Funding-Limited Submission – NIH Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Initiative (U54); January 22, 2014

The NIH encourages institutions that seek to engage undergraduate students in innovative mentored research training programs to submit applications for cooperative agreement awards through the NIH Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) initiative, one of three new Common Fund initiatives that together aim to enhance diversity in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social sciences research workforce. Addressing a major leakage point in the research workforce pipeline, BUILD awards are intended to support the design and implementation of innovative programs, strategies and approaches to transform undergraduate research training and mentorship. BUILD awards will also support institutional and faculty development to further strengthen undergraduate research training environments.

BUILD awards are intended to stimulate creative new approaches for training undergraduate students with a broad range of biomedical and behavioral research interests. Accordingly, BUILD institutions are expected to cast a wide net for student participants and offer innovative research training and mentorship activities across a broad range of relevant disciplines. Applicant institutions may, at their discretion, partner with other institutions to broaden the potential pool of participating students and maximize opportunities for research training and faculty and staff development. The applicant (Primary) institution will have responsibility for the conduct and oversight of the award, along with the flexibility to determine the optimal configuration with its partners (if applicable) to have the maximum impact. Partnerships involving the Primary institution and one or more additional institutions among the types described below are encouraged, but not required.

The NIH Common Fund intends to commit $30 million to fund approximately ten awards, contingent on the number of meritorious applications received and availability of funds. Applications may request up to $3.0 million (total costs) in the first year. Applications may propose budget increases in year 2 through year 4 to support additional BUILD students, not to exceed $5.3 million (total costs) in any one year. Because the nature and scope of the proposed projects may vary among institutions, it is anticipated that the size of each award will also vary

Additional program information is available in the complete announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-13-016.html

Because NIH limits an institution to one application, UK has established an internal selection process and a deadline for receipt of applications. Researchers wanting to submit a proposal to the BUILD Initiative are to send the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, January 22, 2014:

· The names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel

· Names and contact information of participating institutions (if any)

· Project description (2-3 pages) – describe the specific aims for the proposed BUILD project as a whole; the planned activities and how they will enhance UK’s capacity for undergraduate research training; past success of the team in engaging science students into research careers and preparing them to be successful in research

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. Deadlines are February 18, 2014 - optional letter of intent and March 18, 2014 – complete application.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).