Brief Description:

Description:

The purpose of the Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant Program is to provide start-up money for new research projects and innovative programs, especially those of junior faculty, that have the potential of becoming competitive for an NIH grant or other external funding sources. The goal is to have initial efforts succeed in opening future opportunities for research, collaboration and scientific advancement in the field of neuroscience. Harvard University, as one institution, may nominate two (2) proposals for this opportunity.The BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants. HMS applicants should work with the HMS Foundation Funds office as the first tier of the internal application process.

The Brain Research Foundation anticipates the Seed Grant Program will fund a total of $800,000 in grants. Each total award is limited to $80,000 (direct costs) for a two year grant period from the specified dates only (January 2015-December 2017). Grant payment is $40,000 per year.

Funding Preferences:
1) Funding is to be directed at pilot research projects that are both innovative and will likely lead to successful grant applications to NIH and other public and private funding entities.
2) Assistant Professor- Junior faculty with a new research project that will generate pilot data that will lead to RO1 funding or a comparable outside grant will be first priority
3) Associate Professor- Faculty who are pursuing new research directions. Must explain how the project is a new research direction. Must provide abstract for current grant(s). (Note: A new technique is not considered a new direction unless it pertains to a different area of study.)

Application Information:

Eligible applicants are asked to submit the following:

A two page (max) research proposal. Related graphics may be placed on a blank third page

A current CV (no preferred format)

A budget (one page max) describing how the award funds would be used. The budget may be in table or narrative form and does not need to follow an established template. If, after internal review, more information or clarification is needed, follow up will not affect the standing of an otherwise completed and timely submission

A letter of nomination from a Department Chair or Center Director

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible, PI must a full time Assistant or Associate Professor, working in the area of studies of brain function. This includes molecular and clinical neuroscience as well as studies of neural, sensory, motor, cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning in health and disease.

Additional Information, Related Websites, and Proxy Instructions:

Additional information is available on the Brain Research Foundation website.

Applicants with questions about the preparation of applications are asked to contact the relevant Research Administration or Sponsored Programs professional at their school.

Questions about the Harvard University Funding Portal can be directed to Autumn_Bennett@harvard.edu

Search Filters:

Institution

Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Graduate School of Design
Graduate School of Education
Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Law School
Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM)
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Harvard School of Public Health

Position

Associate Professor

Type of Competition

Limited Submission

Discipline

Basic Science
Life Science
Multidisciplinary
Other

Type of Award

Early Career
Research