NIH Awards to Support Research on the Biology of Aging in Invertebrates (R01)

WHAT:  Limited Submission Proposal for the NIH Awards to Support Research on the Biology of Aging in Invertebrates (R01)

WHO:  Texas A&M University faculty, including Agriculture, Engineering and TTI personnel.

WHY:  Applicants may request up to, but not more than, $2500,000 in direct costs per year for a maximum of five years.

WHEN:  Internal proposal deadline of August 10, 2009.

HOW:  Faculty should submit internal proposal to osppc@tamu.edu  for review by the internal selection committee.   

THE FINE PRINT:

The funding agency, NIH, has limited the number of proposals to one per institution.

BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:  The NIH Awards to Support Research on the Biology of Aging in Invertebrates (R01) Program invites applications that focus on the identification and development of new invertebrate models for pursuing biology of aging research.  Applications should focus on the identification, development and characterization of new invertebrate models that have short lifespans, such as planaria, hydra, rotifers and tunicates.  In addition, NIH encourages applications that focus on the characterization of novel models for aging research utilizing molecular, genetic, cellular or physiological tools and approaches to identify genes involved in longevity, senescence and cellular pathways in tissue homeostasis during aging.  Conversely, applications that propose work on invertebrate models such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster or yeast, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae will be considered non-responsive.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:  characterization of aging in models new to the aging research field, including but not limited to planaria, hydra, rotifers and chordates.  These models should have features such as well-characterized life histories, the potential for genetic manipulation and the ability to mass culture.  A second area of interest is for models to be amenable to utilize modern research tools such as the application of genetic and molecular tools and methodologies, including RNAi and transgenic approaches, to investigate cellular and genetic pathways influencing life history and longevity.

A third area of interest is the investigation of the role of reproductive mode (asexual and sexual) of transmission on cellular and molecular mechanisms of senescence in these models.  A fourth area of interest is the investigation of the cellular, molecular and physiological mechanisms of tissue aging and homeostasis in these novel invertebrate models, including the influence of cellular regeneration on aging and senescence.  Applicants may request up to, but not more than, $250,000 in direct costs per year for a maximum of five years.

More information can be found at:

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-10-004.html           

Internal Selection Procedures and Deadlines

August 7, 2009:  Deadline for an email of intent, including the names of the PI and co-PIs, title of internal proposal and a 1-3 sentence description of the project.  Send email of intent to osppc@tamu.edu     

August 10, 2009: Deadline to obtain signatures of approval from your department head and college dean to submit an internal proposal to the Research Policy and Development Support Office for review by the internal selection committee.  The internal proposal should include:

• An executive summary, up to three pages, based on the proposal description as outlined in the NIH program announcement;
• Summary budget;
• Project and Management Plans (including team members)

The form for completing the internal proposal is here. 

This completed form should be submitted electronically to osppc@tamu.edu for review by the internal selection committee.

*Once your internal proposal has been received with all of the necessary signatures, you will receive an email indicating it will be reviewed by the internal selection committee.  If you do not receive the confirmation email, please call 5-1812.*

Please read the RFP carefully for specific requirements of the program at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-10-004.html      

Selection of a proposal will be based on NIH guidelines.  The needs of the university’s reinvestment plan will also be taken into account. 

During the selection process, the internal selection committee may contact departments and colleges for their opinions and commitments.  They may also request additional information from PIs.

August 21, 2009: The Internal Selection Committee will notify PIs of the result of the internal competition.

September 30, 2009: Deadline for optional, but recommended, letter of intent to NIH.

October 30, 2009:  Deadline for full proposal.