Cystinosis Research Network Call for Proposals
Research proposals may be submitted to CRN for review and consideration. CRN utilizes a Scientific Review Board comprised of leading experts on the disease of cystinosis which reviews grant proposals and submits funding recommendations to the Cystinosis Research Network. More specifically, the Scientific Review Board provides independent, objective review and recommendations regarding each research proposal utilizing grant review guidelines established by CRN and in accordance with the mission of the organization. The Chairperson of the Scientific Review Board summarizes its recommendations and presents them to the Cystinosis Research Network which then votes on each proposed project.
Priority is given to interventional research, both clinical and basic, that will lead to improved treatments for cystinosis. New investigators are particularly encouraged to apply. CRN has a strong interest in funding projects related to advancing Newborn Screening for Cystinosis – applications regarding this subject will have priority.
2020 Call for Research Proposals
The Cystinosis Research Network is pleased to announce its 2020 Call for Research Proposals. Proposals should be submitted by August 14, 2020. Applicants must submit an electronic copy of each proposal to: Christy Greeley, Vice President for Research cgreeley@cystinosis.org.
Submission Information
The Scientific Review Board utilizes a two step-process to make funding recommendations. The first step occurs at the annual Scientific Review Board meeting. Proposals may be submitted to CRN at any time, however, CRN will issue a formal call for grant proposals prior to the annual meeting for preliminary review. The top rated applicants from the preliminary review meeting may be asked to present their proposals in person before the Scientific Review Board at its annual meeting, to be held in conjunction with the biennial conference. In years when the conference does not take place, the meeting will be held via conference call. After this second step, the Scientific Review Board will again rank the proposals and make its final funding recommendations to the CRN Executive Committee via the Vice President for Research.
The Executive Committee will meet within two weeks following the annual Scientific Review Board meeting and will then vote on the SRB’s recommendations. Funding decisions will be arrived at taking several factors into consideration. In addition to the SRB’s recommendations, these factors may include such issues as the amount of money currently allotted for research funding, internal research topic prioritization, expressed wishes of donors, and efforts to support a wide variety of cystinosis researchers. More than one grant may be funded. A majority vote of the Executive Committee will be required in order to approve funding of any grant proposal. Decisions will be communicated to each applicant within two weeks following this meeting.
An optional, additional SRB meeting may be held at the discretion of the Executive Committee in the event that additional funds become available and outstanding qualified proposals remain unfunded. A call for new proposals may also be made at that time in the event that the amount of new funding available exceeds that required by any outstanding, qualified proposals. Funding recommendations would be arrived at after the optional meeting of the SRB.The Executive Committee would then utilize the same procedure in order to arrive at funding decisions.
Proposal Guidelines
Each application must include:
- Abstract/Summary of project
- Hypothesis and specific aims
- Methodology
- Data analysis plan and expected results
- Detailed budget — CRN will provide up to 10% of indirect costs
- Statement as to why Cystinosis Research Network funding is essential for the execution of this project
- Personnel (please include current CVs)
- IRB approval and consent forms, or plan to obtain such approval, when applicable
- Statement detailing other grant support available, if applicable
- Proposed start and end dates
Conditions of Grant Award Acceptance
Upon acceptance of research grant funding by the Cystinosis Research Network, the awardee/recipient agrees to the following:
Progress reports will be required from awardees at specified time points. These will include reports at 6 month intervals (i.e. 6 month, 12 month, 18 month, etc.), for the duration of the study, as well as a final report at the conclusion. These progress reports should be an executive overview of the study’s progress against key milestones, including budget and personnel updates. Budget payments will be linked to these reports.
The Cystinosis Research Network biennially sponsors a Scientific Symposium and Family Conference (conducted in sequence).The Principal Investigator (or comparable level delegate) agrees to be available within reasonable limits of time and travel to present the findings of the research sponsored by the Cystinosis Research Network at either or both of these events. Reimbursement will be provided through separate funding for the Principal Investigator or delegate’s expenses in attending these events.
Any publication of research funded by the Cystinosis Research Network must give proper reference to the Cystinosis Research Network. The Principal Investigator must mail a copy of such publications to the Research Committee Chair or Executive Director of the Cystinosis Research Network.
Review Criteria and Assignment of Priority Scores for Research Grant Proposals
A single score is given to each individual proposal. This score is a numerical indicator of the best estimate of scientific merit. Reviewers use their own standards of excellence to arrive at this estimate of scientific quality and program cohesiveness using the set of adjectival descriptors below. Priority should be given to interventional research, both clinical and basic, that will lead to improved treatments for cystinosis. Only applications with significant and substantial scientific merit are scored. All other applications are “Not Recommended for Further Consideration”.
Each reviewer votes on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0, using increments of 0.1.One (1.0) is the best score and 5.0 is the poorest among rated applications. The priority score of the Scientific Review Board is then calculated by averaging the individual priority scores and multiplying the result by 100.Ratings should be reached and recorded independently. Applications not recommended for further consideration are not rated.
Each reviewer is expected to use his or her personal standards of excellence in arriving at a priority score. Merit assessment includes such factors as how the recommended research would advance knowledge given the state-of- the-art in the disciplines involved; the likelihood of accomplishing this; the technical and scientific competence of the investigators; the degree of institutional support; the adequacy of facilities and resources; and the internal organization, administration, and quality control management.
The following shows the correspondence between numerical scores and adjectival descriptions:
1.0 – 1.5 Outstanding
1.6 – 2.0 Excellent
2.1 – 2.5 Very Good
2.6 – 3.5 Good
3.6 – 5.0 Acceptable
From the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Inc. guidelines, adapted from the peer review guidelines used by the National Institutes of Health, effective 1991; updated 5/96
For a list of CRN Scientific Review Board members, click here.