Graduate Research and Education in Adaptive Bio-Technology (GREAT) Training Grants

I. How it works

The application is a two-part process:

1. A brief pre-proposal submitted by an investigator is due October 25, 2005, 11:00AM.
   NOTE NEW DEADLINE DATE (extended from October 11, 2005).
    
2. In mid January, selected investigators are invited to submit full proposals with a deadline of early March, 2006. Please contact the UC BREP Office.

II. Introduction and scope of initiative

The University of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program offers an innovative research training program that supports individual two-year training grants (up to $50,000 per grant per year) in the Graduate Research and Education in Adaptive Bio-Technology (GREAT) Training Program.

This GREAT Training Program supports the training of the brightest young graduate students within the University of California system in cutting-edge theoretical and experimental research at:

The interface between the life sciences and the physical, chemical, material, engineering, mathematical or computational sciences.

Indisputably novel ideas for research and training that do not strictly fall within those parameters but are within the broadly defined field of biotechnology will be considered.

The program focuses on training in the cross-disciplinary fields listed above. It is designed to:

• Take advantage of the outstanding research and training expertise throughout the University of California system.
   
• Encourage demonstrated cross-disciplinary collaborative endeavors.
   
• Provide the type of training environment that better prepares our students for careers in evolving interdisciplinary fields in industry, academia and government.

The GREAT Program anticipates funding 10-15 proposals for this highly competitive award. An award is granted for a two-year term with the second year of funding contingent upon satisfactory scientific progress and budget report and University of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program funding.

III. Pre-Proposal

Outstanding researchers of the University of California and the UC-administered national laboratories' scientific research community working at the interface of the disciplines as described above will be known as the Faculty sponsor(s).

Pre-proposal application consists of:

1. one primary Faculty Sponsor
    
2. one or more co-sponsor(s), and/or mentor(s)
    
3. one trainee nomination (optional at pre-proposal stage)

A faculty Sponsor may be listed as the primary Faculty Sponsor on only one pre-proposal. This does not preclude co-sponsorship or mentorship on other pre-proposals. Applications for larger trainee groups will not be considered. (More on faculty sponsors below.)

The pre-proposal consists of the following parts in the order given below:

1. Name of primary sponsor, co-sponsor(s) and/or mentor(s).
    
2. Title of project.
    
3. Two 200-word abstracts--one scientific/technical and one for public/lay audience.

1. Narrative--no more than two pages addressing:
    
• The specific aims, scope and significance of the proposed research plan and of the training program environment indicating why it qualifies as novel and truly interdisciplinary.
   
• The methods of approach and expected results and accomplishments for the nominated trainee.
   
• the expected outcomes of the training grant to the interdisciplinary field in general.
  
  (references may be submitted on a separate additional page.)

1. Three-page Biographical sketches (NIH style) of primary sponsor, co-sponsor(s) and/or mentor(s)
    
2. Nomination form with relevent information of trainee candidate (optional at pre-proposal stage to allow for recruitment efforts; mandatory if invited to submit full proposal.)

1. Signature page. (Mailed separately. Due 10/31/05.)

IV. Faculty Sponsor(s)

Outstanding members of the University of California (UC) and the UC-administered national laboratories' scientific research community working at the interface of the disciplines as described above will be known as the Faculty Sponsor(s). Faculty Sponsors must have Principle Investigator status at the University of California.

Normally, two Faculty Sponsors from complementary disciplines will provide the required training for depth and breadth, and may nominate a candidate. (Note: at the pre-proposal stage, the nomination of a candidate is optional. However, a trainee candidate must be nominated in the full proposal submission.) One of the two faculty sponsors will be designated as the primary sponsor, the other as co-sponsor.

The primary sponsor provides major oversight, training and administration of the training grant, and coordinates the training for the selected trainee. Thisrole and the relationship with other sponsor/mentor(s) must be fully developed and explained in the narrative of the full proposal. The primary sponsor will be the administrative contact for the GREAT program, and his/her department will administer the funds.

We will accept nominations from a two or three-Faculty Sponsor team or from a single Faculty Sponsor who demonstrates sufficient depth and breadth of expertise across disciplines. For a single Faculty Sponsor, a mentor or mentors--who will have less responsibility than a co-sponsor--is required to satisfy the requisite cross-disciplinary exposure. Co-sponsor(s) and/or mentor(s) must demonstrate interest by providing a biographical sketch and signature on the signature page of the pre-proposal.

Faculty Sponsor(s) must:

• Demonstrate that they provide a training environment that satisfies the leading-edge, interdisciplinary requirements of the program.
   
• Be actively engaged in the planning, execution and supervision of the proposed research.
   
• Encourage the trainee to report the results of the research in scientific journals and meetings where the University of California Graduate Research and Education in Adaptive bio-Technology (GREAT) Training Program support is acknowledged.

V. Research areas identified as priorities for 2006-2007 funding

To ensure an environment for non-traditional, cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary training, we are seeking proposals from investigators who display the greatest expertise and creativity working at the interface of complementary disciplines. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, such disciplines as:

• nanotechnology as it applies to the life sciences
   
• bio-computing
   
• biotic/abiotic hybrid electronics (e.g. integration of physical chemistry, electrical engineering and bio-molecules in novel biosensors)
   
• bio-materials
   
• tissue engineering (e.g. organ/machine interfaces, therapeutic-cell delivery though medical microdevices)
   
• fuel cells
   
• bio-devices/MEMS
   
• GRID computing in bioinformatics and molecular modeling
   
• nanoscale bio-imaging
   
• computation in the cognitive sciences

VI. Who are eligible GREAT nominees?

Graduate students of the University of California system pursuing research leading to an advanced degree may be nominated for a graduate trainee under the following criteria:

• Current standing as a graduate student of the University of California at the time of the award commencement regardless of year of study.
   
• Nominated trainee and the trainee's UC Faculty Sponsor(s) concur with the trainee's research and training program.
   
• Nominated trainee and the trainee's UC Faculty Sponsor(s) agree with the terms and conditions of the GREAT Program.

Please note: at this pre-proposal stage, the nomination of a candidate is optional. However, a trainee candidate must be nominated in the full proposal submission.

VII. Award Criteria

The Executive Committee of the University of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program reviews all pre-proposals (and full proposals), and makes the awards.

The primary criteria used to evaluate the proposals are:

• The quality of the research proposal (importance of the problem, originality of approach, appropriateness of techniques and clarity of presentation.)
   
• The qualifications, experience and productivity of both the Faculty Sponsor(s) and if nominated, the candidate.
   
• The quality of the training provided by the research environment in which the proposed research is to be conducted and its potential for broadening and strengthening the nominee's ability to conduct innovative and substantive research of a truly multidisciplinary nature.
   
• provision of a training environment that better prepares students for careers in evolving interdisciplinary fields in industry, academia and government.
   
• Demonstration of potential positive impact of the project on the biotechnology industry.
   
• If invited to submit a full proposal, an additional criterion will be the demonstration of intent to seek matching funds. (To maximize the use of BREP GREAT funds, we are looking for ways to leverage our funding.)

VIII. General award information

• Proposals should request trainee compensation, benefits, travel and trainee-related expenses. Total financial support from the GREAT Program will not exceed $50,000 per year. This amount would include:
   
• $27,500 towards stipend.
   
• Trainee allowance of $10,000 for training related expenses.
   
• Faculty Sponsor(s) allowance of $12,500 that can be applied at the Faculty Sponsors' discretion to training-related expenses.
   
• Scientific and budget reports must be presented and justified annually.
   
• Direct transfer of funds from one trainee to another is not permitted. Should the trainee fail to accept the award, leave the university, change research direction, conduct research not approved by the Faculty Sponsor or the GREAT Program's executive committee, the unexpended funds will be returned to the University of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program Office, which administers the GREAT Program. If the Faculty Sponsor(s) are able to identify another candidate, they will have the opportunity to reapply to the GREAT Program's executive committee for reconsideration of a new nominee.
   
• There will be one annual two-day early-spring retreat of trainees, Faculty Sponsor(s), and a few selected outside scientists including the GREAT Program's executive committee. The retreat's purpose is to provide a forum for semiformal presentation of ongoing and proposed research by the trainees before their peers and to allow evaluation by the GREAT Program's executive committee of their progress and potential. It is also designed to encourage free interactions between all the participants. Trainees are required to attend the annual GREAT Program retreat designed to foster collaboration and interaction among scientists working in cross-disciplinary fields relevant to biotechnology. The retreat will be held in a pleasant, secluded location, at minimum cost to the participants.
   
• The GREAT Program training grants are granted for a two-year term with the second year of funding contingent upon satisfactory first-year scientific progress report, budget reports and program funding.
   
• Any substantive changes in the project, such as changes in budget allocations, location, Faculty Sponsor(s), project period, major project scope etc., require approval of the GREAT Program's executive committee. The University of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program Office should be notified of any potential changes as soon as possible.

IX. Overview of the GREAT pre and full proposal process

AWARD PERIOD:     July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008

Each University of California campus and University of California-administered National Laboratory is requested to inform appropriate administrators, faculty, and staff about this solicitation.

For assistance, please contact the University Of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program, home of the GREAT Program at the address listed below or call (530) 752-8237.

Pre-proposals must be submitted on-line by Oct. 25th. The pre-proposal signature page must be mailed separately and must arrive by October 31, 2005. Mail to:

GREAT Program
University Of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program
University of California
Attn: Grant Administrator
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact: (530) 752-8237 or ucbrep@ucdavis.edu