Funding Opportunities Clinical Research Top Launchpad Funding Initiative Release Date: January 1, 2021 Updated: April 1, 2021 Overview Overview The primary goal of this new initiative is to provide a more nimble and efficient platform for investigators to launch innovative and impactful research projects. That is, rather than a static, once a year distribution of funds, Launchpad will implement a rolling submissions strategy that allows investigators to more rapidly submit ideas on an ongoing basis to be reviewed for potential funding. Given the limited funds available, the Launchpad Review Committee will score and assign priority to projects that demonstrate any of the following: A trajectory toward future funding (industry, foundation, state or federal) and indirect cost recovery of at least 30% Articulation of the project's potential impact on patients and/or the community, differentiating UF in the competitive healthcare marketplace Ability to generate Intellectual Property Alignment with the institutional priority areas of Cancer, Acute Critical Care, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Aging or Incorporation of the institutional themes of health equity, precision medicine and population health Special consideration may also be given to projects that include Gainesville collaborations. Eligibility Early and mid-career College of Medicine–Jacksonville faculty are eligible to apply Must not have previously received research funding at the R01 or similar level Must have support from their department chair to carry out the study Award Information Awards include funding of up to $25,000 in direct costs for up to 1 year. A second year of funding may be awarded based on receipt of a satisfactory progress report. Awards are contingent upon receiving IRB approval (when applicable) within 60 days of award notification. Final decisions may include funding only a portion of the proposed research project. For projects with an anticipated budget exceeding $25,000, email Maribel Ciampitti for special consideration prior to applying. Unallowable Costs: Faculty salary and fringe, travel. Allowable Costs: Direct costs that support the advancement of the proposed research project. This can include salary for support staff (study coordinators, biostatisticians, etc.) and materials that are key to project success. Application Timeline Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Submissions will be reviewed on or around the 15th of each month. Applications must be received by the 1st of the month to be considered during that month. Applications will be scored by the Launchpad Review Committee and categorized as recommend not funded, recommend to hold for when funds become available and recommend funded. Final decisions for funding status and amount will be made by the Senior Associate Dean for Research and the Dean of the College of Medicine. No formal reviewer comments will be provided; however, feedback will be given to investigators on the decision. Application Requirements Specific Aims: In 1 page, describe the aims of the study. This document should include the hypotheses to be tested and the short and long-term objectives for the study. For detailed instructions on developing a Specific Aims document, refer to this article. Completed Protocol: For studies involving human subjects a completed IRB protocol must be submitted with the proposal. The protocol does not need to be IRB approved at the time of submission. For help developing a protocol, you can submit a request to the ORA portal for support. It is highly recommended that investigators use the portal to request a consultation from the Center for Data Solutions on study design, analytics and power analysis. It is also strongly recommended that IRB protocols be sent to Dr. Wajeeh Bajwa for review prior to submitting to the Launchpad Funding Initiative. Research Trajectory Statement: In 1 page, concisely describe: Innovation and Impact: Describe why this project is innovative and how the study will impact patients, the clinic, or the community. Investigator Qualifications: Describe your expertise/experience in this area and why you are uniquely capable of carrying out the study. Future Directions: Describe your long-term goals for this study. List any plans for clinical implementation, grant submissions, and/or industry studies. Budget: Describe and justify the amount requesting. Only fully-complete applications will be considered. Application materials should be sent as a pdf or word document to Maribel Ciampitti. Questions For any questions, please reach out to Maribel Ciampitti.