Q: What types of applications will be considered?

A: We invite proposals in basic, clinical, behavioral, substance use, and implementation science research that align with the priorities of the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) and Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) in Missouri that will contribute to the Midwest D-CFAR funded research base.

Q: Do I need to be a Midwest D-CFAR member to be eligible to apply?

A: Yes, but applying for membership is quick and easy!

Q: Can I submit multiple applications to the same award mechanism?

A: No. Please submit one application per principal investigator.

Q: Is pilot funding open to partners outside WashU and SLU?

A: You can submit in collaboration with researchers from other institutions, but we cannot accept applications directly from researchers outside of WashU or SLU. The Partner Pilot Award supports investigator pairs, with one person from an academic institution and one from a community-based organization or public health agency. If you have collaborators that fit this description, we highly encourage you to apply for the Partner Pilot Award. 

Q: Where should I send my letter of intent?

A: Letters of intent should be emailed directly to dev@midwestdcfar.org.

Q: What should I include in my letter of intent?

A: Letters of intent should include:

• Descriptive title of proposed research

• Name and email address of the Principal Investigator(s)

• Names of other key personnel

• Participating institutions

• Title of the funding opportunity

Q: Does my partner from a community-based organization/public health agency need to provide an NIH biosketch?

A: If partners do not already have an NIH bioksetch, we will create it for them. Please send their CV to dev@midwestdcfar.org. Partners will need to set up an NIH eRA Commons ID to include in their biosketch, and their organizations must be registered in SAM.

Q: Do the specific aims and research plan need to focus on just what is to be accomplished in the one year of the pilot award?

A: We encourage you to use our pilot funding mechanism to gather pilot data for NIH grants. Please make sure to include how the pilot funding will support an external opportunity. However, the Significance and Approach should focus on the pilot award. 

Q: Are there any parameters for the budget/budget justification?

A: Please only include direct costs in your budget and budget justification. Additionally, the following items are not allowable: General Automobile and Employee Liability Insurance (GAEL), administrative support, and patient care. Salary requested for the PI and all project personnel should be well-justified with respect to project activities and the time necessary to complete them. For all personnel, clearly identify any discrepancies between the actual effort (i.e. real percent time) the individual will contribute to the project, versus the amount of salary effort they are requesting. This is particularly important for personnel/PI's who expect to contribute project effort with little or no salary, such as those whose salary is above the NIH base salary cap.

Clearly and fully justify all costs including benefit rates and indirect costs. If the proposed study is closely related or a sub-study of existing funded research listed in the applicant’s bio sketch, clarify the relationship between the two projects and confirm that there is no overlap in funding.

Q: Are letters of support required?

A: Letters of support are highly encouraged, but not required.

Q: What should be included in letters of support?

A: Letters of support should show general endorsement for the project from a mentor, department chair, colleague, etc. It should detail:

• Their relationship to you

• Why they believe the project is important and has potential for success

• Why your skills and background make you well-suited to conduct this research

• The potential for the project to lead to larger, externally funded research projects