Discovery Acceleration Initiative

The UC College of Medicine launched in June 2012 the Discovery Acceleration Initiative—a $1 million effort aimed at strengthening the college’s position with major funders of biomedical research.

The initiative is supported by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the College of Medicine's dean's office.

This initiative, through four unique programs, will support a wide range of faculty investigators: from junior investigators needing assistance with refining grant proposals and gathering preliminary data, to more established investigators needing access to core facilities and short-term funding to bridge the gap between grant application and grant award.

Following are details about the four programs of the Discovery Acceleration Initiative: 

College of Medicine Study Section
Run in similar fashion to study sections at the National Institutes of Health, the College of Medicine Study Section is aimed at supporting the refinement of scientific projects and grantsmanship prior to official submission of a grant application to a funding agency, in order to improve grant-writing success for investigators. Study Section reviews will be conducted in three cycles to coincide with major NIH grant deadlines, although grant submissions to other agencies will also be accepted for review. As an added benefit, up to two meritorious applications reviewed in each cycle will receive a $10,000 award to support the investigator’s research program.

Round Three Notices of Particpation Due April 1, 2013 
Download Details (PDF)

Just-In-Time Core Funds Grant Program
The Just-In-Time Core Funds Grant Program is designed to support investigators’ need for data through the use of the college’s core facilities. The program will also help to strengthen core facilities by subsidizing their operations through increased use. Managed by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training (CCTST) , the Just-In-Time Core Funds Grant Program will provide awards of up to $7,500 for core facility use. Appliants must be members of the CCTST. Membership is open to anyone and can be completed on the CCTST website.

Submit an application (DOC) (No deadline: rolling program)

Provost’s Pilot Research Program
With operatoinal support of the CCTST, this program will provide seed money necessary to fuel innovative projects at the college and help our investigators develop competitive new grant applications.The Provost’s Pilot Research Program will fund up to 10 projects yearly at up to $40,000 each.

Dean’s Bridge Funding Program
The Dean’s Bridge Funding Program has provided support in the past to researchers as they make their way through the NIH granting process. Researchers with a solid history of NIH funding who are in the application or grant renewal process will continue to be eligible for this funding. The top priority will be to bridge investigators though the NIH review period when a well-scored application is likely to be funded. Funding will also be available for investigators who have an unscored application pending, but a strong track record that supports a likelihood of success.The Dean’s Bridge Funding Program will make available between $30,000 to $50,000 each for four to six qualified applicants each year. Awards will be made over two cycles. 

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