Resources of the center are limited and therefore will be provided to the best candidates with potential to generate meaningful outcomes and help give a better understanding of how circadian rhythms contribute to alcohol-induced pathologies and tissue injury.
The center will solicit applications, and those deemed to be the most meritorious will be given priority access to resources. The center will accept requests (i.e., applications) to receive samples from our repository and conduct research in our facilities at least once per year (more frequently if resources are available). Consultation services (i.e., training and analysis) will be available for request on a rolling basis. Deadlines will be announced at least three months before the submission deadline. Check our website for information and/or sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date about upcoming deadlines.
Services will be provided for a charge (charge back system) with a discount provided to researchers funded by the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Submission
The format for submission will follow the NIH format and should include the following:
- Specific aims and research strategy: Maximum of three pages (0.5” margins)
- Biosketch for key personnel
The following should be explicitly addressed in the application and will be critical points of evaluation for selection:
- Hypothesis
- Scientific premise
- Experimental design and outcomes
- Expected results
- Expected impact on the alcohol research field
- Why services of the center are required
Applicants are encouraged to contact our team to discuss experimental design, analysis plan, etc., prior to application submission.
Selection criteria
Selection criteria will be evaluated and scored using the NIH review scoring system (i.e., 1-9) specifically evaluating scientific premise and experimental rigor. Priority will be merit-based, and those with the best score will have priority.
| Score | Descriptor | Additional Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exceptional | Exceptionally strong with essentially no weaknesses |
| 2 | Outstanding | Extremely strong with negligible weaknesses |
| 3 | Excellent | Very strong with only some minor weaknesses |
| 4 | Very Good | Strong but with numerous minor weaknesses |
| 5 | Good | Strong but with at least one moderate weakness |
| 6 | Satisfactory | Some strengths but also some moderate weaknesses |
| 7 | Fair | Some strengths but with at least one major weakness |
| 8 | Marginal | A few strengths and a few major weaknesses |
| 9 | Poor | Very few strengths and numerous major weaknesses |
Minor weakness: An easily addressable weakness that does not substantially lessen impact
Moderate weakness: A weakness that lessens impact
Major weakness: A weakness that severely limits impact
Timeline
Applications will be reviewed by a primary and two secondary reviewers and discussed by the five-member steering committee 15 to 30 days after the deadline. A response (i.e., accept or reject) will be communicated to applicants within 30 to 45 days after the submission deadline. Start dates will be determined by the steering committee based on resource availability.