RMATRIX Collaboration Pilot Projects Program
2012 Call for Research Proposals

2012 RMATRIX Collaboration Pilot Projects Program
Application Forms

PURPOSE: The RCMI Multidisciplinary and Translational Research Infrastructure Expansion (RMATRIX) in Hawaii Program supports research endeavors and collaboration for faculty members of the University of Hawaii (UH) John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and other UH Departments and Schools. To assist with achieving this goal, RMATRIX sponsors a Collaboration Pilot Projects Program to provide modest, short-term pilot grants to support the development and implementation of projects that have the potential for extramural funding. The pilot project grants are intended to provide research support for competitive projects proposed by faculty and stimulate transdisciplinary research in one or more RMATRIX HEALTH Initiative areas.

AVAILABLE SUPPORT: Applicants may request an annual budget with direct costs of up to $30,000. Applicants may also request personnel and infrastructure support from the RMATRIX Key Functions (e.g. biostatistics, informatics, RN/study coordination, lab support, IRB/regulatory support, training/education, access to clinical exam facilities and/or other support). Thus, it is anticipated that the size of RMATRIX collaboration pilot project awards will vary based upon the scope of the proposed research.

ELIGIBILITY:

  1. Multiple Principal Investigators (PIs) or collaborators are encouraged with one of the PIs having an academic appointment in UH JABSOM. Graduate students, Post docs and Fellows may serve as a co-investigator or collaborator, but the lead PI must have a faculty appointment at UH, preferably at JABSOM. Current or past-funded investigators who have met the obligations and conditions of their RMATRIX award, including progress report and publication requirements, are eligible to apply.
  2. Proposals must involve a transdisciplinary team of investigators or collaborators consisting of at least one clinician and one basic scientist, or a clinician and a community worker, or scientists from two disparate disciplines.
  3. Proposals must focus on health disparities and inequities amongst Native Hawaiians, Pacific islanders, Asians, and disadvantaged populations in Hawaii related to one of the RMATRIX HEALTH Initiative areas:
    1. Cardiovascular Health
    2. Respiratory Health
    3. Perinatal, Growth and Developmental Health
    4. Nutrition and Metabolic Health
    5. Aging and Neurocognitive Health
    6. Cancer
  4. Proposals must have a translational research emphasis clearly showing linkages between basic science and clinical medicine, or development of clinical research leading to adoption of best practices in the community.

Preference will be given to those projects that emphasize one or more of the following features:

  1. Focus on Native Hawaiian health needs in a RMATRIX HEALTH Initiative area, especially those focusing on: Nutrition and Metabolic Health or Perinatal, Growth and Developmental Health.
  2. Emphasize community engagement, especially the RMATRIX target ethnic population which includes Native Hawaiians on Oahu.
  3. Involve multiple RMATRIX Key Functions for project support.
  4. Involve UH and RCMI Translational Research Network (RTRN) infrastructure (http://rtrn.net) partners.
  5. Promote interdisciplinary research.

    6. DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, April 13, 2012, 5:00 pm Hawaii

    MORE INFORMATION: http://rmatrix.jabsom.hawaii.edu:8080/pilot-app/guide.html

    TO DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION: http://rmatrix.jabsom.hawaii.edu:8080/pilot-app/app-grid.html