COVID-19

Call for Proposals: COVID-19 Research Accelerator Funding Track (CRAFT)

Program Overview

In response to the unprecedented research challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the UC Davis Office of Research is launching the second call of the COVID-19 Research Accelerator Funding Track (CRAFT) which aims to provide awards to support research activity on campus that was negatively affected by the pandemic and pandemic response.

This call is open to researchers in all disciplines and all topics performing work at UC Davis and UC Davis Health. Projects need not be limited to COVID-19 or pandemic research, but must provide a clear justification of how the pandemic disrupted their research progress, and how funds would assist in alleviating obstacles and delays created by, for example, reduced access to facilities, reduced access to services and supplies, restricted travel, etc.

Strong preference will be given to projects that:

  • Present a strong scientific rationale and clearly describe deliverables and associated timelines;
  • Explicitly describe the disruptive impacts on their work derived from the pandemic and pandemic response;
  • Provide an appropriately justified budget necessary and sufficient to support the proposed work;
  • Provide a clear sustainability plan ideally identifying plans to apply for specific follow-on extramural funding.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must have Principal Investigator (PI) status at UC Davis, and fall within the following categories:
  • Early Career Researchers
  • Mid-Career Researchers (no more than 2 years from Associate level promotion)
  • Academic Federation members are eligible.
  • Funds will only be provided to UC Davis researchers. External collaborators are welcomed, but must provide confirmation of matching cash or in-kind contributions to the project.

Award Details

Up to $40,000 per award. Funding may be requested to support temporary personnel costs such as assignment of research staff, postdoctoral fellows or graduate students, purchases of small pieces of equipment, consumables, analytical services, or other project expenses. Collaborative efforts with extramural partners are welcomed, but no funds will be released to extramural partners. Extramural partners are expected to make in-kind or cash contribution, clearly described within the proposal narrative and budget.

Travel for research, conference participation or workshops is allowed, but must to be properly justified.

Faculty salaries, and tuition (resident and non-resident) are not eligible expenses. Temporary salary contributions for postdocs, staff and graduate students are allowed.

 

Important Dates

November 28, 2022        Application Deadline

(applications only via UC Davis InfoReady Platform)

December 16, 2022        Decision Notifications

(notifications via email from UC Davis InfoReady)

 

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online by November 28th, 2022, 11:59 PM.

Applicants should prepare the following materials for direct input/upload to InfoReady:

  1. Abstract, not to exceed 150 words.
  2. Project Narrative (including description of research disruption due to pandemic), not to exceed 1200 words (references not included in page limit).
  3. Total amount of funds requested.
  4. Budget Description and Narrative. Briefly describe expense categories and amounts request for each.
  5. Biosketches or CVs for PI and all co-PIs. Upload as a single PDF document or provide links to up-to-date online profiles.

Review and Selection Process

Proposals will undergo an initial review for any errors in completion or other non-substantive issues.

Proposals will then be provided to the Review Committee.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Scientific merit. A clear and strong scientific rationale for the work.
  • Feasibility. The work is achievable in the proposed timelines and with the requested budget support.
  • Sustainability. The research products can be used as preliminary data for extramural funding, and specific extramural funding opportunities have been identified.

Proposals of clinical nature will undergo additional review to confirm IRB and other protocols and procedures are feasible or already in place. Feedback will be requested from appropriate groups such as the COVID-19 Data and Specimen Stewardship Committee, IRB, or others as needed.

Based on ranking of proposals received and the total budget available, the Funding Committee will make final funding decisions.

Post-award expectations

  • Funds must be expended within 12 months.
  • Team will submit application to at least one extramural funding program.
  • A progress report must be submitted at end of the project period.

Contact information

For questions about this seed funding program, please contact:

Strategic Initiatives Team [email protected]

 

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