2008 Application Instructions

In order to encourage the submission of highly innovative proposals, applications for Sandler awards are intended to be brief and require no preliminary data.  A budget is not required at the time of application (see Mission & Policies, items 7 and 8, for budgetary policies and restrictions, including restrictions on indirect costs). 

1.  Review the Mission & Policies carefully to ensure that your application will meet the Program requirements.  Investigators from Canadian institutions should verify with their Office of Research Services that their institution has a determination letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) documenting the institution's public charity status.  A copy of this determination letter is required at the time of application, unless this is already on file at the Sandler Program office (see list).

See item 6 of the Mission & Policies document for application review criteria and for notification dates.

2.  The deadline for receipt of applications is Thursday, February 7, 2008 at
5:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time.  Note:  Applications that arrive at the Sandler Program office after the deadline, or without the required institutional signature, will not be reviewed.  Applicants will be notified of this by email.  

3.  The application should consist of the following items:

a.  Completed "Application Cover Sheet for 2008 Research Award". 
(Do not use an earlier version of the cover sheet.)  

Under Co-Investigators, list all investigators who will receive salary or project support from the proposed project, excluding research fellows and research assistants or technicians.  List as Collaborators, investigators on the project who will not receive support from the Award, in the space provided.

b. Abstract of 250 words or less.  The abstract should include the specific aims of the proposal.

c. Biographical Sketch in the NIH format (PHS 398) for the:

1.  Principal Investigator. Follow the NIH format, with the following exception. For the PI only, funding information must include pending support, and total direct costs (for the entire project period, not annual) for each active award or pending application listed.  (Direct cost information is not needed for completed awards.)  If there are no pending applications, state "None".

2.  Each Co-Investigator named on the Application Cover Sheet.  Follow the NIH format.

Limit four (4) pages per investigator.

Do not include a Biographical Sketch for those named as Collaborators.

Applicants who are approved for funding will be asked to update their other support prior to funding.

d. Narrative, in English, limited to seven (7) pages, not counting references cited.  There is no required format, but the Narrative should include Hypotheses and Specific Aims.  A possible format would be:  Rationale, Hypotheses and Specific Aims, Background, Preliminary Results (if any), Research Plan, and Relevance to Asthma.  Since the application is brief, a detailed description of Methods is not required.  A reference will suffice if the methods have been published in the literature.  If the methods are new, the applicant should include a brief description.  Applicants in the field of asthma should explain in the Narrative how the proposed work represents a departure from their previously funded work.   

For references cited, please list all authors. 

The font size and margins must conform to NIH specifications for PHS 398 applications.  These include a limit of 15 characters and spaces per inch, and 6 lines of type per vertical inch.  (Note:  Failure to conform to type specifications and page limitations will be grounds for downgrading or rejecting the application.) 

It is suggested that page numbering begin with the Narrative section (i.e., page 1).

e.  Optional Appendix, limited to four (4) pages, may include illustrations, figures, and tables, but not methods or other details required for evaluation of the application.  Figure legends should be kept to a few words.  Explanation of figures should be in the Narrative section.

f.  Other Attachments:

Co-Investigator Letters:  A brief letter from each Co-Investigator named on the Application Cover Sheet should be included with the original application and with each of the 14 application copies.  Letters should affirm the Investigator's willingness to perform the duties ascribed to him or her in the proposal.  

Letters from Collaborators are suggested but not required.  Letters will not count toward the four page limit for the Appendix.

Human Studies Approval:  Studies involving human materials must be approved and governed by the sponsoring institution and funding will not be released until this is obtained.  We therefore encourage applicants to obtain approval from their Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Committee on Human Research (CHR) in advance, but this approval is not required at the time of application nor is it required for review.

Applicants from Canadian Institutions:  At the time of application, investigators from Canada will be required to submit a copy of the determination letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) documenting the institution's status as a public charity (unless a copy is already on file at the Sandler office).  (See list)  If the application is approved for funding, an IRS Form W-8EXP will be required from the institution prior to Award activation.

Do not send:  reprints, pre-prints of  manuscripts, IRB approvals of animal care protocols, or a proposed budget.  (A budget is required only from successful applicants.)

4.  Assemble the application in the following order: 

1. Application Cover Sheet for 2008 Research Award (form page), with required signatures
2. Abstract
3. Biographical Sketch (for P.I. and for each Co-Investigator named on the Application Cover Sheet)
4. Narrative (limit 7 pages, excluding references cited)
5. Appendix (optional).  Limit 4 pages.
6. Co-Investigator letters (required)
7. Collaborator letters (optional)
8. Committee on Human Research (IRB) approval, if applicable and available (this may be submitted later, but not after July 1, 2008)
9. For Canadian institutions:  a copy of the determination letter from the U.S. IRS documenting the applicant institution's public charity status (unless this is already on file at the Sandler Program office).

5.  Submit a original plus 14 copies (total 15) of the required materials (items 4.a - g above). Secure the orignal with a binder clip. The 14 copies should be stapled as individual packets (do not use binder clips or paper clips for the copies).  Canadian applicants: Include one copy of the IRS determination letter (item 4.i  above) with the original, unless this is already on file at the Sandler office.  Send to:  

6.  No supplementary material or updates, including additional preliminary data and new publications, will be accepted after the application deadline.  The only exceptions are Committee on Human Research approvals and missing documentation requested by Sandler Program staff.

7.  Further information is available at http://www.sandlerresearch.org, or from the Program Manager, Valerie Dougherty at:

Strategic Program for Asthma Research

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