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About DHFMR Seed Grant Program Awards
The DHFMR Seed Grant Program will make awards available to collaborative research initiatives that are in the conceptual or early stages of development. These awards are intended to encourage and support collaborations between HMS research centers or labs and their counterparts in the Middle East region at the beginning phase of their research partnership. DHFMR Seed Grant Program Awards may provide initial research support for new investigators, or for the exploration of innovative new directions for established researchers. DHFMR also encourages applications that combine both the expertise of established researchers and the potential of talented young investigators who are at the beginning of their research career.
Available Funding
DHFMR will award up to $150,000 per year for a maximum of two years. The awards will provide these early-stage initiatives with the impetus to become viable and established research collaborations that will eventually be in a strong position to seek additional substantive multi-year funding, either from DHFMR’s Collaborative Research Center Award program, or from similar programs supported by other funding agencies.
Research Focus
As with all DHFMR-funded research collaborations and research related award programs, the proposed research should focus on diseases or health issues that are relevant to the population groups within the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Peninsula and greater Middle East region. Each partner laboratory or center should be headed by individuals with a doctorate in medicine, a PhD in medicine or other health related field or in biomedical sciences.
Candidates for the DHFMR Seed Grant Program Awards should demonstrate that the proposed research would benefit from a collaborative approach and partnership. The work of the candidate programs, laboratories or centers should also benefit the development of scientific knowledge and understanding within Harvard Medical School and within the Middle East region. DHFMR will favor applications that demonstrate an innovative approach to medical and biomedical research, to the potential benefits of research collaboration, and to the development of new research techniques.
Proposed research activities may draw upon recent advances in the basic medical and biomedical sciences, epidemiology, clinical research and outcome research that have the potential to lead to breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of disease.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DHMFR SEED GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS
DHFMR Seed Grant Program Awards will help to establish collaborative research initiatives between laboratories and centers at Harvard Medical School or at Harvard Medical School affiliated hospitals and research laboratories and centers in the Middle East Region. Each partner laboratory or center should be headed by individuals with a doctorate in medicine, a PhD in medicine or other health related field or in biomedical sciences. Each award will provide support up to $150,000 per year, for a maximum of two years.
Candidate programs, laboratories or centers should have outstanding promise as contributors in science relevant to human health. DHFMR will favor candidates that demonstrate an innovative and creative approach to medical or biomedical research, and whose research focus is relevant to the population groups within the Middle East Region. DHFMR encourages applications from research centers and initiatives that demonstrate a pioneering approach to medical, biomedical and basic science research, with a strong focus on developing translational research.
Candidates should also demonstrate how a collaborative partnership and approach would benefit the proposed research. The work of the candidate programs, laboratories or centers should benefit the development of scientific knowledge and understanding within Harvard Medical School, the UAE and the broader Middle East region.
Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the Harvard Medical School Department Chair (on behalf of the potential Harvard-based partner), and a letter of support from the Medical School Dean or Research Center Director (on behalf of the potential Middle East-based partner)
Guidelines for Completing the Application:
Candidates for DHFMR Seed Grant Program Awards are invited to submit a proposal by September 1, 2008. The proposal must include the following information:
1) Title Page and Introduction:
• Applicant Information
• Names and contact information of the Principal Investigators
• Letters of Support from the Department Chair or Research Director, including a clear statement about feasibility of any sample sharing and shipment
• Lay Abstract (no more than one page)
2) CVs and statements:
• Biosketch of all Principal and Co-Investigators (not to exceed two pages per person)
• Statements of Collaboration clarifying what and where components of research will be conducted highlighting areas of interactions
3) The Proposal (no more than 10 pages) must include:
• Research Plan
• Teaching and Mentoring Experience
• Scientific Abstract
• Facilities and Resources
• Budget for the two-year funding period (including any institution’s indirect costs – DHFMR will fund up to 20% in indirect costs per year)
• IRB Approval Sheet (optional)
4) Bibliography
The deadline for submission of proposals for DHFMR Seed Grant Program Awards is September 1, 2008.
Previous research experience and accomplishments, potential to pursue innovative research, demonstrated ability to work independently, while part of a larger research team or collaborative effort, and publication history will be taken into account.
SUBMISSION
The deadline for submission of proposals is September 1st, 2008.
All proposals and applications for the DHFMR Seed Grant Program Awards will be peer-reviewed by an independent Peer Review Committee established by the DHFMR Scientific Advisory Committee. Successful candidates will be notified by the DHFMR Board of Trustees during December 2008, and funding will become effective January 1, 2009.
Proposals and Applications must be submitted to:
Jasmin Mehovic
Program Coordinator
The Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research
401 Park Drive, Suite 22
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215
Phone: +1-617-535-6518
Fax: +1-617-535-6410
Email: jasmin_mehovic@hms.harvard.edu
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