TIGOR

Tufts Institute for Global Obesity Research

Request for Applications: Pilot Grants for Trainees in Obesity Research

From: Tufts Institute for Global Obesity Research (TIGOR)

Proposal Due Date:  Thursday January 26, 2023, 5:00 pm

The Tufts Institute for Global Obesity Research (TIGOR) is pleased to invite pilot project applications for 2023. As part of the University’s Strategic Plan for Research, TIGOR fosters collaborations to address the complex societal issue of obesity, with a focus on both domestic and global obesity. This is the sixth round of the pilot study program. This opportunity is open to postdoctoral fellows and doctoral students. Masters students who have plans to complete a PhD may also be considered.

Eligibility

Postdoctoral fellows and doctoral students of Tufts faculty/scientists with primary appointment/affiliation at Tufts University or Tufts Medical Center are eligible to apply. Masters students who have plans to complete a PhD may also be considered.

 

Project Period and Budget

Project Duration: Projects are expected to begin no later than March 31, 2023. Projects must be completed and all expenditures incurred within 6 months of the start date and no later than September 30, 2023, unless formal approval of program period extension is received and approved.

Budget: Grant(s) will be funded at a maximum of $5,000. An anticipated 2-3 grants will be awarded.

 

Award Conditions

Funds can be used in a variety of ways including for data collection; data analysis; publication development; publication costs in high impact journals; and salary or other types of direct support for the project. Completion of the proposed research activities must be feasible in the 6-month grant period.

 

Review Criteria

  • The likelihood that the proposed work can be completed in the 6-month grant period.
  • The potential and likelihood that this project will lead to an impactful publication and/or support for a grant submission.
  • Funds must be used to advance a study this is innovative and original, in order to advance knowledge in an obesity-related area.
  • Clarity of goals.
  • Feasibility of timeline.
  • Appropriateness of budget, and a need for funding to complete the research.

 

Reporting Requirements

By October 31, 2023, grant recipients must provide to the TIGOR Steering Committee at Shanti.Sharma@tufts.edu a final report of no longer than one single-spaced page. The final summary report should:

  • Describe the work that was accomplished.
  • Describe any plans for ongoing collaboration beyond the funded project.

In addition, grant recipients may be contacted prior to the end date and asked to provide a brief update on progress.

 

Pilot Grant Application Content

  1. Cover Page(1 page):
    1. Provide title of project; names, titles, affiliations, and contact information of applicant and co-investigators; and proposed start and end dates.
    2. Include a statement from the applicant’s supervisor attesting that the supervisor approves submission of the application, and that the supervisor is willing to review other grants submitted for this mechanism.
      1. Include supervisor’s name, title and signature following this statement.
    3. Include applicant’s signature.
  2. Project Description (one single-spaced page): Describe the proposed project including goals, activities or experiments, expected outcomes, a timeline for completion, and how the project could potentially lead to an impactful publication and/or funding.
  3. Budget and Budget Justification (no more than one page).
  4. Resumes: Include an abbreviated CV or resume of (no more than two pages) for the applicant and each significant collaborator.
  5. References/ Bibliography (optional): (no more than one page) list of relevant publications.

 

Key Dates

Application submission period begins: December 1, 2022

Application submission period ends: January 26, 2023, 5:00 pm

Award decision: on or before March 15, 2023

Earliest start date: March 15, 2023

Submission: Proposals should be submitted electronically as a single PDF to Shanti.Sharma@tufts.edu.

 

Review Process

A distributed review process will be followed. The applicant’s supervisor must attest that they approve submission of the application, and that the supervisor is willing to review other grants submitted for this mechanism. The review process may be adjusted depending on the number of proposals received. Notification of funding will be made on or before March 15, 2023.

 

For questions and submission of a proposal, please send email to Shanti.Sharma@tufts.edu.