CAPS Innovative Grant Program
Guidelines for Pilot Grant Applications
A. Overview
The UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS) Innovative AIDS Prevention Pilot Awards Program supports pilot studies related to the theme of innovation in HIV/AIDS prevention research. The CAPS innovative grants program prioritizes the funding of pilot grants that will lead to the submission of NIH R01 grant proposals or to NIH grants that will subsequently lead to R01 proposals. The focus of this grants program is on social/behavioral issues in HIV prevention and policy research.
B. Funding Opportunity
The CAPS innovative grants program will fund proposals based on merit and availability of funds. The maximum award amount will be $20,000. All money from awards (expected to be dispensed in mid-November) should be spent by August 31, 2008. Start-up funds for pilot studies that can lead to more substantive extramural funding are encouraged.
Additionally, CAPS maintains a Community Advisory Board which has requested that pilot research use these guidelines when considering innovative research:
- The study should be innovative rather than something that has already been studied a great deal.
- The study should involve the target population in the formation of the protocol.
- It should be shown how the proposed study fits into the larger body of published knowledge in the area.
- The "So what?" question should be addressed; that is, the practical implications for HIV prevention of the proposed project. The proposal should answer these questions: "What will this study lead to?" "Why is this a crucial step?" and "What does this add to the HIV research puzzle?"
C. Eligibility
Any UCSF investigator is eligible to apply as Principal Investigator (PI) on grants (including post-doctoral fellows and faculty; must have PhD or MD). New investigators are particularly urged to apply. Due to the relatively small award amount and in order to avoid complex administrative procedures, successful applicants must have a UCSF home accounting department. Subcontract awards are not permitted.
D. Budgets
Budgets may not exceed $20,000. Since this is an internal CAPS grant, there will be no indirect costs. Award money should be spent by August 31, 2008, which leaves an anticipated award period of about nine months. Due to the relatively small award amount and in order to avoid complex administrative procedures, successful applicants must have a UCSF home accounting department. Subcontract awards are not permitted.
Supplies and Expenses: Laboratory supplies, office supplies, and other necessary and reasonable expenses are allowed and must be fully justified in the application. Equipment: Equipment is defined as non-expendable, tangible personal property that has an acquisition cost of $1,500 or more, is freestanding, and has a normal life expectancy of two years or more. Only equipment requested and fully justified in the application and approved in the award budget may be purchased with these funds. Effort: PI’s cannot "donate" time to a project. PI’s must invest effort on a project, even if only 1%. Postdoctoral fellows, however, cannot be paid for their effort, as stipulated by training grant rules.
E. CHR/IRB Approvals
All studies require approval by the appropriate Committee on Human Subjects, but approval is not a prerequisite for submission. Once a project is approved, however, Committee approval must be sent to Scott Stumbo before funds will be released. CHR approval MUST be obtained within 90 days of award notice or the funding offer will be withdrawn.
F. Peer Review Process
Applications will be peer-reviewed by at least three HIV/AIDS prevention scientists and/or Community Advisory Board members who are knowledgeable in the field. Grants and peer reviews will then be discussed by the CAPS Senior Leadership Group, which makes final awards decisions.
G. Research Resources
CAPS offers several core resources for design, conduct, and analysis of pilot research, and PI’s are encouraged to use them in preparing proposals for this submission. These include (1) a scientific mentoring and research training program; (2) consultation on clinical research study design, biostatistical analysis, and data management; (3) consultation on issues related to international research; (4) consultation on issues of policy and ethics; and (5) the Technology & Information Exchange (TIE) Core for community collaboration and dissemination.
H. Progress Reporting
All awardees are asked to submit a one-page progress report to Scott Stumbo (contact information below) at the end of 6 months and a two-page progress report after 12 months. Funds are awarded with the expectation that the pilot studies will lead to extramural funding, and progress reports should be written with this in mind.
I. Program Contact
For questions concerning the CAPS HIV/AIDS innovative pilot awards program, please contact Leslie Roos or at 415/597-9106.
J. Letter of Intent Process
The innovative grant program requires a one-to-two-page Letter of Intent (LOI) summarizing the proposed research project. Upon review of the LOIs, selected scientists will be asked to submit formal applications. Investigators may submit more than one LOI (each involving a different project).
In the LOI, scientists should identify major collaborating investigators (including mentors, if applicable) and the institutional facilities to be used. Letters of Intent should include the following general sections:
- Abstract
- Proposed Aims
- Research Design Synopsis
Send LOIs by no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday August 15, 2007 to:
L eslie Roos
CAPS, UCSF
UCSF Box #0886
50 Beale St. Suite 1300
San Francisco, CA 94105
All LOIs will be reviewed by the senior leadership by early September 2007. Selected pilot award candidates will then be asked to complete formal applications for the award program and will be mailed a full application form at that time. Sample full application packets are available upon request during the LOI process.
K. Anticipated Award Timeline
| Friday July 13, 2007 | RFP released |
| Wednesday August 15, 2007 | Letters of intent (LOI) are due |
| Late August 2007 | Senior leadership review of LOIs |
| Early September 2007 | Applications requested from successful LOI applications |
| Friday, October 12, 2007 | Final full application packets are due |
| Late October 2007 | Peer review committee meetings |
| Early November 2007 | Final funding decisions are made; Funding will be released to awardees who have approved CHR application |
| May 2008 | Six month progress reports are due |