Transformative Neuroscience Pilot Grants FAQ
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: Faculty members from any school at the University of Virginia are eligible to apply. Faculty includes all ranks of tenured, tenure-track, academic general faculty, and research faculty. Senior scientists, postdoctoral research associates, and other research staff are not eligible to apply as primary investigators (PIs) but may receive support if working on the project.
Q: Can I be listed on more than one proposal?
A: Each faculty member may be listed on one proposal per application cycle.
Q: What does ‘collaboration is required’ mean?
A: Proposed projects must be a true partnership of two or more PIs bringing together their expertise to perform rigorous and innovative scientific research. Each PI must contribute substantially to the project. Each PI is required to submit a budget for their portion of the proposed work, and funds will be separately allocated according to the budget, if awarded.
During the review process, preference may be given to proposals that include new collaborations between investigators who have not formally worked together in the past.
Q: Are external collaborations permitted?
A: External collaborators (outside of UVA) may participate in the proposed project but may not receive support through the budget/awarded funds.
Q: What types of projects are eligible for funding?
A: Proposed projects may be basic science, translational, clinical, community-engagement, or population/database research – or a combination of any of the these. Projects may be on any subject related to neuroscience including normal and abnormal brain/neurological function. Priority may be given to proposals that align with the Grand Challenges Research Investments in Brain & Neuroscience (GCRI-BN) priority areas of research or research that directly impacts the local Charlottesville or Commonwealth of Virginia population.
Q: What are the GCRI-BN priority areas of research?
A: The priority thematic areas of research for GCRI-BN are Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, neuroimaging, neuroimmunology, brain development and autism.
Q: My project has received funding from the Brain Institute in the past. Am I eligible to apply?
A: Projects that are currently receiving funding from the Brain Institute (through prior seed funding programs, trainee support, etc.) are not eligible to apply for additional funding. Projects that have received funding in the past may apply; however, the record of Brain Institute support to the project and investigators will be considered during the review process.
Q: Are projects eligible for no-cost-extensions or funds rollovers?
A: The project period for awarded proposals is one year. No-cost-extensions will be granted on a very limited basis upon request due to special circumstances. Human subjects proposals may be eligible for an extended project period (upon approval) if there is a scientific basis for extended follow-up, etc. Please see the question below and contact us to discuss further.
Q: What does it mean that ‘proposals that include human subjects research may be eligible for additional support or extended project period’?
A: We recognize the high cost and complexity of performing human subjects research. As such, certain proposals that require a higher volume of participants or prolonged period of follow up may request additional funds and/or extended project period to cover these requirements. Please email BrainUVA@uvahealth.org prior to submission to discuss if your project may be eligible. In addition, human subjects proposals may be eligible to receive support from Brain Institute staff and/or resources such as MRI scans, neuropsychological evaluations, or biomarker testing in additional to pilot grant funds. This additional support will be discussed following initial review.
Q: Are resubmissions permitted?
A: Yes, resubmitted Transformative Neuroscience Pilot Grant applications from a previous cycle are permitted. Resubmitted applications should follow the same requirements as described in the RFP, and the application system includes a checkbox to indicate if this is a resubmission. No formal response to review is required, and applicants are encouraged to incorporate previous review feedback into their revised application. The Brain Institute will assign new reviewers to the resubmitted application to enable a fair review.
Q: What type of additional information may be requested following the initial review?
A: After the initial written review process, we may request additional information from proposals that meet the threshold for prioritization. Requests for additional information may include: further budget details/justification, statistical analysis plan, data sharing and management plan, details about study protocol/methods/assessments/outcomes, adjustments to the scope of the proposal, and more.
Q: Are faculty salaries an allowable expense?
A: No, faculty salaries are not able to be supported by pilot grant funds due to the terms and seed funding budget of the Brain Institute Strategic Investment Fund award.
Q: Is there a required template for my budget?
A: There is no specified template for the budget. Generally, a listing of personnel effort support requested (per individual), materials/supplies/equipment, and other costs, will suffice.
Q: Should I include indirects or F&A in my budget?
A: Fringe benefits should be budgeted in personnel support to align with salary support requested. F&A does not need to be included in the budget.
Q: There are two deadlines listed on the RFP – what does this mean?
A: We will be accepting two cycles of applications for this funding mechanism in 2025. The second application period will open in late Summer with a deadline of September 5th. We announced both deadlines, so investigators can plan ahead if they are not prepared to submit for the first cycle.
Last Update: January 16, 2025
