2015 Postdocs at the Interface RFP - ChEM-H

ChEM-H
Chemistry, Engineering & Medicine For Human Health
2015 Seed Grant Competition: Postdocs at the Interface
Purpose
Stanford ChEM-H is soliciting seed grant proposals from the Stanford community of
postdoctoral fellows for exploratory projects that align with the Institute’s mission. Successful
proposals will combine the complementary expertise of two or more postdoctoral fellows, who
seek to collaboratively explore a potentially transformative new idea with the support of their
mentors.
Deadline
May 1, 2015
!
!
Funding
Each
seed !grant will provide $50K in direct cost funding for a one-year period. These funds may
O VERVIEW
be
used
salary, consensus
benefits, and/or
laboratory
supplies.
There is for
a growing
in the scientific
community
that we have reached a new inflection point in
human biology, one which is expected to give rise to an era of accelerated discovery on the scale of atomic
Eligibility
science in should
the 1940s
or the collaborations
microcomputer revolution
of the
1980s. Since
the first
Proposals
involve
between two
or 1970s
more and
postdoctoral
fellows
withcomplete
existing
sequencing of at
theStanford.
human genome
decade ago,
collaboration
chemists,
appointments
Each aapplicant
on increasing
a given proposal
must among
have abiologists,
distinct primary
clinicians,
and engineers
is giving
to remarkable
new tools
and techniques.
What’s postdoctoral
more, the integration
mentor.
Early-stage
postdocs
arerise
encouraged
to apply.
Collaborations
between
fellows
with Ph.D.
and
M.D.
degreesisare
alsoaencouraged.
of knowledge
across
these
disciplines
driving
deeper understanding of the human body—with discoveries
in one field informing new insights in another. Though we continue to face an overwhelming number of
Application Guidelines
unsolved challenges to human health, the potential for fundamental breakthroughs has never been greater.
Submit one PDF file containing the following in the order indicated below
Perhaps
the most critical interface in this revolution lies between chemistry and biology. To put it simply, the
1) Title page
human •body
is comprised
essentially
chemicals.
such, our ability
to decode
its Interface”
mysteries will require a
“Stanford
ChEM-H
2015ofSeed
Grant As
Competition:
Postdocs
at the
fundamental
understanding
of
the
structure
and
function
of
living
systems
at
the
level
of atomic bonds. This is
• Project Title
the realm
Stanford
ChEM-H, an interdisciplinary institute that harnesses Chemistry, Engineering and
• ofFor
each co-applicant:
Name,
department,
address,
phone number,
email
address
Medicine for oHuman
health.
The proximity
of world-class
biologists,
chemists,
engineers, and clinicians at
o Primary
mentor name,
title,human
& department
Stanford presents
unique opportunity
to study
biology at a molecular level, to translate this knowledge
Proposal
into2)groundbreaking
products and services that promote healthy living, and to educate a new cadre of
• Explain background and aims of the project
“physician-scientist-engineers” who will lead a rapidly evolving industry.
• Describe a best-case outcome on a 6-12 month timescale
• Project narrative and figures should not exceed 2 pages, references may be
ChEM-H provides
a clear
sense
of purpose
to chemistry and biology as they rapidly reorient toward postsubmitted
on an
additional
page
genomic
Because
the emphasis
on humans, andofbecause
of the unique and
ethical
andthey
practical
• healthcare.
A one-page
statement
on the isroles/expertise
each co-applicant
how
challenges combine
associatedtowith
studying
humans,
the
engagement
of
engineers
and
clinicians
as
equal
partners is
further the project goal
• inSingle
space,
Arial
point fontchemists, biologists, engineers, and clinicians rub shoulders as
essential
ChEM-H.
Every
day11
at Stanford,
3)
Budget
they seek to decode or manipulate the molecules of life. Their informal and formal conversations result in
4) NIH
for each co-applicant
elegant
newFormat
ways ofBiosketch
looking at incredibly
complex problems in human biology. They also foster innovative
5) A letter of support from the primary mentors of each of the co-applicants, guaranteeing
solutions to seemingly intractable challenges in human health.
availability of adequate facilities and supplementary research expense funds, should an
award be made
Within the next 20 to 30 years, we can reasonably expect ChEM-H researchers to explain and engineer some
Also
prepare
a 200-word
description
aimed
at a general
audienceinfectious diseases and
of the
most complex
facetsproject
of human
biology, such
as epigenetic
phenomena,
autoimmunity, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, and the effects of diet and the microbiome on
health and behavior. Such deep-seated discoveries will have broad implications for medical imaging,
preventive and curative medicine, and regulatory science.
Stanford ChEM-H ! Shriram Center ! 443 Via Ortega Room 279, MC 5082, Stanford, CA 94305-4125
Application Submission
Submit proposals to Stanford ChEM-H through the SlideRoom portal found at:
https://chemh.slideroom.com/
Please designate one person per proposal to submit the materials via the online portal to avoid
duplication.
* It is not necessary to generate a PDRF form or to submit the proposal to your institutional
representative (RPM in RMB or OSR contract officer) at this time. Submit proposals directly to
Stanford ChEM-H per these instructions.
Selection Process
Proposals will be reviewed by a faculty panel consisting of Stanford ChEM-H affiliated faculty
and scored based on the originality and potential impact of the idea rather than the strength of
the preliminary data. Preference will be given to proposals that yield resources or insights that
will be of benefit to the broader Stanford research community.
Applications will be selected by June 1, 2015 and funded effective June 15, 2015.
Contact
Dr. Alia Schoen
Stanford ChEM-H Program Manager
alia.schoen@stanford.edu