2009 Grant Instructions

Please include the following in your application.  Margins should be at least 5/8” around, and the suggested font is Arial, 11 point.

1. Face Page

The face page should include the following information:

    * Title of the Project
    * Principal Investigator
    * Principal Investigator Contact Information: Mailing Address; Phone Number; Fax Number;   e-mail address
    * Institutional Contact Information: Name; Mailing Address; Phone Number; Fax Number; e-mail address
    * Indicate if human subjects and/or animals are to be used. Note that institutional approval of animal or human subject protocols is not required at the time of submission, but funds will not be released until proof of approval is provided.
    * Signatures: The principal investigator should sign and date the face page, and an individual authorized to sign by the institution should also sign and date.

An acceptable form for Page 1 can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

2. Table of Contents

3. Abstracts

Technical Abstract - An abstract of not more than 350 words should provide a concise overview of the proposed studies. The abstract should include a brief background, objective/hypothesis, specific aims and study design.

Lay Abstract and Relevance Statement - (350 words max) Provide an abstract in non-technical terms for an informed lay person. The goal of this abstract is to communicate the rationale and scientific objectives of the study to the non-scientific community. The potential relevance of the proposed work to the mission of FPWR should be stated. Explain how the completion of the proposed study will significantly advance our understanding of Prader-Willi syndrome and/or develop a potential new therapeutic approach for the treatment of symptoms associated with PWS.

4. Budget and Justification

Budget: Budgets may not exceed $50,000 in direct costs; FPWR does not provide indirect costs. Provide the amount requested, broken down by categories: Personnel, Supplies, Equipment, Patient Costs, Travel, Other Expenses.  Provide a brief explanation of the costs in each category.  Include under ‘Personnel' a list of all of the key personnel involved in the project, the percent of their time to be spent on the project, and a brief description of their role.   Salary for the principal investigator is permitted, but should not exceed $10,000. Travel expenses up to $1,750 are allowed.  Equipment expenses may not exceed $3,000. 

The project period is one year; after a year of funding, grant recipients may compete for a second year of support.

5. Qualifications of the Investigators (Biosketch)

A National Institutes of Health (PHS 398)-style biographical sketch of the principal investigator and all key personnel should be included.  The information provided in the biographical sketch should include training, professional experience, relevant publications, current and pending grant support.  For Current and Pending Support, briefly summarize the goals of the project, the amount and duration of the award and the percent effort dedicated to the project.  The biographical sketch should not exceed four pages for each individual.

6. Revised Applications

For applications that have previously been submitted to FPWR, a one page “Introduction to the Revised Application” may precede the Research Plan.  This page should address the concerns raised by the reviewers in the previous submission, and indicate how the application has been revised to address the reviewers’ concerns.

7. Research Plan (5 page limit)

       1. Specific Aims: Concisely state the specific research goals of the proposal
(suggested length 1⁄2 page)

       2. Background and Significance: Explain the goals of the research in the context of the field, emphasizing the significance of the hypothesis to be addressed
(suggested length 1/2-1 page)

       3. Preliminary Studies: Preliminary data are welcomed, but because FPWR is particularly interested in new and innovative research, preliminary data are not required. (suggested length 1 - 1 1/2 pages)

       4. Experimental Design and Methods: Provide the details of the experimental plan that will be used to accomplish the specific aims.  Routinely used methods should not be described in detail; however, new or unusual methods should be described in enough detail to allow evaluation.  Identify potential limitations/pitfalls and alternative approaches.
(suggested length 2-3 pages)

8. Literature Cited (2 page limit)

9. Appendix
An appendix may be included with relevant reprints by key personnel, letters of support, and/or a clinical protocol.

Proposal Submission:
The grant proposal should be converted to a single pdf file and submitted by email to grants@fpwr.org. The first page should be signed, scanned and included in the pdf file. Alternatively, the application can be accompanied by an email from the administrative official authorized to sign for the Institution stating that the grant has been reviewed and approved by the institution's grant administration.

If electronic submission is not possible, please submit an original and four copies of the proposal to:

Grants Program
Foundation for Prader-Willi Research
104 Hume Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. EST, December 4, 2009.

Applicants notified: April 2010

Earliest start date for funded projects: June 1, 2010

Questions regarding the grant application and review procedures, or the suitability of a project with respect to FPWR priorities, can be sent by email to Theresa Strong, Grants Program Director at: grants@fpwr.org or by contacting FPWR.