Uytengsu-Hamilton 22q11 Neuropsychiatry Research Awards Program

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Thursday, October 1, 2020 - 5:00 PM PST

The Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) Uytengsu-Hamilton 22q11 Neuropsychiatry Research Awards Program aims to promote innovative, transdisciplinary research to improve the neurocognitive outcomes and behavioral symptoms of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome with immediate (within 5 years) and long-term impact.

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic disorder caused by a microdeletion on chromosome 22. The disorder is associated with a broad spectrum of symptoms including immune dysfunction, congenital heart disease, palatal abnormalities and endocrine dysfunction. Children with 22q11.2DS are at increased risk for developmental delay, learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders including attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety and schizophrenia.

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The program will provide up to 2 years of funding that could best (or only) be performed by researchers from different disciplines. The program will support a wide range of scientific approaches with the potential to advance our understanding of neuropsychiatric risk in 22q11.2DS in the following areas:

  1.  Basic and clinical translational research, including but not limited to stem cell biology, neuroscience, genomics and novel therapeutics (up to a maximum of $150K/year, requests at a lower level of funding are welcome)
  2. Data science, bioinformatics and integrative medicine (up to a maximum $100K/year, requests at a lower level of funding are welcome)  

In addition, proposals addressing neuroimmunology, brain metabolism, microbiome and gut-brain axis research are of particular interest in this funding cycle. Consideration of both sexes should be included in the study design and analyses. Research should be generalizable and have the potential for benefit to all individuals with 22q11.2DS.

A multi-PI approach is strongly encouraged for this initiative where at least two of the lead investigators are from different disciplines. Collaborations between basic and physician scientists are particularly encouraged. Single-PI applications will be considered if the scientific rationale is compelling. Proposals should demonstrate a clear potential for the research to generate robust preliminary data for future applications to external funding agencies.

This program will fund innovative projects in the following categories: 

  • Category A:  Research at Stanford University (up to 4 awards)
  • Category B:  Research external to Stanford University (up to 1 award)           

Key Dates

Action Date
Letter of Intent Deadline Thursday, October 1, 2020, 5:00 PM PST
Full Proposal (by invitation) Deadline Thursday, January 7, 2021, 5:00 PM PST
Notification of Awards
 Monday, February 15, 2021
Award Start Date Monday, March 1, 2021

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Thursday, October 1, 2020 - 5:00 PM PST

*Submit your letter of intent (LOI) to rpanizzo@stanford.edu with the program name in the email subject line. Category A applicants: You do not need to submit your LOI via your RPM. 

FULL PROPOSAL (by invitation) DEADLINE: January 7, 2021 - 5:00 PM PST

Shortlisted applicants will be notified to proceed with full proposals by November 6th 2020.

Applicants selected to submit a full proposal will be required to give a 10-minute presentation to the Stanford MCHRI Uytengsu-Hamilton 22q11 Neuropsychiatry Research Awards Program Scientific Advisory Board and Program Sponsor and Founder in February 2021. 

Notification of proposals selected for funding is anticipated the week of February 15, 2021.

Project start date no later than March 1, 2021.  The performance period is for no longer than 2 years.

Forms for Applicants

Funding Amount

Total award is (I) up to $150,000 / year or (II) up to $100,000 / year for up to two years. Applicants may request support for personnel (undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral students, research assistants, associates, or faculty) and research-related expenses.

Funds cannot be used for student tuition or fees, computer equipment, office supplies, ITCC communications, journal subscriptions, membership dues, poster presentations, abstract submissions, or any indirect research costs.

General Eligibility

Category A: Eligible applicants must be Stanford faculty holding Clinician Educator (CE), University Tenure Line (UTL), Research (NTL-Research), or Medical Center line (MCL) positions for the duration of the award.  Visiting scholars are not eligible to serve as PI or Co-PI.  They may serve as collaborators or sub-investigators. Applications may include co-investigators from other research organizations. Applicants may not be funded by another Stanford MCHRI 22q11.2DS Neuropsychiatry Research Awards Program award at the time of application (neither PI or Co-PIs). Resubmission proposals, and new proposals from applicants not funded in previous cycles, are eligible.
 

Category B: Eligible applicants must be faculty members at an eligible organization and have a contract of employment for the duration of the award. Eligible organizations include US and non-US, public and private higher education institutions and academic medical centers. Contact the Program Director prior to submitting a letter of intent to confirm eligibility.

Awards

Visit the MCHRI Uytengsu-Hamilton 22q11 Neuropsychiatry Research Awards page.

Contact

Please contact Rachael Panizzo, PhD, Program Director at rpanizzo@stanford.edu or 650-721-6720 with any questions.