CCaTS-ISP Pilot Award

The pilot award for the Integrating Special Populations (ISP) Program, from Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) offers funds to support research that addresses the needs of patients in the following populations: older adults, patients with rare diseases and young people. The IPS Pilot Award is designed to promote projects that support these patient populations while also engaging community groups that work with ISP members.

The scope of projects funded by the ISP Pilot Award should include resources and patient registries with Mayo's wealth of clinical knowledge and expertise to uncover and apply new ways to predict, diagnose and treat patients.

Proposals must be aligned to support at least one of the three focus areas in ISP:

  • Older adults.
  • Patients with rare diseases.
  • Pediatrics including adolescents and young adults.

Proposals also must utilize one or more of the following Mayo Clinic research resources.

  1. Tapestry. An exome sequencing resource for rare and common diseases, the Tapestry study involves the patient records of several thousand participants with rare diseases. Using data from the Tapestry study, which has collected clinical-grade whole-exome sequencing information from more than 70,000 participants, is encouraged. Access the Tapestry — ICD-9/10-CM Codes and Phenotypes Browser to search for persons with rare diseases and older adults with common diseases of interest enrolled in the study. Currently, almost 35% of participants are over the age of 65, and around 55% are female. To access these resources, log in to the Mayo Clinic network.
  2. Rochester Older Adult Registry. This registry prospectively collects and analyzes data on a large cohort of older adults from primary care populations. Registry data include demographics, clinical data, physical functioning and laboratory results.
  3. Mayo Clinic Umbilical and Placental Tissues Biobank. This biobank collects paired maternal and umbilical cord blood samples that can be processed for various traits in the blood, including serum, DNA, RNA and cells. Studies use the serum, DNA and RNA obtained from cord blood and other blood to understand health and disease. The biobank offers unique collaborative opportunities for multi-omics and exposome-based research.
  4. Children's Research Center. The center supports numerous research efforts focused on improving the lives of children including an adolescent autonomic dysfunction registry and biobank. The effort collects clinical information as well as blood and stool samples from adolescents. These patients show signs of autonomic dysfunction such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea and abdominal discomfort. The center collects patient data using validated, standardized survey tools and through reviewing clinical charts. Samples are gathered including blood — for potential biochemical, immunological and genetic testing — and stool — for microbiome analysis. Equipment and facilities-related resources supporting this research project include:
    • The secure research drive and SPSS are provided by the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
  5. Mayo Clinic Biorepositories Program. Log in to the Mayo Clinic network to learn more about this program, which provides access to several centralized biospecimen collections:
  6. Pediatric Advisory Board. With oversight by CCaTS, this group seeks to foster engagement of medical research for adolescents, by adolescents. The Pediatric Advisory Board engages teenagers to provide their feedback to research investigators on various topics and projects. Board members are youth between the ages of 13 and 16 who reside in the Rochester, Minnesota, area.
    • Researchers interested in using the Pediatric Advisory Board can contact Tobias C. Wolf for further information.

Note: Proposals should demonstrate how studies can be inclusive to individuals and encourage participation from ISP communities. Proposals also can show community engagement and the development of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the applications.

Eligibility

All Mayo investigators with an M.D., Ph.D., or other doctoral-level degree are eligible to apply. Eligible positions include:

  • Consultant.
  • Senior associate consultant.
  • Associate consultant.
  • Research fellow.
  • Clinical fellow.
  • Resident.
  • Nurse scientist.
  • Research scientist.
  • Research associate.

Individuals in the process of transitioning from mentored career development awards to independent awards are encouraged to apply.

Funding

CCaTS will fund up to two awards from this request for applications. Awards provide up to $50,000 a year in direct costs for one year. Extensions are considered only under extenuating circumstances.

Unallowable expenses include capital equipment and computers or laptops.

Recipients of grants or awards supported by CCaTS may be asked to review applications for other CCaTS grants.

Application information

Timeline

Pre-applications — previously called letters of intent — are due by 5:00 p.m. Central time on October 1, 2024. They should be submitted through the START Application Tool. Log in to the Mayo Clinic network to access.

Applicants are invited to submit full applications after review of the pre-applications.

Full applications are due by 5:00 p.m. Central time on December 10, 2024. They should be submitted through the START Application Tool. Log in to the Mayo Clinic network to access.

The anticipated award date is Spring of 2025.

Full application requirements

Applicants are required to include the following as attachments with their full applications:

  • Biosketches for faculty team members using the National Institutes of Health's (NIH's) new biographical sketch format.
  • Brief budget justification.
  • Letter(s) of support (if applicable).

A formal Mayo Integrated Research Information System (MIRIS) budget prepared by the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (OSPA) is not required at the time of application. If the project is selected for funding, the awardee will work with Sue J. Rubow and OSPA to create a MIRIS funding proposal and budget.

Review criteria

CCaTS applies the following criteria when reviewing applications for the ISP Award:

  • Scientific merit, with a strong emphasis on impact and innovation.
  • Feasibility within the time and budget proposed.
  • Qualifications of the investigators.

Note: Access to data collected from the above resources may require IRB approval of the study aims and proposal.

Reporting

Annual progress reports are required for up to two years beyond the end date of the award.

Publications

The NIH Public Access Policy requires that all publications resulting from NIH funding be uploaded to PubMed Central. Recipients of CCaTS awards, including intramurally funded awards, must follow this policy. The Mayo Clinic Public Access Policy intranet site (must be logged in to the Mayo Clinic network) guides awardees through the process of uploading publications.

Please remember to cite the Mayo Clinic CCaTS grant in your publication.

Contact

For scientific questions, email Robert J. Pignolo, M.D., Ph.D.

For questions about the request for applications or the START Application Tool, email Sue J. Rubow.