Brain Research Foundation Scientific Innovations Award
Brain Research Foundation has invited eligible US academic institutions to nominate one senior faculty member to submit a Letter of Intent for the Scientific Innovations Award (SIA). Brain Research Foundation’s Scientific Innovations Award Program provides funding for innovative science in both basic and clinical neuroscience. This funding mechanism is designed to support creative, exploratory, cutting edge research in well-established research laboratories, under the direction of established investigators.
Brain Research Foundation’s Scientific Review Committee will review the SIA proposals and make recommendations for funding to the Foundation. The Committee consists of senior scientists broadly representing the various neuroscience-related programs. Two or more representatives of Brain Research Foundation are also present when the Committee meets.
If your institution has not been invited, please review the ‘Institution Eligibility Criteria’ (found on our website) and send us an email to info@theBRF.org stating why your institution should be invited. If you are unsure if your institution has been invited, please have your office of research contact us to find out at info@theBRF.org or 312-759-5150.
Objectives: The objective of the SIA is to support projects that may be too innovative and speculative for traditional funding sources but still have a high likelihood of producing important findings. It is expected that investigations supported by these grants will yield high impact findings and result in major grant applications and significant publications in high impact journals.
Funding and Award Period:
Each total award is limited to $150,000 (direct costs) for a two year grant period from the specified dates only (January 2018-December 2019). Exact dates will be provided by the BRF upon application approval. The first grant payment of $75,000 will be made upon completion of the SIA Acceptance Form (January 2018). The final payment of $75,000 will be made contingent upon receipt of a Preliminary Progress and Financial Report (January 2019). Funds must be utilized within the grant period. Based on the quality of applications, Brain Research Foundation anticipates the SIA program will fund a total of $450,000 in grants.
Final Financial and progress reports, including a lay summary, will be required within 30 days of the end date of the grant period.
Funding Preferences:
- Funding is to be directed at projects that may be too innovative and speculative for traditional funding sources but still have a high likelihood of producing important findings. This should be a unique project for senior investigators who are encouraged to stretch their imagination into areas that can substantially change an area of research.
- Funding of research projects that will likely lead to successful grant applications with NIH and other public and private funding entities.
Allowable costs under this award:
100% of these SIA funds must be utilized for direct costs
These costs may include:
- Purchase and care of laboratory animals
- Small pieces of laboratory equipment, totaling $5,000 or less
- Laboratory supplies
- Salary for scientific (including postdoctoral fellows) and technical staff (including laboratory technicians)
Costs not permitted:
- Facilities and administrative costs
- Salary recovery for the PI
- Domestic and foreign travel
- Conference or seminar fees
- Personal computers, computer hardware or software
- Large laboratory equipment
- Tuition reimbursement
Publications resulting in projects funded in whole or part by Brain Research Foundation SIA will acknowledge Brain Research Foundation as a funding source.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://thebrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2018-SIA-Guidelines.pdf