SW CACTI Pilot Application Instructions and Templates

This page provides instructions and templates for investigators applying for SW CACTI Pilot Funding. Pilot proposals should focus on concise communication of the relevant information. This will help to demonstrate effective proposal writing and communication skills, and the likelihood of success in developing the full, competitive proposals to follow these pilots.

Application Process:

• Use the templates to develop the proposal
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions
• If invited to submit a full proposal, a formal letter with instructions and a REDCap link will be provided to the principal investigator.

Budget Guidelines  

Utilization of SW CACTI Core services is strongly encouraged and will be a review consideration. It is important that you schedule a meeting with the SW CACTI Research Navigator at UNM, Donna Sedillo, or UA, Maria Gordon, after being invited for a full application. This consultation step is required for planning purposes and to ensure effective use of SW CACTI Core services utilization for your research proposal.  

Responsible budgeting is critical for the 12-month project, and it is common to overestimate what you can accomplish in that limited time frame. Your proposed budget will be reviewed and potentially revised based on Peer Review and Core management feedback. If successfully funded, reallocation of the budget is strongly discouraged. However, consideration will be made for the reallocation of funds within SW CACTI Cores if justified. Prior approval is necessary. SW CACTI resources included in the budget will be covered using a non-refundable voucher program. These funds may not be reallocated to other expenses after the grant has been awarded. Rationale for not using SW CACTI Core services needs to be specifically justified. 

Costs not covered under these awards:  

• faculty salaries unless clinical FTE buyout 
• Clinical faculty may request up to 5% FTE with agreement from the Chair of their Department. A letter of confirmation from the Chair is required. 
• postdoctoral salaries  
• non-UNM HSC/UA staff salaries  
• graduate student support (stipends, tuition, etc.)  
• administrative or office supply costs (office supplies, paper, ink, telephone, etc.)  
• equipment > $5,000 (items < $5,000 are at the discretion of the committee and can be removed from the budget)  
• computers, laptops, tablets  
• monetary incentives to clinics or providers (e.g., recruitment bonus)  
• other items typically supported by indirect costs (publication costs, printing/duplication costs)

Important Notices:

• Each pilot submission must have its own standalone IRB protocol.
• Amendments or a sub-study/ancillary study to an existing IRB-approved parent protocol are not allowed.
• Pilot application title must match IRB protocol title and be reflected on the approval letter.
• Principal Investigator of the pilot application must match the Principal Investigator on the IRB protocol and be reflected on the approval letter.
• Applications without IRB submission by the IRB submission deadline listed in the RFA will be administratively disqualified. This provides HRPO with efficient time to review all submissions prior to the application deadline.
• Projects that do not have IRB determination by the deadline isted in the RFA will not be considered for funding.
• Applications must include proof of IRB approval or IRB Determination of non-human subjects research.
• NIH requires their prior approval of all projects containing human subjects research or vertebrate animals that are supported by NCATS Funds. CTSA administrators will start this process after a project is chosen for funidng. There will be a Just In Time notification sent to those projects that enter this process.
• All projects involving human subjects, are strongly encouraged to meet with the CTSA’s Regulatory Affairs Manager for consultation and planning purposes. Refer to the RFA for further specific information.

Helpful Links

Current Funding Opportunities
Funding Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
Huron IRB submission system