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Notre Dame-DCU Seed Grant in Precision Biomedical Technologies

The University of Notre Dame logo is on the left and the Dublin City University logo is on the right with a white background. Both logos are in blue and gold.

Submit your application here

RFP-Release date: TBD

Proposal Submission Deadline: TBD

Overview

The Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health at the University of Notre Dame (BIPH), the Dublin City University Life Sciences Institute (LSI), and Notre Dame Global, together with Notre Dame Dublin, announce an inaugural competitive seed grant program to enable researchers at the University of Notre Dame (ND) and Dublin City University (DCU) to establish collaborations in precision biomedical technologies. This opportunity will involve the development of collaborative research projects that will include personnel and knowledge exchange in areas of mutual interest with global impact. Where appropriate, projects will have access to administrative and logistical support through Notre Dame Dublin.

Head to precisionhealth.nd.edu for the most up-to-date information

Grant Awardees

Eligibility/Grant Requirements

  • Projects must include at least one PI from ND and one from DCU
  • All PIs must hold an academic position at either DCU or ND (Regular Full-time faculty)
  • Projects incorporating graduate or postdoctoral researchers are encouraged
  • Funds are intended for a one-year term and are not renewable

Funding

This mechanism will support and advance collaborative international research, broadly defined, between ND and DCU. Funding is available for various collaborative opportunities, but preference will be given to activities that promote relationships between Notre Dame and DCU through measurable impact and increased engagement, offering a path to externally funded cooperative grants. The types of collaborations might include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Sensors and technologies for biosurveillance, diagnostics, or related physiological or environmental monitoring
  • Novel therapeutics based on medicinal chemistry, drug delivery, or pharmaceutics
  • Technologies to address health disparities and inequities
  • Studies on the interface of human health and the environment or microbiome
  • Health security

Individual grants are expected to be around $10,000. We anticipate 4-5 awards. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate other sources of funding (discretionary, internal, or external), or related cost-sharing or in-kind support to complement the award budget. Funding used for personnel is restricted to trainee support and cannot be used to cover PI salary or administrative support.

Application Guidelines

To request funding, please submit a completed proposal as one PDF document. The proposal will be reviewed by a faculty committee of experts selected by BIPH and LSI directors. Please submit proposals through this Google Form. Each proposal must include the following items:

  • Proposal Title & Project Team, including International Partners (Cover Page):
    • Name, department/center/institute affiliation, and email for all collaborating PIs
    • Information for any additional collaborators or key personnel
  • Abstract of the proposed project (one paragraph in a separate page)
  • Description of the proposed project (2-page maximum, single-spaced), including:
    • Objective of the project
    • Background, Preliminary Work, and/or Motivation
    • Experimental Methods
    • Envisioned Outcomes & Alternative Approaches
    • Collaborative Statement – How will the project foster collaboration between ND and DCU? Plan for publications and external funding mechanisms targeted.
    • Anticipated timeline
  • Formatting Guidelines:
    • A paper size no larger than standard letter paper size (8 ½" x 11”)
    • At least one-half inch margins (½" ) - top, bottom, left, and right - for all pages
    • Font size at least 11 pt (Arial, Georgia, Helvetica, or Palatino Linotype)
    • Single-line spacing at least
  • Budget (download template) and Justification (one page).
  • Please download the collaborator list template, fill it in, and click the checkbox to certify their willingness to be involved in the project.
  • Curriculum vitae (CVs): (2-page maximum) for each PI (both ND and DCU)
    • If postdocs, graduate students, and/or undergraduates are included in the project as collaborators or key personnel, describe their qualifications (1 additional page)

PLEASE NOTE: Cover page, abstract, description, budget, collaborator list, and CVs MUST BE combined into a single PDF file. Name the PDF file as Lead PI’s last name_Insititute.pdf. For example, Smith_ND.pdf or Sullivan_DCU.PDF. Then submit the final PDF document through this Google Form.

Proposal Evaluation

A multi-disciplinary faculty committee will review proposals under the following criteria:

  • The potential to develop or strengthen research relationships between ND and DCU
  • Potential for publication or external support
  • Potential to catalyze personnel exchange between ND and DCU
  • The academic quality of the proposed research, including scope, significance, and originality
  • Clarity of goals and alignment with the scope and objectives of the funding mechanism
  • Alignment with the strategic priorities of BIPH-ND, DCU- LSI, and ND-Global
  • Budget

Expenses

Full details of all anticipated costs and activities should be itemized. Budget justification will be required. The application review will include a review of eligibility, scale, and appropriateness of requested expenses.

Eligible Expenses

Expenses can be used for the following:

  • Consumables for a proof-of-principle study
  • Travel expenses for personnel to facilitate collaboration or exchange of ideas/materials
  • Partial stipend for research personnel and trainees

Ineligible Expenses

  • Computers, Software, Equipment, Office supplies
  • Faculty Salary
  • Teaching buy-out
  • Tuition and fees

Follow-up Report

Successful applicants are required to:

  • Submit a final report within one month of the end date of the award, including:
    • A summary of activities funded by the award and significant results achieved, including evidence that the project supports collaboration between Notre Dame and DCU
    • Any publications or manuscripts resulting from the award
    • Plans or evidence for external funding applications
  • Submit brief updates (and pictures, if applicable) of developments related to funding that are newsworthy (e.g., conference, launch of new program).
  • Reference the award in any relevant publications

Contact

For more information about this grant, please contact the POC listed below for BIPH(ND) and LSI(DCU)

BIPH

Email: BIPH@nd.edu

DCU

Email: lsi@dcu.ie

ND Dublin

Email: dublin@nd.edu