Instructions

A. Contents

Applications must include the following information:

1. A completed "Application for Developmental Funds" cover sheet.
   
2. An abstract describing the research (500 words or less).
   
3. An NIH-format biosketch for all key personnel listed. The NIH biosketch format must include other support information such as current and pending support, percent of effort, grant number, title, and total project beginning and ending dates.
   
4. A Research plan (maximum 4 pages excluding references) which includes:
   
   
   • Specific aims (1/2 page)
     
   • Background and significance (1/2 – 1 page)
     
   • Preliminary data (1/2 – 1 page)
     
   • Experimental design and methods (2 pages), which should include an appropriate analytical program for the proposal as well as a datamanagment plan, if appropriate.
     
   • References
     

You are encouraged to contact the Core Directors when designing your study. They can provide insight on how best to utilize the CFAR Core Services within your project. Please see description of CFAR programs on the CFAR website for Core Directors and core descriptions.

5. If applying for an Initial HIV/AIDS research award or pilot project, each applicant must have a primary mentor, in the form of a senior colleague who is currently supported by one or more NIH R01, P01, or U01 research grants. In addition, the mentor must be someone who has no financial responsibility for the applicant. The application must include the mentor's NIH-form biosketch with research support listed, and a letter of support, which indicates that the mentor fully accepts the time commitments essential to the monitoring process.
   
6. Statement of how the awarding of the developmental grant will enhance chances for outside funding. For established investigators, please provide an additional statement addressing how the CFAR developmental application avoids duplication of any current NIH funded research.
   
7. Budget/Justification page (use the attached form or the PHS398 form 4). Projects are funded for a maximum of 12 months.
   
8. A letter of support from Service, Division or Department Chief or Chair. Letters should be addressed to: John Coffin, Ph.D., Developmental Core Director, c/o Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research, 164 Summit Avenue, CFAR Building, Room 135, Providence, RI 02906.
   
9. International Applications: If your project involves a foreign component or takes place in a foreign institution, in addition to those documents noted above, please include a letter of collaboration from the foreign institute and a current IRB approval letter for the proposed project. Projects that involve human subjects research at foreign sites must have current IRB approval from those sites before the application can be reviewed.

B. Format

1. Use attached cover sheet ("Application for Developmental Funding"), and either the budget/justification page ("Budget for Developmental Funding Project") or the PHS398 form page 4. Additional requested information should be submitted on white paper.
   
2. Minimum margins for additional text pages are 1 inch on all sides. Minimum font size throughout the application is 11 point.
   
3. Number pages consecutively at the bottom. Include applicant's name at the top right hand corner on all but cover page.
   
4. Submit one original and three complete copies of the application to:
   
   Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research
   The Miriam Hospital
   164 Summit Avenue
   CFAR/RISE Building, Room 134
   Providence, RI 02906
   
   
5. In addition to the original and three copies of the application, a complete electronic copy should be sent by e-mail to the CFAR Administrator at: vgodleski@lifespan.org.
   
6. For additional information please contact Vicki C.Godleski, CFAR Administrator, at (401) 793-4068 or via email at vgodleski@lifespan.org.

CFAR Developmental Award Applications are reviewed twice a year and applications are accepted on April 1st and October 1st. You may contact the CFAR Administrator with any questions regarding the submission of an application or to check on the status of your submitted application.