Advanced Research Cooperation In Environmental Health (ARCH)

The deadline for letters of intent has passed. No additional applications will be accepted

Call for Collaborative (FIU/UM) Pilot Project Proposals via
ADVANCED RESEARCH COOPERATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (ARCH)
Letter of Intent Due: December 17, 2004
Proposal Due Date: February 18, 2005
EAC Presentation Day: April 15, 2005

Background: Florida International University and the University of Miami’s Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center (MFBSC) have a collaborative program (ARCH) which has been sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) since August of 2001. The research focus of the ARCH program is “aquatic toxins and human health”, this theme encompasses algal toxins and trace metals. The ARCH program supports several pilot projects for a period of 36 months. The intention is to provide support to permit investigators to gather preliminary data which will allow them to apply for research grants through NIEHS via the R01, R03 or R15 type mechanism. As part of the ARCH program, a core facility has been developed in which the culturing of toxic microalgae and the isolation of marine and freshwater biotoxins is performed, as well as a state of the art laboratory housing $150,000 of new equipment. All ARCH faculties have access to this facility to support their research. An integral part of the ARCH grant is the support of Pilot Projects which utilize the Core resources of this program, and which seek to either develop new research activities addressing the mission of NIEHS, or which build upon existing programs in environmental health sciences related to the marine and freshwater environments. Projects that have been supported by the ARCH program are;

• “New Toxins from Marine and Freshwater Algae” Kathleen Rein (FIU) and Robert Gawley (UM)
• “Molecular Approaches to Monitor Toxic Dinoflagellates” Chris Sinigalliano, Maria Guerrero (FIU) and Jack Fell (UM)
• “MD/NMR Characterization of the Internal Motions of Peptides” David Chatfield (FIU) and TK Harris (UM)
• “Impacts of Arsenic from CCA Treated Wood within Marine and Terrestrial Environments, Evaluating the Toxicity of Leachates” Yong Cai (FIU) and Helena Solo-Gabriel (UM)
• “Developmental Toxins from Cyanobacteria” Miro Gantar (FIU), Mike Schmale (UM)
• “Oxidative Degradations of Microcystins” Kevin O’Shea (FIU) and Pat Walsh (UM)
• “Synthesis of Toxic Metal Ligand Sensors” Konstantinos Kavallieratos (UM) and Frank Milero (UM)
• “Polyketide Synthase Bacteria and Karenia brevis” Frank Jochem (FIU) and Larry Brand (UM)

During the fall of 2005 the competitive renewal for the ARCH program will be submitted. A second core facility will be established which will support projects related to the trace metal theme. Up to four new pilot projects may be submitted with the competitive renewal. The maximum allowable for new pilot project is $50,000/yr for up to 36 months. Additional support for pilot projects can be derived from the core facilities. Potential pilot project recipients should coordinate closely with the core facility directors prior to submission of the grant application to facilitate support of new projects. Competition is open to all FIU faculties. However, all FIU applicants must:

• Have a University of Miami collaborator who has significant peer reviewed research project grant support that is relevant to the NIEHS mission (see http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/into.htm)

• Submit a grant application (R01, R03 or R15) to NIH before the mid-program review (May, 2010). Participate in, and attend the ARCH seminar series.

• Join the Internal Advisory Committee (IAC) for the ARCH program and attend the IAC meeting (3 to 4 times per year).

• Attend an in-house grant writing workshop

• Attend the annual External Advisory Committee (EAC) meetings at FIU.

Proposal Preparation Guidelines: Proposals will follow the PHS 398 format including a detailed budget for the first year. Page limitations are the same as those of an R01 type application. However, since pilot projects are generally of smaller scope relative to a typical R01 application, it is anticipated that these applications would be significantly shorter. The average length of pilot project applications funded in the past was 12 pages (including Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Preliminary Studies and Experimental Design). Two additional sections of up to 1/2 page in length each should be included after Methods; the first entitled Relevance to Environmental Health Sciences, the second ARCH and Center Core utilization. Small equipment items, salary, travel and supplies are allowed expenses. Proposals requiring the use of animals or human subjects must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate institutional committees prior to beginning the award, but not prior to the review process. Complete the application by including a 2-page NIH PHS-398 Biographical Sketch for the PI and the Co-PI(s).

Letter of intent. A letter of intent should be submitted prior to the preparation of a full proposal. The letter should be no more than two pages. Describe the project in broad terms and how it relates to the ARCH theme. Identify the UM collaborator. Applicants should discuss their project with the appropriate core facility directors prior to submission of the letter. Potential applicants will be selected based on the relevance of proposed project to the ARCH theme, scientific merit and the qualifications of the co-PI. Decisions will be announced on January 2, 2005.

Proposal Review: Full proposals will be due on February 15, 2005. Proposals will be subject to an initial review by the ARCH Internal Advisory Committee and professional proofreading and editing if selected. Applicants will be expected to attend the ARCH EAC meeting in April of 2005. Pilot project applications will be submitted with the competitive renewal.

It is highly advisable to contact the ARCH Core Leaders or Investigators regarding core utilization or collaboration prior to submission. Proposals which utilize an ARCH Facility Core and/or develop or extend a collaboration with a current ARCH member will be given priority. Proposals should be consistent with the program theme of aquatic toxins.

Kathleen Rein, Toxic Algae
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
(305)348-6682
reink@fiu.edu

Yong Cai, Trace Metals
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
(305)348-6210
cai@fiu.edu