Basic Biology of Aging at the University of Washington

Pilot Study and Junior Faculty Support
in the Basic Biology of Aging

Each year the University of Washington's Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging funds two pilot research projects and one Junior Faculty project in the basic the biology of aging.

2012-2013 Awardees

Pilot Projects:
Richard Gardner, Assistant Professor, Pharmacology
Identifying Changes in the Ubiquitin Proteome with Age

David Marcinek, Research Associate Professor, Radiology
Restoration of Mitochondrial Redox by SS Peptides Reverses Mitochondrial Deficits

Junior Faculty Support:
Alan Herr, Research Assistant Professor, Pathology
Inherited Mutation Burden and Aging in Worms


2013-2014 Award Application Process

One year of support (up to $35,000 each) will be awarded to two Pilot Projects and one Junior Faculty member to fund research projects on basic research in the biology of aging.

The Pilot Project application may either be designed to rapidly pursue a new finding or research opportunity, or to obtain preliminary data that will serve as a basis for a major research grant application.

The Junior Faculty support application can be for the support of ongoing or new work that is as yet without full funding.

Applicant Qualifications

  • Applicants should be investigators at, or affiliated with, the University of Washington or the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
  • Junior Faculty members are particularly encouraged to apply for Pilot Projects and/or Junior Faculty Support (please specify in your cover letter if applying for either or both awards).
  • Postdoctoral fellows cannot serve as Principal Investigators for pilot projects. However, they may receive support via faculty sponsors.
  • Support for projects to study neurodegenerative diseases is infrequently granted, due to overlap with other funding sources.

Deadlines and Award Dates

All Applications Due: March 29, 2013, by 5:00 PM
Anticipated Date of Awards: July 1, 2013
Pilot Study Funding Period: July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014

Application Instructions

An abbreviated NIH-style application with cover letter is used.

Applications must include:

  • Cover letter which addresses the following questions:
    • Relation to the Biology of Aging: How does this research specifically relate to the biology of aging?
    • Need for Funding: Justify why this work cannot be completed with your existing resources.
    • Facilitation of Independent Funding: How will this support facilitate future independent funding?
    • Potential Reviewers: Suggestions of potential outside (non-UW) reviewers (up-to-5). Please include the affiliation and contact information (phone, fax, email) and a list of any individuals to be excluded as potential reviewers.
    • Junior Faculty members should specify if applying for either or both awards.
  • The National Institutes of Health Grant Form PHS 398-RO1 (in 12pt Times New Roman or 11pt Ariel or larger) with the page restrictions described below.
  • University internal applications for human subjects, recombinant DNA, hazardous materials or animal approval, if applicable, should be completed and attached.

Note: A University eGC-1 form is NOT required. 

NIH Form PHS 398-RO1 Page Restrictions

  1. Face Page (does NOT need to be signed by OSP) (NIH Form, Page AA)
  2. Abstract (limited to 250 words) (NIH Form, Page 2)
  3. Budget (Direct Costs Only) (NIH Form, Page 4)
  4. Budget Justifications (Per NIH Guidelines)
  5. Biographical Sketch (NIH Form, Page 6)
  6. Other Support (NIH Form, Page 7)
  7. Research Plan (6 page maximum for sections a-d):
    a. Specific Aims (usually less than or equal to 1 page)
    b. Background and Significance (usually less than or equal to 1 page)
    c. Preliminary Studies (usually less than or equal to 2 pages)
    d. Research Design & Methods (usually less than or equal to 4 pages)
    e. Human Subjects (if applicable)
    f. Vertebrate Animals (if applicable, provide copy)
    g. Literature Cited (use full titles and page numbers)
    h.Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
    i. Consultants

Selection of awards will be based upon scientific merit and program relevance.

Application Submissions

  1. Submit the cover letter and application electronically in PDF or Word format to:
    Rachel Wilsey, wilseyr@uw.edu
     
  2. Submit the original application plus five (5) copies to:
Peter S. Rabinovitch, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Washington
School of Medicine
Health Science Building, K-081
Pathology, Box 357705
1959 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, Washington 98195-7705

For more information, please contact Rachel Wilsey 206-897-1759