The Idea Award Program is looking to support highly innovative projects specific to COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 in two specific categories (Public Health and Basic Science). Projects in both categories below will be reviewed on innovation, scientific merit, and feasibility. The goal of the IDEA AWARD is to identify highly innovative research with high potential to deliver a substantial advance in COVID-19 health impacts—ultimately leading to extramural project funding.
Category 1 Idea Awards are being requested that accelerate new scientific discovery on the public health impact of COVID19. Each award will be funded at a maximum level of $50,000 per year for one year. Projects in this award type must clearly state the specific gap in public health to be addressed by the study. Idea Awards in Category 1 should include a highly novel hypothesis and a clear statement as to how the COVID-19 research represents a significant innovation or advance for public health. The proposed study should distinguish itself from other funded efforts for COVID-19 and public health.
Category 2 Idea Awards are requested to accelerate new scientific discovery on the basic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 virus, infection, and pathogenesis in humans. Each award will be funded at a maximum level of $50,000 per year for one year. Projects in this award type must clearly state the specific gap in disease pathogenesis that will be addressed. Those projects that include a multidisciplinary approach and that include use of the Laboratory for Comparative Biology are encouraged.
Idea Award projects in Category 2 should include a highly novel hypothesis specific to the basic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection with a clear statement from the applicant(s) on why the proposed hypothesis is novel and how the research approach is innovative. The proposed study should distinguish itself from the numerous ongoing efforts in diagnostics as well as drug and vaccine development.
Amount of award: Up to $50,000 for 12 months.
Eligibility: RSOM faculty all ranks.
How to Apply
Solicitation and Review Process
Phase 1: Applicants submit no more than a 2-page abstract outlining the proposed work that includes a one paragraph budget justification. All application should include copies of the PI(s) NIH style biosketch. A Review Committee composed of selected experts representing each category will evaluate, score, and discuss all preliminary applications. Applicants should indicate if they have applied for any of the numerous rapid funding mechanisms related to COVID-19 and the outcome/status of those applications. Any potential for overlap and how it would be handled should be addressed.
>>Click here to access the Abstract Submission form for Phase 1<<
Phase 2: A limited number of applicants will be invited to submit full proposals and present the Idea Award Concept to the Review Committee.
Phase 3: Funding recommendations will be submitted for final approval.
Deadlines
The following dates apply to the most recent solicitation:
- October 1, 2020 – Initial abstracts of proposals must be received. Please note that the online submission system will reject proposals submitted after 5:00 p.m.
- October 15, 2020 – Applicants will be notified if they are invited to submit full proposals.