Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine

Project Lead Program

Visual Sciences Center of Biomedical Research Excellence
Project Lead Program

The Visual Sciences Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (VS-CoBRE) expects to
support up to two projects each for up to $200,000 in direct costs per year for two years.
Applications will be reviewed for scientific rigor, impact, and feasibility based on the budget
and the scope of work specifically covered by that support.

Applications must describe a research project that aligns with the scientific theme of the
VS-CoBRE and will provide preliminary data for a substantial extramural research
project grant application. Preference will be given to projects that benefit from the Visual
Function and Morphology (VFM) Core at WVU. This competition is open to all full-time,
tenure- or clinical-track, or tenured faculty at WVU (see specifics on Eligibility in the FOA).

Priority will be given to junior investigators

To Apply:

Prepare and submit a complete Project Lead application.

The Application should include the following components:


• Project Summary (30-line abstract)
• A list of key/senior personnel and their role on the project
• Facilities and Resources: include major equipment available to project, and a
paragraph on planned use of the VFM Core.
• Updated Biosketch in NIH format. Include Biosketches of key personnel and other
significant contributors
• Detailed budget and budget justification (use NIH budget form)
• Research Plan (Use Continuation Format Page) should have the following
components
      – Proposed a 5-year research plan despite the 2-3 year anticipated funding
         period
      – Specific aims: limit to 3 specific aims. (1 page)
      – Research Strategy (6 pages maximum)
          • Background and Significance
          • Innovation
          • Preliminary data (if any; not required)
          • Approach
          • Experimental design
          • Anticipated Results, data analysis,
          • Alternative approaches
          • Please note NIH’s emphasis on “scientific rigor and reproducibility”
              https://grants.nih.gov/reproducibility/index.htm).
          • Research plan should explain how the proposed aims will support a
             future application for an NIH, NSF (or equivalent) research project
             grant.
       – Bibliography (short, less than 35 references)

Please see document below for additional details:

Project Lead Grant Award Competition Funding Opportunity Announcement

If you have any questions on the forms or documents required, please reach out to: Melissa Kuhn (mkuhn@hsc.wvu.edu)

Please compile your application into a single PDF document. Submit your complete application package before 5 PM on December 2, 2024, to Caitlin Cather (ccather1@hsc.wvu.edu).