Call for Applications - Research Funding Opportunity

Call for Applications – Research Project Leader (RPL)

Internal Competition for Major Research Funding: $140K/yr for 2 yrs.

KU’s NIH-funded Women’s Health CoBRE BD-WH is looking for 3-5 Research Project Leaders (RPLs).  Selected faculty will receive approximately $140K/year in direct costs in research funding for two years to complete a project aligned with the Center’s theme.  In addition to research funding, RPLs will receive a paid mentor, professional development support, and training in writing successful grant applications.  Research Project Leaders are expected to submit a major NIH grant application (ex: R01 or R35) before the completion of their second year of funding. 

Who is eligible?
  • KU-Lawrence tenure-track faculty at any rank.
  • You must not have had a major NIH grant (R01, R35) before. Smaller grants (R03 or R21), career development (K) or training/fellowship grants are allowed (T32,T34, F).
  • We cannot support clinical trials, but human subjects studies are allowed.
 
Application Process 

This competition uses a two-step application process. 

Phase 1 (Initial Screening) – Due August 7

Submit Specific Aims page* and the short application form by August 7. For the Aims page:  Arial 11 font; ½ in margins are allowed.  Length: 1 page maximum.

Phase 2 (Full Application) – If selected, due September 15

Applicants selected for Phase 2 have roughly a 50/50 chance of receiving an award.

Phase II materials include:

  • A six-page description of the project you described in Phase I
  • SciENcv NIH biosketch
  • Budget and budget justification

*If you are unfamiliar with the Specific Aims format, please view this document offering advice.  While it is not mandatory to follow their structure exactly, the resource gives a good overview of the expected components and best practices for writing an Aims page.

How to Be Competitive:

We encourage any eligible researcher who can propose a two-year research project related to Big Data and Women’s Health to apply.  Research that aligns with Women’s Health includes the study of any disease that is more common in women, such as autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, some cancers, dementia, depression, addiction, among others.  We also would support research studying how a disease impacts women and men differently or how best practices in care/treatment may differ by sex.  Studies can be basic science, employ animal and non-animal models, be geared toward human subjects, or use existing data of any type.  As a secondary theme, leveraging Big Data, we are looking for projects that are related to data science or that include a component of the theme somehow. A researcher could meet this criterion by collecting or using a large data set as part of their study.  Finally, we want to support Research Project Leaders who show strong potential for securing NIH funding and who would benefit from being part of this center. 

Important Dates:
  • Phase 1 applications due: August 7, 2026
  • Phase 2 applicants will be notified by ~August 15, 2026
  • If selected, Phase 2 applications due: September 15, 2026
  • Internal decision for funding recommendation: Anticipated November 1, 2026
  • Project start date, pending approval by NIH: Anticipated March 1, 2027
Questions?

We plan to have an informational Zoom meeting and question/answer session a couple of weeks before the Phase 1 deadline.  For an invite to that session, email Program Manager, Liz Coleman:  elizabethm@ku.edu.  You may also reach out with questions anytime.

Ready to Apply?

Email your Specific Aims page and application form to: elizabethm@ku.edu