CU ASPIRE Programmatic Incubator for Research

Research must be focused on an unmet need in basic, translational or clinical science that can only be addressed by an interdisciplinary team of investigators. This focused research effort must be built around a scientific hypothesis and is distinct from the SOM Transformational Research Programs, which are much broader in vision and scope.

The interdisciplinary research group should operate with the goals of:

• Establish preliminary findings to support the unifying scientific synergy of the program, including joint publications.
• Develop a plan to programmatically integrate the investigators, projects, and cores.
• Identify a specific funding program within a funding agency and establish a timeline and plan for grant submission of a program project (P01 or equivalent) within in 2-3 years of receiving ASPIRE funding.

This is a milestone-driven program with continued funding for subsequent years is dependent on progress.

After Year 1 of funding, project teams will present their progress to program leadership and other relevant scientists, outlining achievement of milestones, areas of needed support, and pathway towards submission of a (P01 or equivalent) extramural grant application.

Category 1. School of Medicine Applications
To be eligible for this category, PI and Project Leads will hold a primary appointment in a Department within the School of Medicine.

Category 2. Cross-Campus Applications
To be eligible for this category, PI and Project Leads hold a primary appointment across two or more distinct Schools/Colleges (Medicine, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dental Medicine, Nursing or Public Health). Applications that come from PI and Project Leads all within the same School/College (outside School of Medicine) will be considered in this category.

General Eligibility Criteria (applies to both Category 1 and 2)

1. At least 3 and no more than 5 investigators (PI, Project, Core Leads) are required as part of the application.
2. At least two investigators (other than the PI) must have a primary appointment at the University of Colorado. This could include investigators throughout the CU System, and CU investigators employed by Denver Health, National Jewish Health, and the VAMC.
3. Up to two investigators may be included from an institution outside of the University of Colorado.
4. Individuals from traditionally under-represented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
5. The PI and Project leads must be R01/or equivalent funded.

Letter of Intent and full applications must be submitted using InfoReady:

InfoReady Application Portal

 

A study section of non-conflicted CU Anschutz Medical campus faculty will convene to evaluate applications based on:

• Scientific merit, including significance of scientific synergy
• Programmatic integration of scientific team
• Prior collaboration of scientific team members
• Likelihood of project leading to scientific accomplishments and external funding in 2-3 years
• Applications should demonstrate how the proposed structure of the expected external funding application will enable the scientific goals to be achieved.