Research in biomedical sciences that targets disease mechanisms and outcomes may be divided into several overlapping areas.  Translational research focuses on the areas of biology that impinge on human health and the understanding of disease mechanisms, and on the application of this research toward a particular medical challenge. Clinical research aims to understand disease and health by directly observing and experimenting on patients.  Both areas of research are required to promote the effective application of basic knowledge into patient needs.  The Clinical and Translational Collaborative Research Grants are designed to enhance and enlarge the clinical and translational research infrastructure in Portugal and to promote collaboration not only within Portugal but also  internationally.  The research topics to be considered in these Calls should be patient and/or disease oriented and the translational and/or clinical outcomes should be clearly stated.  It is expected that, through a range of scientific approaches, the Collaborative Research Grants will focus on questions relevant to medicine at the frontier of translational and clinical sciences.

Successful competitive proposals will involve a collaborative effort between (at least) two Portuguese research teams from different legally defined institutions and (at least) one research team from Harvard Medical School, institutions affiliated with Harvard Medical School and/or other Harvard faculties and schools.  There will be one Call for grant applications in each of the first four years of this Program, each Call offering three collaborative research grants. Each grant will provide funding for two years, with the possibility (upon evaluation) of extension for a third year.

Grant applications will be assessed on a strictly competitive basis by an international panel of independent experts.  A typical award will provide resources for each individual laboratory adequate to cover salaries (at the levels of PhD or MD-PhD student, postdoctoral fellow, or technician), supplies, and limited resources for equipment.  If requested, salary support for principal investigators will be limited to no more than 10% of the principal investigator's then current salary.  These grants will also provide the opportunity for Harvard College undergraduates to participate in research in one of the Portuguese laboratories supported by a Collaborative Research Grant (see Technical Annex).  Travel support will be provided to allow all the researchers from the Harvard teams to meet annually with their counterparts in Portugal and to participate in the Annual Retreat to be held in Portugal; these meetings and the Annual Retreat will be essential to ensure active networking among all the participants of the program.

As a condition of accepting their research grant awards, the Portuguese laboratories involved in the Collaborative Research Grants will make available laboratory slots to accommodate either MD students  or MDs in residency training.  MDs enrolled in a research project in the laboratories can participate in a significant period of practical training at the Harvard laboratories involved in the Collaborative Research Grants.  While in residence at Harvard, Portuguese MDs will become full members of the host laboratory, participate in laboratory research, group meetings, journal clubs, retreats, workshops, seminars, and nano courses.  The Portuguese MDs will also participate in the Harvard Catalyst Colloquium Series and a bimonthly faculty dinner series together with "peer mentors" from one of the Harvard laboratories involved in the Collaborative Research Grants.  These paracurricular activities will allow the Portuguese MDs studying at Harvard to interact with Harvard students and fellows and will encourage community-building among the Portuguese MDs in each cohort.

Investigators applying for a clinical and translational Collaborative Research Grant must organize themselves as an international research team.  The team must consist of at least three investigators: one investigator is designated as the "Principal Applicant" and the other investigators as "Co-Applicants."  The Principal Applicant and at least one Co-Applicant will be located in Portugal, and at least one Co-Applicant will be located at Harvard. The Principal Applicant will be responsible for coordinating the research on behalf of the teams.  He/she will also act as the team's liaison with the HMS-Portugal Program and will be required to submit annual budgets and progress reports.

A key requisite for acceptance of a Collaborative Research Grant is that all funded researchers directly supported by the Research Grant (including the Principal Investigators, students, post-doctoral fellows, and technicians) must attend and participate in the Annual HMS-Portugal Program Retreats and Symposia to be held in Portugal. Failure to attend could result in loss of funding.

Duration of activity:  A typical proposal should cover research efforts for a period of three years.  Funding for years 2 and 3 will be conditional on the progress achieved by the team as determined upon review by the Review Committee.

Funding: The maximal annual funding level for a project is 100,000 Euros/year for each Portuguese team (up to a total of 200,000 Euros /year for all the Portuguese laboratories participating in a given project) and USD 160,000/year direct costs for all the Harvard laboratory(ies) participating in a given project.  For the 2011 Call, funding is available for 3 projects.  Funds awarded to Harvard Medical School for the HMS-Portugal Program will cover the participation of HMS teams in each project.

Applications must come from groups associated with Portuguese Universities, Associate Laboratories, Research Centers, State Laboratories or any other public or private research institutions, including hospitals. Applications must involve participants from at least two different legally defined Portuguese institutions and (at least) one research team from Harvard Medical School, institutions affiliated with Harvard Medical School and/or other Harvard faculties and schools.

Principal Applicant or team members with an overall allocation of over 100% in FCT financed or co-financed projects cannot be eligible for funding. The minimal time allocation for the Principal Applicant is 35% and for each Portuguese team member 15%. Time allocations will be verified before contract signature. As allowed by FCT, the Principal Applicant may reallocate time in other FCT financed or co-financed projects in order to become eligible for funding at the time of the grant award.

Applications must be submitted online through the FCT website following the Announcement of the Call for Proposals.

For information in English:

http://www.fct.pt/apoios/projectos/concursos/harvard/2011a/index.phtml.en

 

The application must comply with the online FCT application form (see Guide to Writing and Submitting Proposals available through the FCT website following the Announcement of the Call for Proposals).

Please refer to the document “Application Guidelines” for practical information on the application.

Applicants must submit a PDF version of the proposal in collaborative research to be included as an attachment to the application submitted online through the FCT website. This PDF should include the following:

• An overview of proposed research emphasizing how the proposal meets the aims of the HMS-Portugal Program. Emphasize also the nature and expected outcomes of the collaborative work. State clearly the aims of the team as a whole and indicate the specific role played by each member in achieving the goals of the team. Explain the advantages of conducting the proposed studies as a collaborative effort.
• A detailed outline of the proposed research, including preliminary results.
• The CV and publication list of the principal applicant and each co-applicant.

Applications must be written in English, must be single spaced, have left and right margins of 2.5 cm.

Please carefully follow the guidelines on expected content for the PDF annex.

PDF VERSION OF THE PROPOSAL IN COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH TO BE INCLUDED AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED ONLINE THROUGH THE FCT WEBSITE

1. Full size PDF document (8.5 x 11 or A4). Please use Arial font 11 and number the pages. Page limit of the complete application is 10 pages excluding references.

2. OVERALL JUSTIFICATION FOR THE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH (LIMITED TO 3 PAGES)

List all personnel from Harvard and Portugal who will be involved in the collaborative research project, including the role of each individual in the project and the percent effort (in personmonths) for each individual. List all organizations at Harvard and Portugal that will participate in the project.

A leadership plan must also be included. Describe the governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and of the research project, including communication plans, processes for making decisions about scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. For each PI, co-PI, and collaborator (where appropriate), delineate the individual’s role in the project and her/his administrative, technical, and scientific responsibilities for the program.

3. RESEARCH COMPONENT FOR EACH PI IN PORTUGAL AND EACH CO-PI AT HARVARD AND IN PORTUGAL (LIMITED TO 7 PAGES FOR THE PI AND CO-PIs):

SPECIFIC AIMS

State concisely the goals of the proposed research and summarize the expected outcome(s), including the impact that the results of the proposed research will exert on the research field(s) involved. List succinctly the specific objectives of the research proposed, e.g., to test a stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology.

RESEARCH STRATEGY ( figures/tables are allowed)

(a) Significance

Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress in the field that the proposed project addresses. Explain how the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions of the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice.

(b) Innovation

Explain how the application challenges and seeks to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms. Describe any novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation or interventions to be developed or used, and any advantage over existing methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions. Explain any refinements, improvements, or new applications of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions.

(c) Approach

Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted as well as any resource sharing plans as appropriate.

Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims.

If applicable, point out any procedures, situations, or materials that may be hazardous to personnel and precautions to be exercised.

(d) Preliminary Studies

If applicable, discuss preliminary studies, data, and or experience pertinent to this application.

This information can help to establish the likelihood of success of the proposed project.

4. CV and Publication List

Include the CV and publication list of the principal applicant and each co-applicant (for each applicant, a maximum of 2 pages, including a list of up to 10 of the most relevant papers).

Progress Report: A yearly report will be delivered, for interim review by the Review Committee. The Committee has the right to recommend that further funding be discontinued or extended for one more year.

Final Report: A Final Report will be delivered for review by the Review Committee.

For more information on how to complete applications in the Project Calls portal please visit:

http://www.fct.pt/apoios/projectos/concursos/instrucoes.phtml.en

Please refer to the document “Terms of Reference for the 2011 Calls for Proposals” for extensive information on the call.

1. Who can apply for the Collaborative Research Grants?

Applications must come from groups associated with Portuguese Universities, Associate Laboratories, Research Centers, State Laboratories or any other public or private research institutions, including hospitals. Applications must involve participants from at least two different legally defined Portuguese institutions and (at least) one research team from Harvard Medical School, institutions affiliated with Harvard Medical School and/or other Harvard faculties and schools.

2. What is the duration and total funding for these Calls?

A typical proposal should cover research efforts for a period of three years. Funding for years 2 and 3 will be conditional on the progress achieved by the team in year 1 as determined upon review by the Review Committee.

3. Is this a full-time research project? How is it compatible with other research?

Investigators can continue their public financed research independently of this project. However, Principal Investigators must dedicate a minimum of 35% of their time to this project and the remaining investigators 15% of their time. In the event a grant is awarded, investigators cannot exceed 100% in all their FCT financed projects at the time of contract finalization.

4. What funding is available and what expenses does it cover?

The maximum annual funding level for a project is 100,000 Euros / year for each Portuguese team (up to a total of 200,000 Euros / year for all the Portuguese laboratories participating in a given project) and USD 160,000 / year for all the Harvard laboratory(ies) participating in a given project. For the 2011 Call funding is available for 3 projects. Funds awarded to Harvard Medical School for the HMS-Portugal Program will cover the participation of HMS teams in each project.

5. Who will evaluate the applications?

Applications will be reviewed by a Review Committee of independent experts from the United States and nations other than Portugal, organized by FCT in close collaboration with Harvard Medical School. The Review Committee will be chaired by Professor Lee Nadler at Harvard Medical School who will be responsible for evaluating the merit of each proposal, and for identifying ways in which successful applicants might work together to avoid the creation of redundant content.

6. Where can I get additional information about these Awards and/or guidance for my research career path?

For discussions on guidance on your research project, content and relevance to the program please feel free to contact the HMS-PT Program Director Prof. Carmo Fonseca (carmo.fonseca@fm.ul.pt). For practical information regarding applications and process please contact HMS-PT Project Manager Andreia Vaz (andreiavaz@hmsportugal.pt)

7. Are there any particular requirements for this type of application?

Investigators applying for a clinical and translational Collaborative Research Grant must organize themselves as an international research team. The team must consist of at least three investigators: one investigator is designated as the "Principal Applicant" and the other investigators as "Co-Applicants." The Principal Applicant and at least one Co-Applicant will be located in Portugal, and at least one Co-Applicant will be located at Harvard. The Principal Applicant will be responsible for coordinating the research on behalf of the team. He/she will also act as the team's liaison with the HMS-Portugal Program and will be required to submit annual budgets and progress reports.

A key requisite for acceptance of a Collaborative Research Grant is that all funded researchers directly supported by the Research Grant (including the Principal Investigators, students, post-doctoral fellows, and technicians) must attend and participate in the Annual HMS-Portugal Program Retreats and Symposia to be held in Portugal. Failure to attend could result in loss of funding.