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NICHD Invites Participation in Obstetric Pharmacology Research Units

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invites applications to participate in the Obstetric Pharmacology Research Units Network to serve as a resource for performance of pharmacologic studies of drug disposition and effect during normal and abnormal pregnancies. The network will also serve as a resource for the training of health professionals, including pre- and postdoctoral fellows and PharmDs, in obstetric pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, and clinical trials in pregnant women. An applicant may request a project period of up to five years and a base budget for direct costs up to $650,000 per year. Applicants may not submit more than one application in response to this announcement. Applications are due by March 30, 2009. (more info)

NIH Sponsors Pathway to Independence Award

The primary purpose of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented NIH-supported independent investigators. The program is designed to facilitate a timely transition from a mentored postdoctoral research position to a stable independent research position with independent NIH or other independent research support at an earlier stage than is currently the norm. Because the nature and scope of the proposed K99/R00 award program will vary from application to application and the amounts provided by the participating institutes and centers are not uniform, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. Application deadlines are February 12, June 12, and October 12. (more info)

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Salud America! to Create Research Network to Prevent Obesity Among Latino Children

Salud America! is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that supports research on environmental and policy solutions to the epidemic of obesity among Latino children. The program also aims to develop a network of researchers whose findings will help identify the most promising obesity-prevention strategies specifically tailored for Latino communities. Investigators must propose a project in one of two general areas: (1) Research that has strong potential to inform policy; or (2) Evaluation of an existing policy or program, its implementation or its impact. Proposals must be submitted by an educational institution or nonprofit organization that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that is not a private foundation under Section 509(a) of the Code, that is located in the United States, and with which the proposed investigator is affiliated. Because the projects funded under this program require close collaboration with Latino communities, proposals are strongly encouraged from investigators who are of Latino descent, who have demonstrated a commitment to working with the Latino community or who can demonstrate a desire and capability to work on the issue of Latino childhood obesity. Research proposals submitted by junior investigators will be considered separately from proposals that are submitted by more experienced investigators. A maximum of 20 grants will be awarded through this single funding opportunity. Grants of up to $75,000 each, including indirect costs, will be awarded for a period of up to 24 months. Applications are due February 6, 2009. (more info)

Global Probiotics Council Invites Applications for Young Investigator Research Grant

The purpose of the Young Investigator Grant for Probiotics Research (YIGPRO) is to contribute to the advancement of probiotics and gastrointestinal microbiota research in the United States. The grant program objectives are to stimulate innovative research relevant to the field of gastrointestinal microbiota in the United States; to support young investigators in the United States and attract them into the field of probiotics and gastrointestinal microbiota; and to provide preliminary data for future funding from NIH and other funding sources. Research focus for 2009 is on the role of probiotics and gastrointestinal microbiota in health and disease. If the research project involves the use of potential probiotics, investigators must not work on commercial strains. Research on publicly available, non-commercial strains of potential probiotics is acceptable. Young investigators who are senior fellows with a committed faculty appointment or early faculty members within a maximum of five years of their first faculty appointment (appointments must be in the United States) may apply. Applicants must be interested in understanding the health benefits of probiotics and the relationship between probiotics, gastrointestinal microbiota, and the body. Candidates must be part of an established research program with the capacity to do research on microbiota and its role in health and disease. The annual grant amount is $50,000 per grant recipient with no more than 10 percent of this amount dedicated to overhead costs. Two grants will be funded per year with each given to different institutions in the United States. The application deadline is February 10, 2009. (more info)

Greater Worcester Community Foundation Invites Applications for Community Health Fund

The purpose of the Fallon/OrNda Community Health Fund is to advance projects that increase access to healthcare or health promotion services that improve the health status of vulnerable populations. Of particular interest are projects that result in the support or creation of primary care outreach services to vulnerable populations; the development of continuing managed care services rather than episodic or uncoordinated care; and the removal of barriers that prevent people from receiving services such as lack of transportation, cultural competency of providers, or language differences. Grants may be used for operational expenditures such as personnel costs, or for construction, renovation, equipment purchase, or other physical improvements. Applicants must be in the Worcester area. The deadline for applications is February 15, 2009. (more info)