March of Dimes - Discovery Research Grants

Eligibility

March of Dimes invites submissions from:

• Health professionals, health researchers, epidemiologists, and social scientists with doctoral academic degrees and either a faculty appointment or equivalent at academic universities, hospitals, and research institutions;
• Those who are employees of small businesses, startup companies, non-profit organizations; or
• Pharmaceutical companies committed to research in the area of maternal and infant health.

These applications are not limited to US citizens. The award is open to global applicants. Applicants may not hold any other current March of Dimes grants when applying.

Requests for exceptions on timing (e.g., parental leave) may be submitted to Courtney Dower at (cdower@marchofdimes.org).    

Summary

Areas of research:

1. Spontaneous preterm birth.
2. Decreasing Maternal and Infant Morbidity and Mortality by Improving Access to High Quality Health Care.
3. Cardiovascular health conditions developed during pregnancy or exacerbated during pregnancy.

How to apply:

The entire process must be completed online at https://modresearchgrants.aibs-scores.org.

Applicants may only submit one application, listing themselves as either a Primary Investigator or Co-Primary Investigator.

Required information:

• Application for the proposed research, which includes:
  • Title and abstract of proposed project
  • Statement of objective and hypothesis
  • Preliminary data and background studies
  • Research approach and intended deliverables
• Budget and budget justification
• Candidate’s biographical sketch
• Facilities available
• Current and pending financial support: list each grant or contract for the conduct of this research. If there is support, please state “NONE”

Overhead

Total award amount ($200,000) is inclusive of 10% allowable indirect costs.

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.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the March of Dimes application portal: https://modresearchgrants.aibs-scores.org/ 

Additional Information:

March of Dimes works with a variety of researchers from around the world. We hope that our awardees view their time as scholars, grantees, or center partners as mutually beneficial, and with value beyond the monetary consideration. 

We expect our awardees to attend key meetings that pertain to their award program, or assign an appropriate delegate if not possible. We expect members of our research centers to collaborate scientifically and collegially with other centers or non-profit organizations that are identified during the course of the award period. We expect that our awardees will attend scientific meetings that may be established by March of Dimes and use good faith efforts to help March of Dimes raise funds for future awards through attendance at some events, interviews, or other public-facing opportunities.

We expect our awardees to make an impact on the thematic areas outlined in our strategic plan as they relate to their awards. To that end, we expect awardees to notify us of publications, posters, and presentations so that we may help amplify their good work to the public. 

These efforts are intended to amplify success of our current and future awardees.

Questions:  
Please direct any questions to researchgrantssupport@marchofdimes.org.

Additional Resources for Faculty

Using RMS:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application

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 to Impact Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KTI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information, please visit the KTI 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.