Purpose

The Magee-Womens Research Institute, Erie Campus sponsored MWRI-PSB Collaborative Seed Grant program was established to promote collaboration between investigators of Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) and Penn State Behrend (PSB). These funds are designed to provide short-term funding of a pilot project or to fund a new direction of an existing project that will lead to competitive applications for externally sponsored grants. While the project may be completed on one campus, it is the intent of this grant to foster active participation from researchers of both campuses.

Funding and Allowable Costs:

• Awards will be capped at a total of $25,000 and smaller dollar applications are encouraged.
• Allowable costs include supplies, staff salary/benefits, mileage to research sites, and fees for core services. Please note that faculty salary and benefits are not allowable costs.
• Note: indirect costs (overhead costs) are not allowable under this program.

Eligibility:

Proposals for funding must include a MWRI investigator AND a full-time faculty member of Penn State Behrend College (Tenured, Tenure track or Non-Tenure Track).

Project Duration:

• All projects should be completed within 1-2 years of the start date.

• In general, carryover of unused funds will not be provided. In unusual circumstances, an awardee may apply to the Grant Committee for a no-cost extension of up to six months.

General Terms:

• Each award recipient is required to provide a written report of their progress toward the proposed goals of the project.
• For projects with a two-year timeline, the second year of funding is contingent on adequate progress against benchmarks/goals in year one.
• At the end of the grant term, unspent funds will be refunded to HHF.
• The timeline for receipt and routing of progress reports is coordinated by the Administrator, who will send reminders to the recipients.
• End of project reports are required within two months of the close of the grant period.
• Investigators must adhere to research regulatory compliance as mandated by their respective institutions (CITI modules or PSU’s Scholarship and Research Integrity (SARI) Training).

Each proposal will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Significance of the project
• Plan and potential for extramural funding
• Quality of the approach or methods
• Feasibility of the project, including the budget

Application Format and Instructions:

The proposal must be emailed and must not exceed three pages (Arial, 11 point, single spaced) and must include the following sections:

• Cover Page: GENERAL INFORMATION
  • Name, title, and contact information of co-Principal Investigators
  • Name, title of Co-Investigator(s)
  • Proposal Title
  • Proposed start date and project duration
  • Abstract (Provide a summary of your proposal plan. Maximum 200 words)
  • Describe contributing role of each investigator to the project.

• HYPOTHESIS and aims

• SIGNIFICANCE of the problem / IMPACT on the field / INNOVATION in approach

• PROJECT PLAN (Experimental design) (Include preliminary data if available, provide details sufficient to support feasibility)

• PLAN FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING (Include name of funding source and the program where you intend to submit your proposal. Describe how the proposed seed grant funding will enable or enhance your prospects for obtaining external funding)

• PROJECT TIMELINE (Include benchmarks/measurable outcomes/deliverables) (up to two years).

Not included in the three-page limit:

• IACUC or IRB protocol (if applicable), required before funding begins (Please append)

• References: up to one single-sided page

• NIH bio sketch (for Co-PIs only)

• Letter(s) of support, if relevant (e.g., from mentor, collaborator)

Budget and Justification: (Components may include)

• Salary and benefits for research staff

• Research supplies

• Travel to research sites

• Fees for core services

Note: 1 of the PI’s should be designated as the contact PI for the purpose of receiving communications. Budgets should be broken down by campus.

For 2023/2024 Cycle:

Applications are due by 2/2/2024 at 11:59pm and should be emailed to Jeff Hart (hartjc@upmc.edu)

Interim Report

Final Report

2020-2021:

Role of signal-induced oxidation of ERK in substrate selection important for cell migration. Jeremiah Keyes, PhD and Carola Neumann, MD

Using environmentally realistic PCB exposure levels to estimate the risk of breast cancer development in Erie county residents. Adam M. Simpson PhD, Ashley E. Russell, PhD, Jeremiah Keyes, PhD, Samuel A. Nutile, PhD and Ronald J. Buckanovich, MD

2021-2022:

Multifunctional Bio-based Polyurethane Smart Mesh for Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence. Samy Madbouly, PhD, Amanda M. Artsen, MD and Pamela A. Moalli, MD

Exploration of the Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Knowledge Gap through Online Crowdsourcing and Patient Stakeholder Perspectives. Megan Bradley, MD, Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, PhD, Christopher Shelton, PhD

2022-2023:

Techniques for Applying Estrogen for Prevention of Recurrent UTIs. Stephanie Zou, MD, Ashley Russell, PhD

2023-2024:

Estradiol and Androgen Regulation of Prostate Smooth Muscle Contraction in BPH/LUTS Via PPP1r Protein-PP1c Phosphatase Interaction. William Walker, PhD and Jeremiah Keyes, PhD