Population and Laboratory Based Sciences

Institutional Program Unifying Population and Laboratory Based Sciences

Program Application

Applications for this program must be submitted electronically through a web-based grant application system called proposalCENTRAL.

After reading the information below, you may APPLY NOW.

Program guidelines can be found in the program brochure (PDF).

Burroughs Wellcome Fund must receive the following, by electronic submission, by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, March 3, 2008:

1. The Grant Application/Signature Page Form
2. The Scientific Abstract
3. The Biosketches of the Co-directors

A full application is by invitation only. We expect that most institutions submitting a letter of intent will be invited to submit full applications.

Application Information
Application Sections
Using proposalCENTRAL
Completing the Application Online
Signature Page Form
Other Information and Instructions
Troubleshooting Applications
Apply for the Grant

Application Information

BWF requires all applications for this program to be submitted electronically. Applications not submitted electronically will be returned and not reviewed. Applicants must apply through proposalCENTRAL, a Web-based grant application system, using links provided below.

Applicants are also encouraged to review the description of the application sections and detailed application instructions listed below, and downloadable on proposalCENTRAL, prior to beginning the online application.

Applications submitted electronically without also submitting a signed, scanned, and uploaded Signature Page form (two pages) in additon to the uploaded Biosketches and Scientific Abstract by the deadline will not be reviewed. Mailed or faxed copies are not acceptable. Unless otherwise noted, all documents listed must be submitted to complete the application and must be uploaded to proposalCENTRAL as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files.

Application Sections

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Grant Application/Signature Page
Not all data fields available on the electronic form will be used.
Information on this form is obtained from the following sections on proposalCENTRAL:

• Title Page
• Applicant Information (An applicant is the co-director whose institution will administer the award)
• Nominating Institution and Contacts
• Co-Directors’ Contact Information

Proposal for Letter of Intent (LOI)

Abstract (400 words or less) –Summarize the proposed training program, including its proposed scientific focus, the special value to be gained by its cross training of students, and the desired outcome for those trained by the program. Include the title of the proposal as well as the names of co-directors to be located at each of the participating departments or groups. A template is provided on proposalCENTRAL and must be uploaded as a PDF file.

Biosketch/CV – A biosketch/CV of the population sciences director and one of the laboratory based biological sciences director must accompany the LOI. A NIH-style biosketch template is provided and should not exceed four pages. Both biosketches must be uploaded as PDF files.

The Grant Application/Signature Page Form, the abstract, and the biosketches must be electronically submitted by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, March 3, 2008. A full application is by invitation only. We expect that most institutions submitting a letter of intent will be invited to submit full applications.

Full Application

Grant Application/Signature Page Form
Upload the signed and scanned Grant Application/Signature Page Form that was submitted with the LOI.

Abstract
Upload the abstract that was submitted with the LOI.

Biosketches
Provide biosketches describing the background, training, and future career pathways of three imaginary “typical trainees" from the proposed program.

Budget
Include costs for training (number of students and costs per student); career development; codirectors and program administrators. A template is provided.

Evaluation Plan (one page)
Provide plans for short-term and long-term evaluation of the program's outcomes, especially at training students who will bridge the gaps between the involved fields. A template is provided.

Institutional Proposal (up to seven pages)

Upload proposal that includes:

• Rationale/vision for the training program, including why the involved groups are uniquely suited for training students to take on the problem that is the program’s focus.
• Program placement, including how the proposed program fits into the overall strategy of the involved institution(s) and how the program will be administered, including financially.
• Student experience, including strategies for recruiting and training students, core curricula, advanced courses, journal clubs, informal educational opportunities, and shared mentoring. Included should also be a description of the structure and focus of qualifying exams and how they will differ from those of students taking more traditional paths. Proposals should specifically address strategies for training students as true cross-disciplinary scientists fully skilled at both of the disciplines in which they have trained.
• Institutional commitment(s), including plans for long-term program evaluation and continuation.

Letters of Support

• Provide letters from chairs of each department involved in the collaboration spelling out commitment to the program and resources available. These letters should also detail how the proposed program fits into the department’s and institution’s overall plan and priorities and provide details of other support available or intended for the program.
• Multi-institutional proposals should also include letters from dean-level authorities at each member institution providing detailed descriptions of the institutions’ commitments to the program, relevant past history (if any) of inter-institutional collaborations, and resources available.

Roster

Include roster of scientists involved in the proposed collaboration, highlighting among them those that have agreed to serve as mentors for students.

Timeline and Plan (not more than two pages)

Submit clear timeline and plan for the proposed program’s launch, recruitment of faculty involvement, recruitment of students, and development of the program over time. A template is provided.

Training Plan (not more than four pages)

Provide plan for training that, among its other features, will connect students formally with a faculty member from at least one population-based and one laboratory-based approach involved in the partnership. Students must be truly co-mentored, not trained in one discipline with input from the other. A template is provided.

Successful budget proposals must communicate how the proposed program will stimulate development of lasting ties between institutions, departments, or centers which may have different cultures, expectations of their graduate students, and expectations of the student/faculty relationship. Proposals must make very clear how the graduate education offered through the program will shape a true, deep understanding of the involved population and basic science approaches. Of particular concern is that students trained between two disciplines may emerge unprepared for a productive academic career in either. Successful proposals will provide a convincing argument that the proposing institute's trainees will avoid this. Student experiences in such programs should include both intellectual training and active working use of ideas, techniques, and technologies from both approaches to bridge the gap between them.

Applicants must register at proposalCENTRAL and create a professional profile, including a unique user ID and password. Demographic data in this section is for statistical use only. If a professional profile has already been created, the applicant must verify the information for accuracy before submitting a completed application.

Applicants are not required to complete the online application in one sitting. The application may be accessed and changed multiple times as needed prior to the application deadline. However, the application cannot be changed once the deadline has passed or the application has been submitted.

Completing the Application Online

Applications must be completed electronically via proposalCENTRAL and include the sections below. Faxed documents will not be accepted.

Sections requiring data entry:

For the LOI :
□ Title Page
□ Applicant Information
□ Nominating Institution and Contacts
□ Co-directors/Contact Information

For the Full Application:
□ Title Page
□ Applicant Information
□ Nominating Institution and Contacts
□ Supporters

For the LOI:
□ Scientific Abstract (one page limit; template provided)
□ Biosketches/CV of Co-Directors (four page limit; template provided)

For the Full Application:
□ Scientific Abstract (upload the abstract that was submitted with the LOI)
□ Biosketches of Three Imaginary Typical Trainees
□ Budget
□ Evaluation Plan (one page, template provided)
□ Institutional Proposal (up to seven pages)
□ Letters of Support
□ Roster of Involved Scientists
□ Timeline and Plan
□ Training Plan

Section requiring printing, scanning,and uploading for both the LOI and Full Application:

□ Signature Page form (electronic file with signatures and contact information)

Signature Page Form

Applicants must print the Signature Page form, obtain the relevant signatures, scan in the signed form, and upload the scanned form to proposalCENTRAL to be recieved by Burroughs Wellcome Fund by 4 p.m., March 3, 2008. Prior to printing the Signature Page form, applicants should have completed at least the following sections on proposalCENTRAL, since the information will be automatically populated on the form:

• Title Page
• Applicant Information
• Institution and Contacts
• Co-Directors/Contact Information

For additional information on required signatures, see Printing the Signature Page and Obtaining Signatures.

Other Information and Instructions

• Instructions for Application Sections
• Program FAQs
• Program Brochure
• Printing the Signature Page and Obtaining Signatures
• Customizing Your Browser to Work with proposalCENTRAL
• Prepare and Submit a Proposal
• Registering Your Professional Profile
• Registering Your Institution
• Formatting Text and Images in Documents
• Scientific Disciplines Descriptions

Troubleshooting Applications

If there are remaining questions, BWF staff is available to assist you. For questions regarding eligibility, policies, and terms and conditions for this program:

Jean Kramarik, M.S., Senior Program Associate
Phone: 919-991-5112

For help with the electronic application process:
proposalCENTRAL Help Desk
Phone: 800-875-2562 x 227

The links below will redirect you to proposalCENTRAL’s web site which hosts BWF’s electronic application:

proposalCENTRAL Home (for applicants and grantees)

proposalCENTRAL Login (for applicants and grantees)