Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative

Eligibility

Each applicant organization must be a nonprofit academic or research institution, including domestic and non-US nonprofit organizations, domestic and non-US public/private academic universities or institutions of higher learning (including colleges, universities, medical schools, and other related academic research institutions); certain qualified governmental agencies with active biomedical research programs may also apply. 

All proposed research projects must be led by a PI who holds a doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, or related research doctorate degree). The PI must be an independent investigator. 

Institutions may submit more than one proposal, but each proposal must be led by a unique PI. 

Summary

ATF-BSI intends to award four to six two-year research grants led by doctorate-level investigators at qualifying research-based institutions around the world. Projects led by individual researchers will be eligible for up to US$200,000 in funding for direct costs per year plus 15 percent in indirect costs, totaling US$230,000 per year, and US$460,000 over two years. Interdisciplinary teams will be eligible for up to US$250,000 in funding for direct costs per year plus 15 percent in indirect costs, totaling US$287,000 per year for a total of $575,000 over two years. 

Interdisciplinary teams are defined here as either a team of two principal investigators (PIs) comprising a sarcoidosis expert and a researcher from a separate field relevant to the project, or a team submitting a proposal with one basic science expert and one clinical expert that incorporates both clinical and basic science aims. Funded investigators will be eligible for a third year of funding with satisfactory progress within the first 18 months. 

We are open to proposals investigating sarcoidosis in any organ system, but studies examining organ systems outside of the lungs and heart will be prioritized. The scientific focus of sarcoidosis proposals should address one or more of the following focus areas:  

● Studies that seek to understand the underlying causes of clinical heterogeneity in sarcoidosis, employing approaches inclusive of genetics, molecular biology, and epidemiological studies 

● Studies that examine the heterogeneity of responses to therapeutics 

● Research projects that examine the genetic, social, and/or environmental determinants of sarcoidosis development, progression, and persistence 

● Studies on other potential causes of sarcoidosis, including autoimmune and/or infectious risks for sarcoidosis 

● Studies that seek to understand the biology of granuloma formation, propagation, and persistence in sarcoidosis 

● Investigations into the immunobiology of sarcoidosis, such as immunotyping and immunodissections 

● Studies that elucidate the mechanisms of downstream effects and comorbidities in sarcoidosis (e.g., fibrosis) 

● Studies that involve the application of new tools or technologies that will improve the understanding of the basic biology of sarcoidosis 

● Ancillary studies that examine the cellular and molecular biological effects of off-label therapeutics 

● Development or improvement of a computational, cellular, or animal model for further investigation of sarcoidosis Studies may be performed in human, mouse, cell, or computational models. Applicants proposing to use human samples must describe the demographics of their cohort. 

Overhead

15%

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

APPLYING: OPTIONAL LOI

All applicants are encouraged to submit an optional LOI, which shall be reviewed by the ATF-BSI review team. The LOI will be an opportunity for initial feedback on the project. Applicants who propose relevant projects will be notified that their project falls within the scope of the program. If ATF-BSI informs an applicant that their project does not fall within the scope of the program, the applicant is still able to submit a full proposal, but ATF-BSI would advise changing the scope of the project. As the LOI is optional, all applicants can submit a full proposal, regardless of their submission of an LOI.  

1. Optional letter of intent. 

The LOI is a one-page letter briefly stating intent to apply for a grant, project title, and project aims. The LOI also requires the applicant organization’s legal name; PI name, degree, position, and contact information; and the organization’s tax ID (for US) or registered charity number.  

a. LOIs are due Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time. 

b. LOIs should be submitted via the Survey Monkey Apply grant portal, which can be accessed via this link: https://Milken.smapply.io/prog/sarcoidosisgrant. 

c. Should ATF-BSI team, in its sole discretion, find that a project described in an LOI falls in the scope of the program, the applicant will be notified by email within approximately two weeks of the LOI submission deadline. 

**The LOI is an opportunity for initial feedback and provides a chance to alter the project as needed before submitting a full proposal.** 

APPLYING: FULL PROPOSAL

A formal proposal outlining the intended project shall be no more than eleven (11) pages in length, outlining the intended project. Please see application documents for full instructions. 

a. Full proposals are due Monday, January 20, 2025 by 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time. 

KEY DATES AND TIMELINE

1. Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Informational session on sarcoidosis and the Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative will be held over Zoom at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Please use the following link to register: https://milkeninstituteorg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvc-qurTwiGt2vibznS--LHkKHgyA7Eyou  

2. Wednesday, October 23, 2024: Voluntary letters of intent due via the Survey Monkey Apply grant portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. 

3. Friday, November 8, 2024: Those who submitted an LOI will be notified whether their proposed project is within the scope of the program. Those who submit an LOI are permitted to make modifications to the project before submitting a full proposal. 

4. Monday, January 20, 2025: Applicants shall submit their full proposals via the Survey Monkey Apply grant portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Note that if an applicant missed the LOI deadline, they can still submit a full proposal by this deadline.  

5. April 2025: Awardees who are selected for funding are notified. 

6. June 2025: Projects begin. 

7. Summer 2025: The Funded Investigators Meeting takes place. Lead PIs of funded teams are expected to attend. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available internally through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Support for Knowledge Engagement:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation is available internally through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information, please visit the KE team webpage.

Support for Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@libanswers.ucalgary.com and/or visit https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/researchdatamanagement.

Support for EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information.

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application