Deadline
for Mailing Applications:
December 1 Project
Year:
July 1 - June 30 Notification
to Applicant of Funding Decision:
June Grant
Payments Schedule:
June (First payment sent with notification)
November
April
I.
GENERAL POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES
The Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) awards grants
once a year for the project period of July 1-June 30.
A grant represents a mutual joining of interests on
the part of DRF, the grantee, and his/her associated
institution in the pursuit of a common objective—furthering
hearing and balance science. Specifically, applications
will be considered for research directed to investigation
of all areas of the auditory and vestibular systems
including anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, genetics,
pharmacology and pathology; both fundamental and clinical
research proposals are welcome. DRF grants up to $25,000 per year for each research
project. Continuation of funding from year to year requires
re-application; the process is competitive and depends
on significant progress as demonstrated in yearly progress
reports. Third year applications will not be honored
except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g., the recruitment
of human subjects). Priority is given to new investigators
in the field of hearing and balance and to projects
that are likely to open new lines of inquiry. New and
innovative projects developed by established scientists
will also be considered; however, established investigators
may only apply for one year of support.
Applicants should demonstrate experience and strong
research training as well as sufficient institutional
support (facilities, time, and mentorship) to carry
out the proposed work. Applicants should hold the M.D.,
Ph.D., or equivalent degree(s) as well as a faculty
or post-doctoral appointment. Graduate students are
not eligible for DRF grants. Applications for research
continuation or bridge funding should not be submitted. DRF will grant funds only for research directly related to the proposed DRF project. Principal investigators concurrently receiving research support of ( >$75,000 ) from any other (combined) source(s) are ineligible for DRF support. Funding of pending awards during the DRF award period may necessitate the return of the balance of DRF award. The Council of Scientific Trustees (CST) in conjunction
with the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) of the CST
will consider the subject of the research, the quality
of its design including the data collection and evaluation
components, its potential for significant advance in
basic knowledge or clinical application, the available
facilities and personnel at the institution in which
the research will be carried out, and the qualifications
of the investigators. In accepting a research grant, the institution and
the principal investigator are responsible for using
grant funds only for those purposes set forth in the
application and approved in DRF award letter. II. SUPPORT
OF A RESEARCH PROJECT: TERMS & CONDITIONS
A. Approved Project: This is an identified activity
or program approved by DRF for support for a specified
period of time. B. Project Year: This is the one year period for which
funding has been recommended and given. Following the
first project year, applicants may apply for continuation
of funding for a second project year. Third year applications
will not be honored except in extraordinary circumstances
(e.g., the recruitment of human subjects). If requested
before the end of the initial project year by the principal
investigator and approved by DRF, the project year may
be extended, up to one year, without additional funding.
No additional extension beyond one year will be approved. C. Project Period: This is the estimated length of
time that it will take to complete the research project;
it maybe one year and cannot exceed three years. D. Awards: An Award will be made in an amount estimated
to be needed for one project year up to a maximum of
$25,000. Upon re-application, continuation from year
to year is dependent on significant progress as demonstrated
in yearly progress reports. Third year applications
will not be honored except in extraordinary circumstances
(e.g., the recruitment of human subjects). E. Available Funds and Budget
The number of applications funded will depend on DRF’s
available funds. 1. Grant funds may only be used for the direct costs
of carrying out approved projects such as:
a) salaries of technical and supporting personnel;
b) limited alteration and renovation of existing facilities;
c) purchase of equipment;
d) supplies including drugs and services, and
e) other specifically authorized expenses as may be
essential to carrying out the project.
If an institution requires an allocation for "indirect costs" that amount may not exceed $2500 (10% of the total grant award); regardless of indirect amount, the DRF award will not exceed $25,000.
2. Grant funds may not be used for the following:
a) salary of principal investigator, co-investigator
or individuals with a doctorate degree;
b) travel;
c) living expenses;
d) printing costs;
e) reprints;
f) overhead costs exceeding 10% of project costs, and
g) public information, education programs or training
costs (including tuition) 3. The Council of Scientific Trustees and the Scientific
Review Committee of DRF will evaluate and approve the
proposed itemized project budgets. 4. DRF expects that the principal investigator, in
authorizing expenditures for the research project, will
follow the budget proposed and approved within the application.
The investigator may transfer dollars from one budgeted
category to another with specific approval from his/her
Institution within the categories specified by DRF.
DRF should be notified immediately and, a revised budget
with justification of the changes as well as the approval
from the Institution, using NIH guidelines for such
approval, should be sent to DRF. Any proposed change
in the direction of the project must first receive written
approval of DRF. 5. All obligations of grant funds must be incurred
within the project year. A detailed expenditures report
(see “Expenditures Report” at www.drf.org)
must be submitted to DRF three months after the project
year’s completion. Unless otherwise authorized
by DRF, unexpended funds must be returned to DRF with
the expenditures report. F. Publications & Publicity 1. Investigators are expected to make the results of
their research promptly available to the scientific
public. Acknowledgment of DRF support must be made when
findings are reported to scientific audiences or scientific
journals or when publicity is given to a project. 2. Publications resulting from work supported in whole
or in part by DRF must contain a credit line to that
effect. Two copies should be submitted to DRF. 3. When a project is awarded, DRF has the right to
publish its abstract and results, when available, on
its website, in its Annual Report, and through other
public information vehicles. G. Progress Reports 1. Progress Report for Second Year Applicants
This must be submitted in accordance with the instructions
accompanying the application form for continuing grant
support. The Scientific Review Committee will not consider
continuation lacking this report. 2. Terminal Report
This must be submitted three months after the termination
of grant support using the “Terminal Progress
Report” found at www.drf.org. III. APPLICATIONS,
NOTIFICATION & PAYMENT PROCEDURES A. New Project Applications & Continuation Progress
Reports
These must be submitted using the current forms available
at the DRF Office. B. New Project Applications Complete new project applications must be received
at DRF by December 1. 1. A new project application should specify the proposed
duration of the project, as well as: a) facilities, staff and other research funds available
to the investigators; b) a proposed budget, with purpose stated for each
expense; c) qualifications of investigators and other personnel;
and d) any special information needed to establish eligibility
for a DRF grant. C. Continuation Applications Applications for grant support for a second year (Third
year applications require extreme justification) must
be received at DRF by December 1. 1. Such applications must have attached: a) a detailed budget for the next year; if different
from prior application; b) a progress report on the work done; c) a list of publications including abstracts and manuscripts
submitted for publication; d) information regarding changes of facilities, staff
and other funds available to the principal investigator; e) changes in qualifications of investigator and other
personnel; and f) any special information needed to establish eligibility
for continuing support. D. Conflict of Interest: An institution applying for
a grant from DRF must submit, with its application,
a copy of the institution’s written guidelines
for its staff relating to conflict of interest. The
guidelines should be sent with the first year application.
Unless different, guidelines do not need to be included
in second or third year applications. E. Other Funding: An application to DRF for grant support
of a research project shall state whether the same project
is receiving support from another source, and whether
an application has been submitted to another source
for such funding.
If, after application to DRF, or funding by DRF, this
same project receives support from another granting
agency, the principal investigator and the grantee institution
shall promptly notify DRF of such funding and make provisions
to return any unexpended DRF funds. F. Notification to Applicants: In June, DRF will notify
each principal investigator whether or not his/her project
has received a grant for the upcoming project year,
and if so, the amount of that grant. G. Payments: Grants will be paid in three equal payments
during June, November, and April.
IV. PROJECT
CHANGES
A. Transfers: No research grant can
be transferred from one institution to another without
the written approval of DRF. 1. If a principal investigator wishes to have such
transfer made, that investigator must: a) request, in writing, the approval of DRF for the
transfer; b) secure written approval for this transfer from the
fiscal officer at the present grantee institutions; c) submit an expenditures report covering the project
period at the present institution up to the time of
the transfer approved by DRF, and provide for the return
to DRF of all unexpended funds received by the present
institution for the grant; d) provide DRF with the name and address of the fiscal
officer of the new institution; e) secure from the appropriate chairman at the new
institution both a confirmation for DRF of the investigator’s
new appointment, and confirmation that the new duties
and the available facilities and personnel will permit
the prompt continuation of the research project, and f) submit a progress report on the work done at the
present institution since the last report, or, for a
first-year project, since the beginning of the grant
period (July 1). B. Change of Objective: If the principal investigator
wishes to make changes, which could alter the approved
objectives for which the original grant was made, prior
approval of DRF is required. C. Change of Principal Investigator: If the principal
investigator relinquishes or expects to relinquish active
direction of the project, DRF must be notified immediately.
The grantee institution may: 1. request that the grant be terminated, in which case
a terminal progress report and an expenditures report
must be submitted, and unexpended funds must be returned,
or 2. with the approval of DRF, the grantee institution
may continue the project under the direction of another
investigator.
In the latter instance, biographical data, an interim
progress report, and other pertinent information required
by DRF should accompany the request for such continuation. V. LIMITATIONS A. Geographical: Grants are limited to Institutions
within the United States of America. B. Time: Awards are approved for a period of one year;
applicants may re-apply for continuation of funding
for a second project year. Third year applications will
not be honored except in extraordinary circumstances
(e.g., the recruitment of human subjects). The primary
purpose of the award is to enable the investigator to
become established or produce quality research that
will allow him/her to successfully compete for NIH Grants
or grants from other sources. To reflect this aim, DRF
strives to have new grants make up one-half of the total
funded portfolio. C. Amount: In DRF programs, a grant cannot exceed $25,000
for one project year. D. Grant: DRF applies a policy of funding grants receiving
a high priority score without number limitation based
on available funds. E. Tax-exempt: Grants will be made to non-profit, tax-exempt
institutions, public or private, to support research
directed at those institutions by investigators who
are on their staff or are otherwise formally attached
to them. Awarding grants to for-profit companies would
disqualify DRF for tax-exempt status. F. Institution Awards: DRF will fund no more than a
total of five (5) grants annually to an institution.
The funding will be limited to the five (5) grants of
the highest priority as determined by DRF. G. Funding: DRF grants are for the support of research
endeavors carried out by investigators who are beginning
to work in the field of hearing and balance. At least
50% of all available funds will be set aside for new
applications from investigators who are beginning to
work in the field of hearing and balance. Funds for
DRF grant renewals shall not exceed 50% of all funds
granted. Priority scores for funding will be determined
separately within the new and renewal applications groups
to assure independent assessment. Projects that are
new areas of research for an established scientist can
be considered for funding for one year of support. Typically, DRF will not fund investigators currently receiving significant federal funding or meaningful funding (grants receipts totaling >$75,000) from other sources in the area of the proposed DRF project. This applies to the principal investigator and co-principal investigator. Applications from investigators with R01 or equivalent funding within the past five years will not be considered. DRF grants are intended primarily
for promising researchers who are in the early stages
of their careers. H. Investigator: Applicants shall hold the M.D., Ph.D.,
or equivalent degree(s) as well as a faculty or post-doctoral
appointment. Graduate students are not eligible for
DRF grants. Residents and Post Doctoral Fellows need
to submit a letter from the established investigator
who will serve as his/her mentor. This letter should
describe the role played by the investigator in overseeing
the resident’s or Post Doctoral Fellow’s
research program. In addition, the department chairman
must submit a letter granting permission for the resident
or Post Doctoral Fellow to participate in adequate projected
research time. VI.
CONDITIONS In the event that the grantee breaches any of the provisions
of the policy described above, the Deafness Research
Foundation reserves the right to withhold further payments
of the grants, and to require the grantee to repay to
DRF any funds expended in contravention of such provisions. |
