The University of New Mexico

NMARC Seminars – Fall 2023 

“Treatments for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders” 
Jennifer Thomas, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, San Diego State University 
Thursday October 26, 2023 

“Behavioral interventions to mitigate the effects of developmental alcohol exposure on brain grey and white matter” 
Anna Klintsova, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Delaware 
Thursday November 16 2023 
New Mexico Alcohol Research Center 

1 University of New Mexico 
Albuquerque, NM  87131 

New Mexico Alcohol Research Center


1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Pilot Project Core

Project PilotThe Specific Aim of the Pilot Project Core is to promote new research projects in FASD research that build on and enhance the Center’s research activities. The primary objective is to recruit new investigators from diverse fields into the FASD research field.

These investigators will receive extensive mentoring and support, in all aspects of FASD research, including the preparation of independent research grants. Funds will be provided for obtaining preliminary data to position the investigators for competitive extramural funding. Investigators will also benefit from having access to all resources of the NMARC, including the Administrative Core. The Pilot Project Core is expected to increase the Center’s foundation of funded investigators, bring new areas of scientific expertise into the center, and forge new research directions in the FASD field.

 

Application Procedure

  • Tenure-track, research-track, or clinical-educator track faculty members at UNM, MRN, and nearby institutions will be eligible to apply for NMARC Pilot Project Applications. A requirement for applications from nearby institutions is that these involve a collaboration with UNM investigators.
  • The first priority will be to encourage applications primarily from new investigators that have not received R01 NIH research funding. The second priority will be established investigators from other fields who are interested in pursuing FASD research-related projects and bring complementary technical expertise to the NMARC.  The third priority will be applications from established alcohol investigators working on new areas of research that are outside their established area of expertise. 
  • Pilot project proposals will consist of an abstract, two-page research plan that includes a discussion of how the project will contribute to NMARC’s strategic objectives, a budget and budget justification, and a tentative timetable for the submission of a NIAAA grant to support the continuation of the work. Letters of support from the department chair and key collaborators are required as part of the application.  The application will also include biographical sketches for the PI and other key personnel, and information on other support and vertebrate animals or human subjects.

Review Procedure

All applications will undergo a rigorous peer-review process by two extramural FASD researchers with relevant expertise (either members of the Program Advisory Committee or other extramural researchers, depending on the nature of the project). The extramural reviewers will provide written constructive feedback on their application, including advice on whether a resubmission is encouraged. The evaluation criteria are:

  1. Significance of the research question, strength of the scientific premise, feasibility of the studies, and alignment to NMARC’s strategic goals.
  2. Appropriateness of the approach; scientific rigor and transparency, consideration of sex as a biological variable, use of state-of-the-art techniques and Administrative Core resources.
  3. Conceptual and technical innovation, including whether the project brings new expertise to the NMARC.
  4. Qualifications of the investigator, with preference given to new investigators without major NIH funding.
  5. Quality of plan for obtaining independent NIAAA funding; potential for obtaining extramural funding.
  6. Letter of support from department chair, including plan for career development of new investigators.

Timetable

October 1st, 2022: Call for applications and information sessions; Pilot Project Core PI and appropriate NMARC Investigators meet with interested faculty members.

November 1st, 2022: Letter of intent. Pilot Project Core PI to meet with Chairs and Center Directors, if there are too few applications.

February 1st, 2023: Deadline for Application Submission.

February-March, 2023: Review of applications.

April, 2023: Final decision made during Annual NMARC Meeting with Program Advisory Committee. Award notification provided to PIs. Written feedback provided to all applicants.

By May 1st, 2023: Meeting of new pilot project PIs with Pilot Project Core PI.

May-June, 2023: Submission of animal protocol to IACUC or human subjects protocol to IRB. Configuration of advisory team.

July 1st, 2023: Project begins. See Oversight Section for reporting requirements.