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 Pilot
Projects Home
About
SWEHSC Pilot Projects
The Southwest Environmental Health Sciences
Center (SWEHSC), an NIEHS funded Center at the University of
Arizona, announces the availability of awards up to $40,000
for pilot projects involving research related to the mission
of the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Center.
Pilot Pilot projects are designed to provide support for obtaining preliminary
data that can be used in developing major proposals for submission to extramural
funding agencies.
- In this round of funding, priority will be given to projects
involving translational research, see
below.
- Applications must make use of technologies available in
the SWEHSC Facility Cores
- Projects that provide for interaction with existing SWEHSC
investigators are encouraged.
- Research related questions should be addressed to Dr.
Nathan Cherrington (cherrington@pharmacy.arizona.edu,
520-626-0219). All investigators should consult with Dr.
Cherrington prior to submission to ensure their research
relates to the goals of the Center. Peer-review committees
will review applications.
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Translational Research
Because
defining the term “Translational
Research” can be a moving
target, it is useful to define
the concept of translational
research
in environmental health sciences
that is guiding efforts
at SWEHSC, illustrated chematically
in this figure.
This scheme highlights three broad areas
of translational research: experimental
models, human studies, and stakeholders. In addition to defining these areas and
their components, this figure illustrates
the levels at which research translation
needs to occur.
Key components
that comprise each area are listed
as well. |
- Research within the Experimental
Models area is sufficiently diverse
that an investigator who develops
a project
in a yeast model may well need assistance
in transferring that project to
a tumor cell culture model, or
to
a genetically engineered rodent model.
- In addition to this ‘within area’ translation,
there is a potential roadblock
in translating research from animal
models to validation in a human
study, or in translating the results of a human study to regulators
whose area of regulatory authority
would benefit from this new knowledge.
- A second important
feature of this model of translational
research is that it is not serial in nature, as the translational
research scheme is frequently represented.
- Paths exist in
this model for research translation
between any model components, which is a more accurate
reflection of reality.
As an example, novel findings from a human epidemiological
study may prompt in vitro research in a human cell
culture system in order to gain more molecular, mechanistic
insight as to the nature of the epidemiological bservation.
This could, in turn, lead to a finding that would be
of
importance to a regulatory official, or to an exposed human
population.
Translating research, therefore,
is a dynamic process that defies linear, serial models.
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More
about Translational Research
- Translational research is defined by NIEHS as
the conversion of environmental health
research into information, resources, or tools that can be
used
by public health and medical professionals
and by the public to improve overall health and well-being,
especially in vulnerable populations.
- Collaborative efforts
that foster integration of basic
science, public health research including epidemiology
and intervention studies, and patientoriented
clinical research among basic scientists, clinical researchers,
and/or public health practitioners is particularly encouraged.
- Research to improve early detection, prevention, and/or
therapy for environmentally – related
disorders or which utilizes wellcharacterized
patients and control subjects
are examples of the types of research
projects that will be responsive to
this solicitation.
- All State
of Arizona faculty are eligible and encouraged
to apply. Junior and clinical faculty,
in particular, who have not previously performed research
in environmental
health science but who would be interested
in broadening their research to include environmentally
related research,
are especially invited by the Center to apply.
Goals
of the Pilot Projects Program
- To provide short-term support for projects aimed
at exploring new areas of research in environmental
health sciences;
- To support Center Investigators in acquiring
preliminary data necessary to pursue long-term
extramural funding for environmental health
sciences;
- To promote research in environmental health sciences
by also providing support for non-members who wish
to redirect their research to include environmental
health.
Program Administration
The Pilot Project Program was modified in 2006 based
on recommendations from the IAB and EAB. Grant competition
will be annually with the RFA being released in late
August, early September. Funding will begin in January
of the following year. The level of funding for individual
grants was raised to $40,000, and the competition
was opened to all investigators within the State
of Arizona. This was done to recruit new investigators
into environmental health sciences research, and
to provide sufficient funds for the collection of
preliminary data for securing extramural funding
(two of our overall objectives for the program).
Advertisement of the Program was through web-based
communication at the three state Universities and
by direct communication with other known research
entities in the state.
Pilot Project recipients are expected to become
active members of an appropriate Research Theme and
to present their data at the Annual Science Fair.
This is a poster presentation involving all investigators
in the Center for Toxicology. Of the SWEHSC budget,
15% is allocated for the Pilot Projects.
Evaluation of Pilot Projects Proposals
Administration of the Pilot Projects
Program has involved the Internal Advisory Board
(IAB), and External Advisory Board (EAB). They ensure
- a broad applicant base
- an objective appraisal of the scientific merit
of each proposal
- a balance of funded projects consistent with
the overall aims and needs of the SWEHSC
The Deputy Director has been primarily responsible
for administering the Pilot Projects Program. The
IAB has evaluated the scientific merit of the proposals
and provided guidance to the Deputy Director and
Director with regard to funding decisions. The EAB
has assisted setting overall policy and has reviewed
the management of the Pilot Projects Program. Members
of the EAB also reviewed individual projects. Scientific
merit, programmatic needs, and balance have been
considered in evaluating Pilot Projects.
In short, evaluation of proposals are based upon:
- Evaluated for scientific merit, programmatic
needs, and balance;
- Scientific merit is interpreted in a broad sense
so as to include such factors as the importance
of the research problem, the originality of the
approach, feasibility, and the qualifications of
the research team;
- In addition to the rankings of scientific merit,
such issues as the collaborative nature of the
projects, the likelihood of future funding, program
balance, and the programmatic needs of the SWEHSC
are considered in the funding decision;
- Reviewed by a member each of the IAB and the
EAB and by an external independent reviewer recruited
by the Deputy Director.
- Any individuals submitting proposals have been
excluded from participating in the review process.
- Proposals are assigned a score of 1-5 by each
reviewer, with a score of 1 representing an outstanding
application. After the reviews are completed,
funding decisions are made by the IAB.
Future Plans
The basic philosophy and procedures
for the Pilot Projects Program will remain largely
unaltered. [The Program will continue to be administered
by the Deputy Director with help from the IAB and
EAB. ]
The funding philosophy will remain
flexible, balancing scientific merit and programmatic
needs of the SWEHSC. A high priority will continue
to be to support the translational research and growth
of the Research Programs through individual and collaborative
Pilot Projects. |
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INFORMATION
