Minnesota Obesity Center

2006 Call for Proposal

Purpose:

This call for proposals solicits applications for research grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per year for up to two years to conduct research related to obesity.

The funding for obesity research projects described here comes from three different sources and is being organized by the Obesity Consortium of Minnesota. The Obesity Consortium of Minnesota was established to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration and foster cooperation in obesity research, education, and outreach efforts at the University of Minnesota. The Consortium links three obesity centers at the University, the Obesity Prevention Center (an AHC Center), the Minnesota Obesity Center (an NIDDK funded Center grant), and the Center for Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (an NCI funded Center grant).

A pilot research program exists within each of the obesity centers. The submission and review of pilot grant proposals within the obesity centers will be combined beginning in Fall 2006.

For more information about the specific aims of each obesity center and descriptions of previously funded grants, go to:

 

Funds Available:

Small grants: Up to 7 pilot grants will be awarded for projects with a maximum total cost of $10,000 per year for one year. Small projects must focus on obesity prevention and obesity-related behaviors with human subjects. Priority will be given to internal University of Minnesota investigators.

Large grants: Up to 6 pilot grants will be awarded for projects with a maximum total cost between $20,000 and $50,000 per year for up to 2 years of funding. Project funding for the second year is dependent upon Centers receiving renewed funding and satisfactory performance in the first year of funding. Large projects can have a behavioral or biological focus.


Who is Eligible:

  1. Junior Investigators beginning their research career focusing on obesity, or
  2. Senior Investigators for whom obesity research is a change of direction. Grant submissions must involve a multidisciplinary team of at least two investigators, preferably from different departments and/or organizations. Collaborations are preferred.

 

Proposal requirements:

  • Arial font, 11 point, 0.5" margins
  • Face page (pdf)
  • Abstract
  • Research Plan (not to exceed 2 pages)
    • Statement of Hypothesis and Specific Aims
    • Background, Significance, and Rationale
    • Preliminary Results (if applicable)
    • Research Design and Methods
    • Optional expanded description of methods (not to exceed 1 added page)
  • Budget and justification for the entire proposed period of support by year.
  • Biosketch for the Principal Investigator on standard NIH PHS398 forms
  • Letters of support from collaborating investigators
  • References (need not be included within 2-3 page limit)

Budgetary Restrictions:

Salary support for Principal Investigators should be limited to 10% effort. Funds for secretarial support, travel, publications, service contracts, and equipment are not allowed. Budgets should include direct costs only. The ability to provide indirect costs will depend on the policies of the funding sources.

Proposal Review:

The Review Committee will be composed of experts from outside the University of Minnesota and internal Investigators. The NIH scoring scale will be utilized as outlined:

  • 1.0 - 1.5 Outstanding
  • 1.5 - 2.0 Excellent
  • 2.0 - 2.5 Very Good
  • 2.5 - 3.5 Good
  • 3.5 - 5.0 Acceptable

A second level of review may be required for projects recommended for funding through the TREC Center.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2006.

Small grants may continue to be reviewed throughout the year, as funds remain available.

Funding Date: October 1, 2006

 

Requirements if Funded:

Awardees will be expected to present their work at Center meetings periodically during the funding period and prepare annual progress reports.

 

Submit completed application electronically to umopc@epi.umn.edu.

For questions, contact the Obesity Prevention Center at umopc@epi.umn.edu or
612-625-6200.