Application Process
Eligibility
Application Process
Application and Award Dates
Peer Review Process
Appeal Process
Funding Available
Reporting Requirements
Additional Information
Eligibility
Any faculty or staff member, graduate or post-doctoral student, or any other individual who has an interest in agricultural health and safety possessing the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed project, is invited to work with their eligible Midwest institution to develop an application. Eligible Midwest institutions include: for-profit, non-profit, public or private institutions; units of local or state government and eligible Federal agencies; units of local and state tribal government and faith- or community-based organizations. The Great Plains Center welcomes project ideas from young investigators. Young investigators, such as associates or instructors, are encouraged to apply together with more senior faculty members, but may apply independently. Individuals from under-represented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
Application Process
Applications are to follow the general NIH guidelines for research proposals and should be organized as follows:
| Proposal Sections | Page Limit |
| Cover page and executive summary (150 word max) | 1 |
| Research Plan, including: | 5 pg. total |
| — Specific plan | |
| — Background and significance | |
| — Preliminary studies (if any) | |
| — Experimental design and methods | |
| Utilization of GPCAH facilities (if any) | 1 |
| Potential for future grant | 1-2 |
| Budget and budget justification | 1-2 |
| Schedule and milestones | 1-2 |
| Biosketch (per PHS 398) for each investigator | |
| Plan for continuing reporting of related work (see note) | 1 |
Note: Project proposals must include plans to track and report to the GPCAH subsequent results stemming from each feasibility/pilot project, including but not limited to grants (such as R01 and R21) and contracts developed as progeny of the project, students mentored, MS and PhD dissertations generated, presentations and publications emanating from the project, and new interdisciplinary collaborations established as a result of the project.
Application and Award Dates
Proposals are due on or before the due date (to be determined annually).
Send one signed original of cover letter and proposal to:
Murray D. Madsen
The University of Iowa
100 Oakdale Campus
#203 IREH
Iowa City, IA 52242-5000
Email one electronic copy of signed cover letter and proposal to: murray-madsen@uiowa.edu
Evaluations will be completed and notification of funding status will be communicated to each investigator within 90 days from the proposal due date.
Investigators are strongly encouraged to initiate any applicable human subjects or animal care review processes as soon as possible. All investigators involved in the conduct of human subjects or animal research must have received approved education offered by The University of Iowa's Human Subjects Office or from their eligible Midwest institution.
Peer Review Process
Project applications will be evaluated by a review panel selected from Executive, Internal Advisory, and External Advisory Committee members. The review process will follow procedures similar to those used by federal study sections with assigned primary and secondary reviewers providing written critiques. Evaluation and selection criteria will address originality, scientific relevance and importance to the region, relevance to GPCAH goals and the NIOSH research agenda, validity and reliability of methods, qualifications of investigators, interdisciplinary nature of the project, potential for future funding, and appropriateness of the budget. All review panel members will score each project proposal according to the NIH priority score method. Review panel members will not participate in the evaluation of applications they submit or when they are a collaborator on another investigator's application under consideration at the time.
Appeal Process
Investigators who believe an unfair or inaccurate peer evaluation process has occurred may submit a written appeal letter to the Center Director outlining specific concerns about the process. At the discretion of the Center Director, the appeal may be referred to outside consultants for additional review. Depending on the outcome of the appeal, a revised priority score for the application may be determined for special consideration of the proposal during the next round of applications.
Funding Available
A total of up to $50,000 funding will be available for new feasibility/pilot projects each year. It is anticipated that GPCAH will fund 3 or 4 feasibility/pilot projects each year. Each award will be for a maximum duration of 12 months. Awards will range up to $20,000. Funding is available for the usual categories of cost in an NIH grant, such as salary and fringe for research assistants and graduate students, laboratory supplies, equipment, data analysis costs, travel associated with research (but not to attend trade, technical, or professional association meetings), and office expenses. All project activities and the expenditure of all project funds must be accomplished by the end of the fiscal year (Sept 31).
Reporting Requirements
Each funded feasibility/pilot project is required to submit a mid-year progress report and a final report. The mid-year and final reports shall be submitted according to instructions provided by the GPCAH and shall include reporting of work and activities relating to the current (and past) project(s) awarded by GPCAH to the investigator/eligible institution.
Additional Information
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact us by phone or email:
Scientific questions:
Wayne T. Sanderson: 319-335-4207, wayne-sanderson@uiowa.edu
Risto Rautiainen: 319-335-4887, risto-rautiainen@uiowa.edu
Murray Madsen: 319-335-4481, murray-madsen@uiowa.edu
Administrative questions including questions regarding Human Subject Protection and IRB requirements:
Patricia Ramstad: 319-335-4419, patricia-ramstad@uiowa.edu