Program Overview:
The Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) Blood Program invites applications for Pilot Grant funding for 2011. The purpose of this funding program is to provide resources for innovative projects by investigators in the field of blood stem cell biology, including basic, translational or clinical research. This funding is for groundbreaking, innovative, high-impact research projects that could fundamentally enhance biomedical research. Current work in the Blood Program focuses on understanding blood stem cell self-renewal at a molecular level, both for manipulating stem cell production and function, as well as understanding abnormalities in cancer stem cells in order to develop novel therapies.

In order to foster the collaborative nature of the program and to build the foundation of large collaborative proposals for federal funding, we encourage you to consider research questions that overlap with and/or complement current research in the Blood Program (see Appendix A). However, projects which are not directly collaborative are also encouraged and all proposals will be evaluated primarily on the basis of their individual scientific strength. 

HSCI may fund up to 2 pilot grants in this round. Each project will be funded at a maximum of $100,000 per year (includes 20% indirect costs, total direct cost basis) for a period of two years.

It is understood that any tool or reagent generated as part of an HSCI Blood Program Pilot Grant will be available for sharing with the wider HSCI community.

Submission process:
Please send your application by email to courtney_clark@harvard.edu no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, January 31, 2011.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review Criteria:
A key goal of the HSCI is to improve human health by supporting basic, translational or clinical work in blood stem cell biology. Factors for reviewers' consideration include: scientific quality; relevance to the HSCI mission; and potential of the project to enhance biomedical research in the blood area.

Three members of the HSCI scientific community will independently evaluate the proposals primarily for their potential to advance these goals. They will also consider the availability of alternative funding sources and the potential to promote future collaborative research, particularly between institutions. Recommendations from the reviewers will be sent to the HSCI Executive Committee for final decision.

Inquiries:
Programmatic questions regarding the Blood Program Pilot Grants may be addressed to Claudia Rizzini, Program Director, at (617) 495-4388 or claudia_rizzini@harvard.edu.

Administrative questions on the Blood Program Pilot Grants may be addressed to Courtney Clark, Grant Programs Assistant, at (617) 496-5295 or courtney_clark@harvard.edu.

Summary timeline:
Application due date: Monday, January 31, 2011
Review outcome notification: Friday, April 15, 2011
Award start date: Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Click here to download the RFP.