UCSF Resource Allocation Program (RAP) Seeks Applications for Spring 2014 Cycle
The deadline to submit applications for a wide variety of intramural grant offerings is Monday, February 24, at 2 p.m.
UCSF's Resource Allocation Program (RAP), which offers a single online application process for a wide variety of intramural grant offerings, is now inviting applications for the Spring 2014 cycle.
The electronic-submission deadline is Monday, February 24, at 2 p.m.
During the Fall 2013 cycle the program reviewed 175 applications and made 63 awards; 36 percent of the grants reviewed were awarded. Thanks to the combined efforts of multiple funding agencies, a total of $2,091,925 was distributed to UCSF researchers.
Through a collaborative effort among UCSF intramural funding agencies, RAP facilitates the dissemination, submission, review and award of intramural research funding opportunities on campus. The program promotes research in the following disciplines: Basic Sciences, Clinical and Translational Sciences, Technology, Regulatory Sciences, and Population Sciences.
The grant mechanisms offered target a wide range of project types, including:
- Career Development
- International
- Multidisciplinary
- Pilots
- Technology
RAP welcomes two new funders this cycle: 1) the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS); and 2) the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education. This cycle will also see a renewed focus on team science multidisciplinary with the introduction of the Team Science Grant which has a maximum award amount of $75,000. All programs on campus are welcome to use RAP to coordinate their funding opportunities and we invite all faculty members to become reviewers and offer their skills to boost the review process and improve research efforts.
New Funding Opportunities Offered This Cycle:
- CAPS-HIV Innovative Grants, sponsored by the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS)
- Informing Tobacco Product Regulation, sponsored by the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education
- Team Science Grant, sponsored by CTSI-SOS, REAC and Academic Senate
Although applicants choose the most appropriate grant mechanism for submission through RAP, each application is considered simultaneously by multiple funding agencies, thus enhancing the likelihood of support for a proposal. The funding agencies collaborate toward the shared goal of supporting as much good science as possible.
Paul Volberding, MD
“One of the many advantages of the centralized RAP process is the opportunity for highly reviewed proposals to get funded even if the main funding agency has already committed all available support to other requests,” said Paul Volberding, MD, professor in the UCSF Department of Medicine and research director of UCSF Global Health Sciences. “Although Global Health Sciences could only support two pilots in the recent proposal round, two more did very well and were funded by the Academic Senate. Also, the various agencies allow more flexibility in eligibility, some accepting grants from post-doctoral fellows in addition to faculty members. RAP is a great model of the collaborative spirit of UCSF."
Most applications submitted through RAP will be reviewed by one of the 10 review committees organized by subject area and composed of faculty experts. Applications submitted to the following grant mechanisms, however, are reviewed independently of the RAP review process:
- Catalyst Awards
- Pilot Diabetes
- Pilot Obesity
RAP is managed by the Research Development Office (RDO) with funds provided by the School of Medicine and the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. RAP currently offers the flexibility to be utilized in three different modules:
- Submission and review of proposals
- Submission only, with review handled independently
- Promotion of funding opportunities
The RAP website contains information and resources useful in preparing a RAP grant submission. Templates of a well-done proposal and strong letters of support are available to guide junior investigators. Lists of past awardees and success stories are identified, enabling the opportunity for networking with colleagues recently awarded. The program’s statistics reveal useful information on the grants offered and indicate the likelihood for funding of a RAP application in any given grant category.
To find out more about RAP and to learn about the updates, visit its website. Eligibility criteria can be found at http://rap.ucsf.edu/determine-eligibility-compare-grants
For questions, please contact Emy Volpe via email or via phone (415) 502-1674.
Spring 2014 Participating Funding Agencies
- Academic Senate
- AIDS Research Institute (ARI)
- UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS) - NEW
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education - NEW
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Strategic Opportunities Support (CTSI-SOS)
- Clinical & Translational Science Institute, Catalyst Awards for the Development of Diagnostics, Devices, Therapeutics and Digital Health (CTSI-Catalyst)
- UCSF Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center (DERC)
- Gladstone Institute of Virology & Immunology Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Center Support Grant (CC-CCSG)
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mount Zion Health Fund (CC-MZHF)
- National Center of Excellence in Women's Health (NCOEWH)
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Mount Zion Health Fund (OCIM-MZHF)
- Research Evaluation and Allocation Committee of the School of Medicine (REAC)