Specific Grants

1. Cannon Award

These awards are to sustain productive research pro-grams during short gaps in funding. Investigators who have applied for renewal of extramural funding from a national funding agency will be considered if an appli-cation for continued funding has been favorably reviewed but has not been funded because of budget constraints. To permit the investigator to continue his/her research program while reapplying for funding, the Cannon Awards will fund up to $75,000/year for no more than three years. These funds can be used to pay for supplies and salaries of support personnel already on the payroll, but they cannot be used to support salaries of new employees. When funding is received from the extramural source, unexpended monies in the Cannon Award will revert to the Children's Foundation Research funds.

2. Supplemental Award

These awards are intended to provide additional sup-port to new investigators who have successfully com-peted for extramural funding but who need extra funds to carry out the proposed studies. Individuals who have been awarded up to $150,000/year from a national funding agency may apply for up to 20% of the amount awarded by that agency. These funds can be used to pay for supplies and technician salaries, but not faculty salaries.

3. New Investigator Award

These awards are intended to support new investigators who are committed to a research career. With very few exceptions, these awards are given to investi-gators who have recently completed fellowship training and have demonstrated potential for productive research. These awards permit new investigators to gather preliminary data that will allow them to apply for extramural funding. It is expected that the appli-cant will commit 50-80% of their time to the research proposal. It is anticipated that these individuals will have academic appointments in the physician scientist pathway. A supporting letter from the applicant's Division Chief is required to document this commit-ment. A paragraph should be included with the appli-cation, which summarizes the applicant's long-term goals for development of his/her research career. This should include plans for obtaining extramural funding and for progressing along the promotion and tenure track. The New Investigator Awards will fund up to $75,000/year for no more than three years. Funds can be used for salaries for research support personnel, supplies and small equipment.

The key to making such a system of grant funding work is a strong and critical peer review process. Therefore, even before starting the Center, a Scientific Advisory Committee was established, composed of members of the Foundation, the Scientific Director, Center investi-gators and scientists outside of the Department of Pediatrics and the University. The review process is comprehensive, fair, and constructive. Factors taken into account during the review process include the qualifications of the applicant, the importance of the research area proposed, the likelihood that the inves-tigator will be able to complete the studies he/she proposes, the quality of the collaborators he/she has selected, and the appropriateness of the budget. In the case of the New Investigator Award applicants, a letter must be provided by the Division Chief of that applicant stating that the applicant will have at least 50% of their time dedicated to their research.