Request for Applications
HMI Novonesis Pilot Grants
Research Incubator for Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Synbiotics - Phase I
The HMI Novonesis Pilot Grant mechanism will provide up to $50,000 each to initiate five (5) pioneering research projects that investigate the effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) and synbiotics on immunity and inflammation.
The goal of Phase I is to create a research consortium aimed at setting a new standard for collaboration and accelerating discoveries. Therefore, each project is meant to stand alone, but all projects together are meant to be interconnected, complement each other, and generate synergy.
Project applications will be reviewed and selected based on scientific merit, innovation, overall feasibility, the team's scientific and collaborative track record, potential to complement and synergize with other submitted and selected projects to form a consortium, and the potential for further research exploration and thus future intra- and extramural funding.
Request for applications CLOSED on May 15, 2024, 11:59 pm San Diego time.
Funding period: July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025.
Available Funds and Other Resources
In Phase I, a total of $250,000 will be available for five pilot grants of up to $50,000 each. Funds may be spent on salary support, purchase of supplies, usage of core services, etc. Funds may not be used to cover indirect costs or other project-unrelated expenses. An estimated budget outline must be submitted as part of the application package.
In addition, Novonesis will provide HMOs and probiotics in-kind under an already pre-negotiated MTA so that all projects use the same materials and can begin immediately.
Eligibility
UC San Diego faculty who are eligible to serve as Principal Investigators may apply. UC San Diego Postdoctoral Trainees, Medical Fellows, and Residents are also encouraged to apply, but need to be sponsored by a UC San Diego faculty member.
Application Process
Pre-application incubator session
HMI will organize at least one pre-application incubator session for potential applicants to learn more about the intent of the program and pilot grants and to identify potential complementary or synergistic interests among applicants, which will be critical for creating the consortium.
The pre-application incubator session was hosted April 12, 2024, 8-9 am Pacific Time.
Application package:
Applicants must submit a complete application package that includes
- Application form
- Budget form
- Biosketch(es)
- Application checklist
Forms and instructions are available upon request. Please email HMI to request the application package.
Request for applications CLOSED on May 15, 2024, 11:59 pm San Diego time.
Review Process
The HMI Director forms a review committee of 3-4 UC San Diego faculty members, with the possibility of recruiting more ad hoc reviewers from UC San Diego for applications requiring additional areas of expertise. At least one member of the Novonesis team will join the review committee.
Applications will be reviewed and scored based on the NIH scoring system, but with slight modifications to also evaluate project interconnectiveness.
Consortium
Grantees will form a consortium that will meet regularly to share new findings and discuss how to best leverage generated results and combined resources towards Phase II. HMI will serve as backbone support, calling regular meetings, and potentially also connecting grantees with other UC San Diego investigators and resources.
Reporting
Each grantee will be asked to provide a summary report no later than 30 days after the funding period ends. Grantees are expected to present their final results to the HMI Director and committee, Novonesis team members, and all other grantees at the end of the funding period. Together, grantees, HMI and Novonesis will discuss strategies to obtain future intra- and extramural funding for Phase II of the consortium. Grantees may also be invited to present their research findings at the annual HMI symposium.
Acknowledgements
Grantees are expected to publish their findings in scholarly peer-reviewed journals and present their research at professional meetings. All publications and presentations resulting from research funded by this pilot grant mechanism must cite the Research Incubator as a contributing source of support. Publications shall include the following wording: “The project was funded [in part] by a pilot grant made available through the UC San Diego Human Milk Institute / Novonesis Research Incubator partnership."
