NIH Grants: Boost Your Environmental Research!

Purpose. The purpose of the ViCTER program is to foster transdisciplinary collaboration and promote translational research efforts between and among basic (technology and mechanism oriented), clinical (patient-oriented) and population-based researchers and other individuals with expertise relevant to environmental health who have come together in common interest around a particular environmental stressor(s) of interest. The ultimate goal of the Consortia Program is to accelerate the exchange of knowledge and resources among collaborators to improve human health in those areas where environmental factors are known or expected to influence the development or progression of disease. Each virtual consortium will consist of an NIEHS-funded researcher (lead applicant), who will serve as the principal investigator and overall coordinator of the consortia, and two new collaborators.

The Competitive Revision application should include one to two new specific aims for the current NIEHS-funded research project and one to two specific aims from each of the new collaborators that will significantly expand the scope of the current project with the goal of making the research more transdisciplinary and translational in nature and stimulating synergy among the collaborators. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Competitive Revision Award mechanism to supplement current NIEHS-funded R01 awards. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards.

NIEHS intends to commit $2.5 million in FY2010 to fund 5-7 new Competitive Revision awards in response to this announcement. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.