SMS Research Foundation Annual Research Grant Program

Application Process

Stage 1: Concept Paper Submission

Deadline: July 16 (annually)

Required Components:
1. Cover letter from principal investigator including:
- Brief introduction to investigator(s)
- Goals of research
- Why project is a fit with SMS Research Foundation and its mission

2. Project Information:
- Project title
- Length of study (maximum 1 year; extensions considered based on scientific merit)
- Estimated requested amount (non-itemized; limit $81,000 including direct/indirect)
- Estimated total cost (may exceed requested amount if other funds will be used)
- Number and type of subjects/animals to be studied

3. Narrative Content (with character limits):
- Impact/Expected Outcomes (2500 characters or ~1/4 page): Describe how results will benefit SMS scientific community and translate into clinical/therapeutic benefit for individuals with SMS
- Background Information (2500 characters or ~1/4 page): Describe background information, prior studies, need for study, etc.
- Hypothesis(es) to be tested (2500 characters or ~1/4 page)
- Study Design (7500 characters or ~1.5 pages): Identify type of design (randomized, observational, proof of concept, etc.)
- Project Protocol (7500 characters or ~1.5 pages - MOST IMPORTANT): Describe basic design of study, including study groups, measures, sample collection, time points, and primary outcomes. This section should be primary focus of concept paper.

4. Additional information section for explanations of specific items in concept paper

Stage 2: Full Proposal Submission (if concept paper approved)

Deadline: September 3 (annually)

Required Components:

1. Project Information:
- Signed cover letter from senior administrative official endorsing project
- Synopsis/abstract including hypotheses, methods, expected outcomes
- Hypothesis(es) and objective(s)
- Proposal narrative (limit 10 pages, double-spaced) including:
- Goals, objectives, and methods to be used
- Description of evaluation measures to assess results and outcomes
- Expected impact to SMS community
- Timeline of events
- Outcomes/measures
- Plan for acknowledging Foundation support

2. Team Information:
- List of team members and contact information
- Uploaded biosketches of principal investigator and significant support staff
- For novice researchers: mentor in team list with biosketch

3. Budget:
- Uploaded line item project budget
- Indirect costs limited to 8%
- Salaries: Percentage of time applied to grant for PI and Co-PI
- Plan for project funding including description of any current/requested funding from other donors
- Budget summary including description of duties of investigator and major staff

4. Organization Information:
- Pre-award contact information (Development officer)
- Uploaded brief description of applying organization, programs, services, and populations served
- Uploaded IRS documentation indicating tax exempt status and not a private foundation (for non-government agencies)

5. Other Documents:
- Uploaded statement of collaborations with other institutions (sub-contracts, etc.)
- Uploaded scientific references
- Optional items: Letters of support, relevant news articles, annual report, newsletters

Submission Format

• Email or mail all correspondence to Christopher M. Iannuzzi, MD at cmiannuzzi@msn.com
• Format: Completed applications in PDF format (email submissions)
• Mailing address: Dr. Christopher Iannuzzi, 49 Granite Drive, Wilton, CT 06897

Peer Review

• Scoring based on NIH 9-point scale (1=exceptional; 9=poor)
• Evaluation Criteria: Significance, Investigator, Innovation, Approach, Environment, Overall Impact