The Brinson Foundation

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research is requesting applications from Early Career Investigators that propose innovative research projects. The Brinson Foundation is supportive of significant and potentially impactful projects that may lead to expanded research and additional grant funding. The Foundation is especially interested in funding projects in areas other than the following: Psychiatry/Behavioral health, Food Sciences, Diabetes, Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and qualitative research. These pilot awards are intended to provide resources to enable research projects that may be tangential to a major research focus or to expand the scope of a major project. Funding will be for a period of one year with the possibility of an additional year based on the progress attained during the first funding period.  

Funding amounts and availability 

Who can apply 

• This RFA is limited to Early Career Investigators (Assistant Professor level with no previous R01-level or equivalent funding)
• Awards will be made for impactful and innovative projects in biomedical sciences
• The project must be feasible within the initial year-long project period   
• Applicants are encouraged to identify funding mechanisms (e.g., federal, non-federal, or other specific grant mechanisms) for future funding opportunities that will allow further progress on the proposed project
• Creative interdisciplinary applications are encouraged
• Applications from diverse candidates are encouraged 

How to apply 

Proposal Formatting

Arial 11-point font, 1-inch margins, page limits for individual required sections are listed below.

Proposal Submissions

Proposals are due on October 15, 2022. Please compile the documents into a two-merged PDF documents and submitted to https://redcap.link/2022PPBrinson

Full Proposal Sections Include

File 1

• Cover Page (grant proposal title, and list name(s) of PIs and other significant collaborators)
• Streamlined Biosketches for each co-PI – See biosketch template Include most relevant research background, publication history, and funding history.
• Lay Project Summary/Abstract – limited to 1 page.
• Specific Aims – limited to 1 page.
• Significance and Innovation – limited to 1 page.
• Research Strategy/Approach – limited to 5 pages.
• Facilities and Other Resources - limited to 1 page.

File 2

• Budget Template  
  • Allowable:  Up to 10% effort for PIs, publication costs, consumables/reagents, services, etc.
  • Not allowable: Hardware and other capital expenses, indirect costs, travel.

Proposal Review

A review panel containing noncompeting researchers will review all applications and provide recommendations for funding.

Criteria include

• Significance, innovation, research strategy, and potential impact
• Innovation and feasibility of the proposed project 
• Identification of one or more potential future funding streams