Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA)

Purpose

The purpose of the KBRIN-AREA grant program is to provide support to promising junior investigators at the state colleges and universities to establish a research program that is competitive for NIH funding. In addition to providing funds for research support, the program includes (requires) release time from teaching, training and mentoring in NIH proposal development, and the development of collaborative relationship with a senior scientist (mentor).

Eligibility:

• All tenure-track and tenured faculty at Kentucky Colleges and Universities eligible for NIH R15 funding may apply.
• Applicants must have an active research agenda and be motivated to obtain independent funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Applicants must contact an NIH institute Program Officer and provide a statement confirming that the research topic area is potentially fundable by an NIH institute or center.
• First time applicants must have attended a KBRIN NIH R15 grant writing workshop held annually (November) at the Kentucky Academy of Science meeting. If impossible, then applicants must commit to attend the workshop within the first year of the award.
• Applicants must identify a senior investigator to serve as mentor/collaborator. In addition to research expertise in the appropriate field, the mentor should have successful NIH granting writing experience and be willing to review and critique grant proposals, manuscripts, etc., prior to submission. While in-state collaborations (U of L, UK) are encouraged,  out-of- state mentors are acceptable when justified by research expertise and training. A biosketch and letter of support from the identified mentor is required.

Conditions:

• Institutions must grant the PI release time from teaching (at least 25%) for the duration of the award as cost-share.
• Applicants must submit an NIH-Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA, R15; http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-070.html ) grant proposal prior to the conclusion of each grant period (annually for a two-year grant).
• Applicants are expected to publish one research manuscript per year.

Awards:

• Requests for funding may include expenses for supplies, equipment, use of core facilities, travel costs, summer salary, and  undergraduate research assistants.
• Initial awards will be limited to a maximum of $25,000 per year for up to two years ($50,000 total; contingent upon research progress and continued NIH funding of the parent grant).
• A facilities and administrative (F&A) cost up to a maximum of $1000 will be provided in addition to direct costs.
• Beyond the initial two-year award, renewal applications for an additional year of funding will be considered from individuals who have met the conditions of the grant and can demonstrate substantial progress in obtaining independent NIH funding.