A gift from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation has established the Eli and Edythe Broad Innovation Awards in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at USC.

This year, we are seeking innovative proposals to utilize the Chang Stem Cell Engineering Facility, the Choi Therapeutic Screening Facility, the Optical Imaging Facility, and the Flow Cytometry Facility. Studies broadly related to the center’s research themes are eligible for funding. Awardees will receive $120,000 of direct support, $20,000 of which will be used to cover services in the stem cell center’s shared research facilities. Direct support may cover personnel salaries (up to 10% of PI salary), supplies, and minor equipment (up to $5,000). All USC faculty with PI privileges are eligible to apply. One goal of the award is to cement new collaborative interactions and seed new funding opportunities in stem cell research and regenerative medicine across USC. Multi-investigator proposals creating teams competitive for funding after the termination of this award are particularly encouraged to apply.

A five-page proposal (see guildline below) is due by 5 p.m. February 4, 2019. Award decisions will be made by March 1, 2019, with the initiation of funding expected on March 18, 2019. Funding is for one year only.

Applications should be submitted to Dr. Qing Liu-Michael (qliumich@med.usc.edu) by the February 4 deadline.

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES:

1. Title of proposal, name of PIs and their academic affiliations
2. Abstract (one-half page or less): Describe the primary objective of the proposed research, the key components of the research design, and the significance and clinical relevance of the research.
3. Project proposal (up to but not exceeding 5 pages): Include the research aims, background to projects, preliminary research from team members, a description of the research to be carried out and the expected results.
4. Significance (one-half page): How will research enhance our understanding and application of stem cell action or regenerative mechanisms? Is there additional benefit to USC from funding this program?
5. Collaboration (one-half page): Describe the added benefit of the collaborative enterprise to meeting the aims of the research and the roles of each named investigator.
6. Sustainability (one-half page): Indicate how meeting the aims of the research is expected to result in sustained funding beyond the project period.
7. PI bios (one-half page): Describe any salient features of the PI’s track record, experience, funding, etc. that are useful for program evaluation.
8. Brief budget
9. Appendix: NIH biosketch for each investigator