VUMC Limited Submission Opportunity: W.M. Keck Foundation Research Program. Spring 2022 applications due Dec. 1

These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

Overview:

VUMC may submit up to two proposals, one in Medical Research and one in Science and Engineering, for the W.M. Keck Foundation Research Program.  We are currently soliciting concept papers, which will be considered for presentation to the Keck Foundation in early CY 2022. The goal of the program is to benefit humanity by supporting work that has a distinctive and novel approach, questions a prevailing paradigm, or has the potential to break open new territory in a field. Grants are typically awarded for roughly $1,000,000 and abstracts from previously funded proposals can be found here. Indirect costs are not allowed.

Program Priorities for Funding:

• Focus on important and emerging areas of research
• Have the potential to develop breakthrough technologies, instrumentation or methodologies
• Are innovative, distinctive and interdisciplinary
• Demonstrate a high level of risk due to unconventional approaches, or by challenging the prevailing paradigm
• Have the potential for transformative impact, such as the founding of a new field of research, the enabling of observations not previously possible, or the altered perception of a previously intractable problem
• Does not focus on clinical or translational research, treatment trials or research for the sole purpose of drug development
• Fall outside the mission of public funding agencies
• Demonstrate that private philanthropy generally, and the W. M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project’s success

Internal Application Process:

Anyone interested in being considered as VUMC’s nominee must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on December 1.

1. 1-page Concept Paper (See guidelines below)
2. Statement of support from department chair/center director;
   1. Letter must additionally acknowledge that this grant does not allow indirect costs. This statement can be used/modified within the letter: “The Department recognizes that this grant does not allow indirect costs and will commit to covering any associated indirect costs per applicable school/institutional policy.”
3. NIH Biosketch

Concept Paper Requirements:

• Must be single page with 12 point font and 1 inch margins
• Must indicate the area of emphasis for the project – “medical research” or “science and engineering research”
• Include an overview of the proposed project emphasizing any unique aspects and pilot studies. Emphasize attributes that address program priorities, e.g. high level of risk, transformative impact.
• Include a description of the methodologies and key personnel
• Include a brief justification of the need for Keck support. Competitive proposals will provide evidence that proposed research is a poor fit for federal funding opportunities, i.e. reviewer comments or program officer discussion.
• Include an estimated budget broken down, if possible, by major areas, e.g., personnel, equipment, consumable supplies, etc. (budgets can be rough approximations at this stage)

Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.