The Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center is calling for Pilot/Exploratory Study Core (PESC) applications for inclusion in their overall Center renewal grant application. The PESC application should include a letter of intent, a single spaced application (not to exceed three pages), and an NIH biosketch. If successfully renewed, funding for the two-year awards will likely begin in 2013. Applications from investigators from all disciplines relevant to aging-related functional limitations and physical disability are welcomed.
Focus on main theme:
In order to be qualified as meeting this research focus, the application should address one of main objectives of the Pepper Center, which are:
- Causes, prevention, treatment of age-related functional limitations/specific disabilities in older adults.
- Therapeutic interventions for functional limitations and disability in older adults. New approaches for the measurement of physical function, especially those that can be used in the subject’s home environment
- Studies of the mechanisms of anabolic drugs that have the potential for facilitating drug discovery
- High throughput strategies for identifying new therapeutic agents for the treatment of functional limitations and disability in older adults.
- Biomarkers of muscle mass and function, and response to anabolic interventions
A pilot project may define an area of focus either broadly or narrowly.
Eligibility:
While early career investigators will receive priority, applications from all interested investigators at any stage of their career are welcomed.
- Scientific merit. The proposed study must be innovative and original in order to advance our scientific knowledge in the area of the Pepper theme.
- Translational research approach. There should be evidence that the candidate’s research will ultimately lead to new information that is necessary for developing interventions to prevent functional limitations in older people.
- Likelihood that project will result in future extramural funding. Applications will be prioritized on the basis of a high likelihood that the results and data generated from this project will lead to a larger, more definitive project that will be competitive for extramural funding.
- Integration of multiple Pepper Center Cores. Applications will be prioritized if they integrate involvement of Pepper Center cores in order to maximize the utilization of resources, knowledge and expertise across the overall Pepper infrastructure.
Instructions for the Preparation of the Application:
The application should describe the following:
- Description of the specific aims, hypothesis, and general approach
- The significance of the project to the Aging field, especially from the perspective of functional limitations and disability in older adults
- Interdisciplinary and translational nature of the project
- The candidate’s background training and career development plans
- Utilization of Pepper Center Cores
Page Limit: No more than three pages
Duration of the Project: Two years
Amount of funding available: Varying amounts for two years depending on the availability of funds and candidate’s unique situation. The candidates are encouraged to submit a budget for $30,000 annually with the understanding that the funded amount may be lower.
Deadline for Submission: December 14, 2011
Review Process: Abstracts will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and you will be notified on or before January 31, 2012 as to whether or not your application has been selected for inclusion in the Center renewal application.
How to submit the application: Please submit your application by e-mail to Alicia Mackin at alicia.mackin@bmc.org (617/414-2952).
Questions: Contact Dr. Monty Montano at mmontano@bu.edu or Dr. Shalender Bhasin at bhasin@bu.edu.
