Funding-NIH diversity grants; deadline Jan. 26, 2009

The NIH Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) provides institutional grants to support integrated developmental activities for students from groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research to increase their preparation and skills as they advance academically in the pursuit and successful completion of the Ph.D. degree. The funding mechanism for this award is the R25 or research education grant mechanism.

NIH encourages applicants for these grants to develop a partnership with funded T32 training programs to facilitate the networking and transition of IMSD students to T32 programs. The educational experiences proposed in the IMSD application may complement the T32 activities, but they must be distinct and separate. The IMSD Program can support activities that are designed to improve reading comprehension and communication skills, time-management, group learning opportunities, independent library or bench research skills, interdisciplinary or advanced courses where students learn quantitative and critical thinking skills to analyze biological and biomedical problems, and opportunities to meet and discuss career choices with appropriate role models. Total project period may not exceed four years. Direct costs are limited to $350,000 annually for institutions with programs primarily for baccalaureate degree students, and $550,000 annually for programs that include a significant Ph.D. student component.

Additional details and guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-553.html

Because NIH limits an institution to one proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to Ms. Kris Hobson (hobson@email.uky.edu), Office of the Provost, and a copy to their dean by Monday, January 26, 2009:

The names and departments of the Project Director, evaluator, and other participating personnel
A brief description of the proposed project (3 pages) including targeted students (number/undergraduate/graduate), project goals, specific measurable objectives, integration with existing T32 training program(s), and proposed research education program activities

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The individual selected to be UK’s applicant will be notified in time to prepare the proposal for electronic submission via Grants.gov by the deadline of February 23, 2009.