Stanford MCHRI Uytengsu-Hamilton 22q11 Neuropsychiatry Research Awards Program
The Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) Uytengsu-Hamilton 22q11 Neuropsychiatry Research Program aims to promote innovative, transdisciplinary research to improve the neurocognitive outcomes and behavioral symptoms of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome with immediate (within 5 years) and long-term impact.
22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic disorder caused by a microdeletion on chromosome 22. The disorder is associated with a broad spectrum of symptoms including immune dysfunction, congenital heart disease, palatal abnormalities and endocrine dysfunction. Children and young people with 22q11.2DS are at increased risk for developmental delay, learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety.
The program will provide up to 2 years of seed funding that could best (or only) be performed by researchers from different disciplines. This program will fund innovative research projects in the following categories:
Category A: Research at Stanford University (up to 4 awards)
Category B: Research external to Stanford University (up to 2 awards)
The program will support a wide range of scientific approaches with the potential to advance our understanding of 22q11.2DS and its neuropsychiatric manifestations in the following areas:
I. Basic and clinical translational research relevant to neurodevelopment and neuropsychiatry in 22q11.2DS, including but not limited to: neuroscience, genetics and genomics, psychiatry, neuroimmunology, metabolism, gut-brain axis, data science, bioinformatics or computational methodologies utilizing existing data, and novel therapeutics (up to a maximum of $150K/year)
II. Basic and clinical translational research addressing the wider spectrum of symptoms in 22q11.2DS, including but not limited to: immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, developmental biology, genetics and genomics, and novel therapeutics (up to a maximum of $150K/year; Category A – Stanford applicants only)
An interdisciplinary approach is strongly encouraged for this initiative where at least two of the lead investigators bring expertise from different disciplines to the project. Collaborations between basic and physician scientists are particularly encouraged. Single-PI applications will be considered if the scientific rationale is compelling. Category B: collaborative, interdisciplinary projects including Stanford investigators are particularly encouraged. Research should be generalizable and have the potential for benefit to all individuals with 22q11.2DS. Proposals should demonstrate a clear potential for the research to generate robust preliminary data or novel directions in research which could lead to further funding by external funding agencies.
KEY DATES
LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: October 17, 2022 @ 11:59 pm (Pacific Time Zone)
Applicants should submit a 1-2 page letter of intent using the template provided. Category A applicants: You do not need to submit your LOI via your RPM.
FULL PROPOSAL (by invitation) DEADLINE: January 16, 2023 @ 11:59 pm (Pacific Time Zone)
Shortlisted applicants will be notified to proceed with full proposals by December 1st 2022.
Notification of proposals selected for funding is anticipated the week of February 20, 2023.
Project start date is March 1st, 2023. The performance period is for no longer than 2 years.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Letters of intent and full proposals will be reviewed by the Stanford MCHRI Uytengsu-Hamilton 22q11 Neuropsychiatry Research Awards Program Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and additional peer reviewers where required. Current SAB membership is available on the MCHRI website. Assessments will be based on the NIH Investigator-Initiated Review Criteria – significance, innovation, approach, research environment and investigator team – and the relevance and potential impact of the research on 22q11.2DS and its the neuropsychiatric outcomes.
MCHRI is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in all aspects of our work supporting research, education and resources in maternal and child health.
Questions? Contact:
Rachael Panizzo PhD, Program Director (rpanizzo@stanford.edu, 650-721-6720)
- 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
- Neuropsychiatry
Category A: Eligible applicants must be Stanford faculty holding Clinician Educator (CE), University Tenure Line (UTL), Research (NTL-Research), or Medical Center line (MCL) positions for the duration of the award. Visiting scholars are not eligible to serve as PI or Co-PI. They may serve as collaborators or sub-investigators. Applications may include co-investigators from other research organizations. Applicants may not be funded by another Stanford MCHRI 22q11.2DS Neuropsychiatry Research Awards Program award at the time of application (neither PI or Co-PIs). Resubmission proposals, and new proposals from applicants not funded in previous cycles, are eligible.
Category B: Eligible applicants must be faculty members at an eligible organization and have a contract of employment for the duration of the award. Eligible organizations include US and non-US, public and private higher education institutions and academic medical centers. Contact the Program Director prior to submitting a letter of intent to confirm eligibility.
Applicants may request support for personnel (undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral students, research assistants, associates, or faculty) and research-related expenses. Funds cannot be used for student tuition or fees, computer equipment, office supplies, ITCC communications, journal subscriptions, membership dues, poster presentations, abstract submissions, or any indirect research costs.
