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Grant Proposal Submission Guidelines

Guidelines for Submission of Research Grant Proposals

Introduction

Midwest Eye Banks is a charitable, non profit organization whose mission is the restoration of sight. To carry out this mission to the fullest extent possible, Midwest Eye-Banks supports eye and vision research, in addition to recovering, evaluating and distributing human eye tissue for transplantation.

Each year, Midwest Eye-Banks is pleased to invite academic proposals seeking funding for promising eye and vision research. Funding is envisioned primarily as seed money to develop ideas, collect data or carry out preliminary laboratory work that facilitates application for more extensive support by larger private or governmental agencies.

Research topics may involve basic or applied science including theoretical, experimental or clinical techniques. Funds may be granted to those proposals showing the greatest potential to advance scientific understanding of the eye, vision and the causes and treatment of eye disorders, especially those relating to the cornea, lens, retina and glaucoma.

Submission Process

For each research grant proposal, the following must be completed and submitted:

• Scientific Research Award Application, submitted electronically via E-mail to Midwest Eye-Banks’ Grants mailbox, grants@midwesteyebanks.org.
• Biographical Sketch for the Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator(s), submitted electronically via E-mail with the Scientific Research Award Application.
• Research Grant Application Acknowledgement Form, signed by the Principal Investigator and Department Chair and mailed via regular mail to Midwest Eye-Banks, ATTN: Eye and Vision Research Program, 4889 Venture Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Alternatively, this signed form may be faxed to (734) 780-2143, ATTN: Eye and Vision Research Program.

Consult the Research Grant Awards Calendar for submission deadlines.

Images and scanned documents should be included as E-mail attachments, and all file names should carry sufficient information to link the files to the appropriate proposal or request.

Research Grant Proposal Parameters

• Grants normally will not exceed $15,000.00. These grants are intended to fund the work of young investigators or new research directions for more established researchers but are not meant to augment support for research that is already funded.

• Funding will be for a period of one (1) year but, in certain cases, grants may be renewed for a second year. This requires submission of a competitive renewal proposal. A summary of project progress must be included in such a proposal.

• No overhead or training costs will be funded.

• No more than 10% of the total grant may be allocated to fund salary costs for principal investigators.

• If funding for acquisition of equipment is requested, its application to the research objective must be clearly explained.

• Travel costs will not be funded; however, travel reimbursement requests may be considered when a paper on Midwest Eye-Banks sponsored research is to be presented.

• Acknowledgment of Midwest Eye-Banks support must be included in all publications and presentations of research results.

• Researchers must agree to provide Midwest Eye-Banks with a publishable update on their project, in layman’s terms, at the conclusion of the 12-month grant cycle. Midwest Eye-Banks requests this information because publication of research activities can stimulate public interest in, and support of, its Eye and Vision Research Program.

Review Process

Research proposals satisfying the Proposal Restrictions will be reviewed and evaluated by Midwest Eye-Banks’ Research Review Committee. The Committee is an independent, volunteer panel of distinguished scientists and ophthalmologists whose expertise ensures Midwest Eye-Banks’ grant funding will be used for only the most promising research. Its funding recommendations are based on the technical merit of each proposal, and its potential to broaden scientific understanding of the eye and of conditions that may affect vision. Specific review criteria include:

• The significance and scientific or clinical merit of the proposed project, and its characterization as an innovative and/or pilot project that provides a basis for more extended support.

• The methodology, including choice of experimental material.

• The investigator's background and training related to the subject of the project.

• The adequacy of necessary facilities.

• The adequacy of justifications presented for the budget request.

• Appropriate approvals for human or animal use.

After all proposal submissions have been reviewed, the Research Review Committee advises Midwest Eye-Banks' Board of Directors of those proposals whose technical merit warrants funding. The Board then approves funding for proposals to the extent permitted by Midwest Eye-Banks’ annual budget.

Announcements of Receipt, Funding Awards and Denials

Midwest Eye-Banks will send an E-mail acknowledging receipt of each proposal and request received. If an E-mail acknowledgement is not received within seven (7) business days of submission, please contact Midwest Eye-Banks at (800) 247-7250 or grants@midwesteyebanks.org.

Letters announcing research grant awards and denials are mailed out in accordance with the annual Research Grant Awards Calendar. Consult the Calendar for this year’s announcement date. If an announcement letter related to a confirmed research proposal submission is not received within seven (7) days of this mailing date, researchers are asked to contact Midwest Eye-Banks at (800) 247-7250 or grants@midwesteyebanks.org.

Support Questions

Researchers needing additional information regarding the process of submitting research grant proposals, including technical questions about the application form and related attachments, should contact Darlene Wade, at (800) 247‐7250, ext. 2607. Questions may also be directed to grants@midwesteyebanks.org.