of senior scientists broadly representing the various neuroscience-related programs. A representative of Brain Research Foundation is also present when the Committee meets.
Objectives: The objective of the BRF Seed Grant Program is to support new and innovative projects, especially those of junior faculty, who are working in new research directions. BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants.
Funding and award period: Each total grant is limited to $80,000 (direct costs) for a two year grant period. The first grant payment of $40,000 will be made upon completion of the Seed Grant Acceptance Form (June 2018). The final payment of $40,000 will be made contingent upon receipt of a Preliminary Progress and Financial Report (June 2019). Funds must be utilized within the grant period.
Funding Specifics:
1.) Funding is to be directed at pilot research projects that are both innovative and will likely lead to successful grant applications to NIH and other public and private funding entities.
2.) Assistant Professor – Junior faculty with a new research project that will generate pilot data that will lead to RO1 funding or a comparable outside grant will be first priority. Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grants and indicate if there is any overlap.
3.) Associate Professor – Faculty who are pursuing new research directions. Must explain how the project is a new research direction. Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grant(s) and indicate if there is any overlap.
4.) A new technique is not considered a new direction unless it pertains to a different area of study.
5.) Seed Grants are NOT to be used for bridge funding between grants.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
The following components are required for the internal downselect process,submitted as a single collated PDF document:
1) Brief summary of program project (2 page maximum, 10 pt. font minimum)
2) List of current grants (include abstracts, specific aims, and indicate if there is any overlap)
3) Biographical sketch (using current NIH format) with other support page (5 page maximum)
The Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) is the designated institutional contact responsible for communicating with the Foundation and is collaborating with Limited Submissions on the internal downselect process. Questions concerning the application process and other foundation-related questions should be directed to Eric Reinhard, Associate Director of Foundation Relations (814-863-4308 or ereinhard@psu.edu).