Commonwealth Health Research Board [CHRB]

Highlights of the FY 2016/2017 Grant Guidelines

effective July 1, 2015 for grants to be awarded July 1,

2016This PowerPoint document provides highlights of the CHRB Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions. More detailed instructions and guidance is provided in the CHRB Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions’ document. http://www.chrb.org/linked_documents/Grant_Guidelines.pdf

• The Commonwealth Health Research Board [CHRB] was created by Virginia Code § 23-278 to provide financial support for research efforts having the potential of maximizing human health benefits for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

• Research efforts eligible for support shall include traditional medical and biomedical research relating to the causes and cures of diseases, as well as research related to health services and the delivery of health care.

Commonwealth Health Research Board [CHRB]

Introduction

Calendar of Key Dates

The CHRB encourages research projects and investigators that involve factors, including but not

limited to the following: Research that maximizes human health benefits for the

citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia Principal Investigators who are submitting Concept Papers

to the CHRB for the first time Principal Investigators who are Junior faculty/investigators Undergraduate Student involvement Innovative Projects Bridge funding necessary to obtain preliminary data which

may be used to obtain funding from other sources Collaboration among two or more institutions or

organizations Leveraging additional funding support from federal or

nonprofit organizations

CHRB Research Projects

Calendar of Key Dates

Proposed CHRB research projects must also: Be in compliance with CHRB Grant Guidelines

and Application Instructions and CHRB Policies and Procedures

Score well concerning the scientific review criteria: Significance, Approach, Innovation; Experience and Qualifications of Research Team; and Unique Virginia Considerations, Collaborations and Leverage.

[Double weight is given to the Approach criteria.]

CHRB Research Projects

Calendar of Key Dates

The CHRB considers less favorably research proposals submitted by the following:

Principal Investigators with multiple funding awards, unless the CHRB submission is in a new area of research

Emeritus Professors

CHRB Research Projects

Calendar of Key DatesEntities Eligible for CHRB Grant Funding

The following entities may apply for a CHRB grant:

• State-supported Virginia institutions of higher education;

• Agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia

• Nonprofit organizations exempt from income taxation pursuant to § 501 c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and located in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Entities Eligible for

CHRB Grant Funding

• For the FY 2016/2017 CHRB competition, applicants may request funding to support projects over either a one-year or two-year period.

• The maximum amount of a one-year award is $100,000. The maximum amount for a two-year award is $200,000. However, no more than $100,000 is provided in either the first or second year.

• The number of one-year and two-year awards the CHRB anticipates funding, is dependent upon the funds available, and the number and merit of proposals received and reviewed.

Calendar of Key Dates

Key Dates Due Dates

Concept Paper Submissions

September 17, 2015 [This is a change from previous years’ submission

deadlines.]

Full Proposal Submissions

February 4, 2016

Presentations to CHRB May 12, 2016

Grant Awards July 1, 2016

Calendar of Key Dates for Grant Applicants

Step One: Concept Paper

Submission• All applicants seeking CHRB grant

support must submit a Concept Paper. • The CHRB reviews only Concept Papers

submitted in compliance with the CHRB’s Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions and Policies and Procedures.

• For institutions of higher education, all Concept Papers must be submitted to the Applicant Institution’s Office of Sponsored Programs or Office of Grants Research for institutional review and approval, prior to being submitted to the CHRB.

• For organizations other than institutions of higher education, all Concept Papers must be submitted to the Applicant Organization’s Office of Sponsored Programs or Office of Research for internal review and approval, prior to being submitted to the CHRB.

Due: September 17, 2015

Step Two: Full Proposal Submission • Applicants, whose Concept

Papers appear to meet CHRB purposes and goals and which are judged to merit further consideration, are asked to submit Full Proposals.

• Applicants whom the Board has invited to develop a Full Proposal may submit a Full Proposal to the Board.

• An invitation to submit a Full Proposal or make a presentation [Step Three] does not guarantee grant funding.

Due: February 4, 2016

Step Three: Full Proposal

Presentation to the CHRB

Date: May 12, 2016

The CHRB invites finalists, from among individuals who submitted a Full Proposal, and are judged to be most competitive, and to merit further consideration, to make a presentation to the Board.

The PI submitting the proposal must make the oral presentation to the CHRB and address questions on the date set forth by the CHRB.

Presentations, including questions from the Board members, and responses are restricted to 15 minutes. The presentation should elaborate on the information contained in the Full Proposal. The Principal Investigator [PI] should briefly discuss success of past research relevant to the pending proposal.

No alternate dates or presenter substitutions are permitted. Co-Investigators are not allowed to make the presentation in place of the PI. However, Co-Investigators may accompany the PI to the presentation and respond to questions during the question and answer period.

The CHRB makes final determinations concerning which of the presenters will receive a CHRB award after the application and review processes are completed.

Calendar of Key DatesGrant Scientific Review Criteria

Concept Papers and Full Proposals are reviewed in accordance with the following

review criteria:

SignificanceApproach [double weight is given to the Approach

criteria]

InnovationExperience and Qualifications of Research

TeamUnique Virginia Considerations,

Collaborations and Leverage

Calendar of Key DatesGrant Scientific Review Criteria[continued]Significance:

Does the research address an important problem?

If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific or other knowledge be advanced?

What will be the impact of this research on the concepts, methods, or practices in the related field?

Calendar of Key DatesGrant Scientific Review Criteria[continued]Approach:

[Double weight is given to the Approach criteria]

Are the conceptual framework, design, methods and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project?

The Board supports both new research efforts and the expansion or continuation of existing research efforts.

Calendar of Key DatesGrant Scientific Review Criteria[continued]Innovation:

Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods?

Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or

develop new methodologies or technologies?

Calendar of Key DatesGrant Scientific Review Criteria[continued]Experience and Qualifications of Research

Team: Does the Principal Investigator have the proper training,

experience and appropriate percentage of time designated to direct and manage the project?

Has the Principal Investigator conducted research related to the project?

What will each project participant contribute to the project? Is the research team qualified through training and experience to

conduct this research? Has the Principal Investigator published any successfully-

completed or ongoing research which relates to this proposal?

Calendar of Key DatesGrant Scientific Review Criteria[continued]Unique Virginia Considerations, Collaborations and

Leverage:

What is the potential of maximizing human health benefits for Virginia citizens?

Are there unique Virginia research resources or facilities to be utilized?

Will the initiative employ useful collaborative arrangements among two or more institutions of higher education or other research organizations?

How will funding provided by the CHRB be used to leverage additional support from other federal or private organizations? The Board gives priority to those research efforts for which CHRB support can be leveraged to foster contributions from federal agencies or other entities.

Will there be opportunities for undergraduate students at small colleges to participate in the research?

Calendar of Key Dates

Agenda Dates

CHRB 2016/2017 Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions and Policies and Procedures are posted

on the CHRB website.

July 1, 2015

Concept Paper Submissions due September 17, 2015

CHRB meets to review recommendations for those Concept Papers submitted to be developed into Full

Proposals.

December 10, 2015

Full Proposal Submissions due February 4, 2016

CHRB meets to review recommendations for those Full Proposals submitted that will be presented to

the Board.

April 7, 2016

CHRB meets to hear presentations from grant finalists and make decisions about which proposals it

will fund for 2016/2017.

May 12, 2016

Grant Awards July 1, 2016

Key Dates for 2016/2017 CHRB Grant Process

Calendar of Key DatesConcept Paper and

Full Proposal Submissions

• Concept Papers and Full Proposals will receive an Administrative Review for Compliance with CHRB’s Policies and Procedures effective July 1, 2015 and the CHRB’s Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions.

• Principal Investigators must examine submissions carefully to ensure that all required information requested by the Board has been provided and that the Concept Paper or Full Proposal complies with the CHRB’s Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions and the CHRB’s Policies and Procedures effective July 1, 2015.

Calendar of Key DatesConcept Paper Submission

Requirements Due Date: Thursday, September 17, 2015

by 4:00 pm• The CHRB accepts not more than 10 Concept Papers from a

single agency, non-profit organization, or institution of higher education per funding cycle.

• A Principal Investigator applying for funding may submit not more than one Concept Paper per funding cycle.

• There is a specific submission format for the Cover Page, Scientific Project Summary, Concept Paper Research Plan and attachments. See page 9 in the Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions for more detail.

• Times New Roman 12 point font style must be used for the Concept Paper research plan.

• The Cover Page requires handwritten, original signatures in blue ink; automated word signatures are not acceptable.

• The Scientific Project Summary must be written in manner which is comprehensive to a lay audience and can be no

more than 150 words in length.

Calendar of Key DatesFull Proposal Submission

Requirements Due Date: Thursday, February 4,

2016by 4:00 pm• There is a specific submission format for the Cover Page, Scientific

Project Summary, Concept Paper Research Plan and attachments. See page 9 in the Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions for more detail.

• Times New Roman 12 point font style must be used for the Full Proposal research plan.

• The Cover Page requires handwritten, original signatures in in blue ink; automated word signatures are not acceptable.

• The Scientific Project Summary must be written in manner which is comprehensive to a lay audience and be no more than 150 words in length.• The Full Proposal is developed so that it, and the required

attachments, fully explain the proposed research project. Do not reference the previously submitted Concept Paper to explain aspects of the project.

Calendar of Key Dates

Substantive Changes:

Unallowable substantive changes between the Concept Paper and Full Proposal are as follows. No changes may be made between the

Concept Paper and Full Proposal regarding the:

Scope of the proposed projectObjectivesAnticipated outcomes identified in the Concept PaperThe Principal Investigator’s identify or proposed percentage of effortPercentage of effort for specific project participants Major equipment purchasesRequests for two years of funding in the Full Proposal if the Concept Paper only requested one year of funding

Substantive and Nonsubstantive Changes between the Concept Paper and Full Proposal

Submissions:

Calendar of Key DatesNonsubstantive Changes:

Allowable nonsubstantive changes between the Concept Paper and Full Proposal which may be permitted, provided an explanation and justification

are provided to the satisfaction of the CHRB.

•Minor changes to the procedures or methods described in the Concept Paper•Citation of new publications in the literature concerning the methodology since the submission of the Concept Paper. •Minor budgetary changes, such as the cost of animals, equipment and supplies if no programmatic changes will result and additional funds for increased effort by the PI are not requested. However, the requested funds cannot exceed the $100,000 per year limit and the Applicant Institution or Organization is responsible for providing 33% match of the requested CHRB funds for each year for which funds are requested.•Percentage of effort for specific project if change is for less than 5% in percentage of effort [e.g. 35% to 30% effort] is allowable only for research participants other than Principal Investigator [PI].•Salary requests for the research participants if change is for less than 5% in percentage of effort [e.g. 35% to 30% effort] and allowable only for research participants other than PI.•Substitution of comparably-qualified persons [not including the PI] at comparable percentage of effort and duties is acceptable; however adding additional individuals who are not substitutes would not be allowed.

Substantive and Nonsubstantive Changes between the Concept Paper and Full Proposal

Submissions:[continued]

Calendar of Key Dates

Not including a research component for the proposal.

Requesting funding to support the research of a graduate student’s masters or doctoral thesis.

Not providing the approximate number of animals, human subjects, or tissue samples to be used in the study.

Not providing “Current Funding” and “Pending Funding” for all CHRB professional project participants, including the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, Collaborators, Consultants, Post Doctoral participants and Subcontractors.

Omission of required information on Attachment 1: Budget Forms [CHRB and Matching Funds form and Matching Funds Source form]

Making major equipment requests or requests for fabrication of equipment.

Noncompliance with Page and Length format e.g. exceeding page limitations or single spaced submission.

Requesting funds for meeting or conference travel.

Not listing all CHRB professional project participants, including the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, Collaborators, Consultants, Postdoctoral Participants, and Subcontractors, by name and position, e.g. Dr. John Smith, Principal Investigator.

Not providing a curriculum vitae of two single spaced pages or less for each of the following: Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, Collaborators, and Consultants, as well as for other named individuals such as Postdoctoral participants and Research Assistants who will have a major role in the project.

Requesting support for training activities.

Examples of Reasons for Denial of a full Scientific Review of a Concept Paper

[Detailed listing provided on page 31 in the Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions]

Calendar of Key Dates

All examples listed under the Concept Paper heading plus the following:

Unallowable Substantive changes between the Concept Paper and the Full Proposal

Omission of required letters of support from the institution or organization

indicating the institution’s/organization’s approval and support of the proposal,

agreement to provide matching funds, and agreement to comply with the conditions

for grant acceptance.

No assurance of IRB or IACUC approval or pending approval. If IRB or IACUC is

pending approval, an assurance must be provided that a decision will be made by

June 15 of the funding year.

Examples of Reasons for Denial of a full Scientific Review of a Full Proposal

[Detailed listing provided on page 31 in the Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions]

Anne C. Pace, M.P.A, AdministratorCommonwealth Health Research BoardP. O. Box 1971 [Mailing]101 N. 14th Street, 2nd Floor [Delivery]Richmond, Virginia 23218-1971anne.pace.chrb@doa.virginia.gov804.371.7799 Telephone

804.692.0222 Fax

Contact Information: