MINDSOURCE Supplemental Opportunity to Encourage Participation in Brain Injury Research by Under-Represented Researchers

This opportunity has closed. More details about the awardee will be available on this page at a later date. The regular research grant cycle will pick back up in the fall of 2023.

Purpose:   Through its Research Program, MINDSOURCE supports the acquisition and advancement of new knowledge regarding brain injury, to improve the evidence base upon which the care of persons with brain injury is predicated, and to encourage the development and growth of the brain injury research field in Colorado. MINDSOURCE provides grant funding to enhance Colorado’s leadership in brain injury research. The purpose of this opportunity is to encourage participation by researchers from groups that have been under-represented in research.

Funding Mechanism:  This request for applications will result in a single award of $30,000 to fund an investigator/project up to 1 year in scope. Investigators are encouraged to consider use of existing data sets. Given the scope of the funding, proposals may support increased participation by the investigator in established research projects. If the investigator will be participating in an established project, clearly show how MINDSOURCE funds will add to their existing activities and career development. 

Eligibility:  Applicants must be from an under-represented group, as defined here.

Priority will be given to applicants with lived experience with brain injury and those who are early in their career, defined as students, residents, post-doctoral or other fellows, or Investigators within 7 years of their terminal degree, or have not received funding as a Primary Investigator.

The applicant should live and conduct their research in the State of Colorado.

Application Process:  Applicants are required to submit an application of no more than 3 pages by December 1st, 2022.  Applications must be submitted via email. Applications will be reviewed by the Brain Injury Trust Fund Board and the award will be announced no later than December 21, 2022.

Funding Priorities:  The central priority of this award is to encourage long-term participation in brain injury research by investigators from under-represented groups. This will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • Investigator: Is the investigator from an under-represented group?  Are they likely to successfully complete the proposed activities and continue to work in brain injury research? Are the proposed activities likely to enhance the career opportunities for the investigator?
  • Project: Does the project support future activity by the investigator in brain injury research?  Is it feasible?
  • Environment: Does the environment support the career advancement of the investigator?

Use of Funds: Funds may be used to support stipends or salary for the Investigator. Funds may support research or statistical support, research materials, or research-related travel. A maximum of 8% of the total cost may be used to support in direct costs. Funds will be in the form of reimbursement, upon receipt of invoice.
Budget Template

Presentation of Results:  Successful applicants will submit a final report and will briefly present study results to the Colorado Brain Injury Trust Fund Board at the completion of the funding period.

Formatting Instructions: Applications should be composed using 11-point font with margins no smaller than 0.5 inches.  Page limits do not include references.

Application Instructions:

Proposals of no more than 3 pages should including the following information:

  • Specific aims: Please list the main goal or objective of the study and the key specific aims that you will use to accomplish this goal.  Please list any hypotheses that will be tested.
  • Background and Significance: Describe the gap in current knowledge that will be addressed and how this project will impact individuals with brain injury.  Please describe the impact of this project on the applicant’s plans for a future career in brain injury research.  Include preliminary or pilot data as applicable.
  • Project Methods and Timeline: Please describe the Investigator’s proposed research activities.
  • Applicant Information: Provide the applicant’s past training and accomplishments, and future career goals. Describe how these funds will support future goals.
  • Human Subjects Assurances: Describe the procedures to ensure informed consent, patient protection, data quality assurance and confidentiality for research subjects and their data.  
  • Institutional support: Please describe any funding, resources, mentorship, protected time or data supplied by the institution to ensure the completion of this project and the ultimate career success of the applicant.
  • References (not included in page limit)

Please submit application via email to cdhs_mindsource@state.co.us with subject line: Supplemental Research Funding Application. Questions may also be submitted to this email account.

Application checklist:

  • Cover Page
  • Project abstract (500 word limit) to be published for successful applicant
  • Project summary of no more than 3 pages
  • NIH biosketch for the applicant and all key personnel
  • Letters of support from any relevant contributors
  • IRB protocols or data source descriptions, if applicable: limited to one paragraph
  • Budget (template)

Key Dates:

Request for Applications Posted 9/30/2022
Q&A Opportunity for Applicants

Responses/Notes from Q&A Posted Here

10/14/2022 at 8:30am via Google Meet

 

Applications Due 12/1/2022 by 3:00pm
Award Announced 12/21/2022
Project Start Date 1/1/2023
Interim Progress Report Due 7/31/2023
Project End Date 12/31/2023 
Final Report Due 1/31/2024