ITHS Catalyst Awards
SUPPORTING RESEARCH EFFORTS OF JUNIOR INVESTIGATORSThe ITHS offers Catalyst Awards to provide “just-in-time” resources especially to early career investigators looking to complete a project or collect pilot data for a larger grant application. Investigators can receive a maximum of $5,000 (direct costs only) toward the purchase of supplies or core services not provided by ITHS. If your research includes Human Subjects or Animals, you can apply if your IRB or IACUC is currently approved or exempt.
Key Dates
Key Dates
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Awardees will be notified of the funding decision about 2 weeks after the application deadline. The period of performance begins 2 months after the application deadline and lasts for 6 months.
| Application Deadline | Awardees Notified | Period of Performance |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | January 15 | March 1-August 30 |
| April 1 | April 15 | June 1-November 30 |
| July 1 | July 15 | September 1-February 28 |
| October 1 | October 15 | December 1-May 30 |
Focus of the RFA
Focus of the RFA
Applications should describe a trajectory of past progress, current specific aims and milestones that are feasible within the funding limits. A vision for how attainment of the proposed milestones will enable future work, and the potential scope and impact of future work if the current project is successful.
In your proposal, please describe:
- How this work will address a critical transition anywhere along the translational path from basic laboratory research to a disseminated diagnostic or therapeutic use
- How this award is a timely opportunity that will help you achieve a research goal that might otherwise not be possible
- How your research has led to an exciting translational research question that could form the basis of a new grant
Eligible Investigators
Eligible Investigators
Early Stage Investigators at ITHS Partner Institutions, including the University of Washington, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and other academic institutions affiliated with the University of Washington through the ITHS in the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) region and who meet the NIH definition of an Early Stage Investigator are eligible to apply for this Early Investigator Catalyst Award. Post- doctoral Associates, Fellows, Research Scientists are also eligible to apply. Applications are limited to one per investigator.
All Investigators must be ITHS Members to apply. Membership is free. To become a member, please complete the ITHS Membership Form.
Eligible Purchases
Eligible Purchases
Costs may include materials, supplies and/or services. Catalyst Awards may not be used to pay for personnel salary, benefits, effort, or consultant time. Budget must include anticipated costs – funds cannot be used to reimburse individuals. Indirect costs are not allowed.
Application Process
Application Process
Application
The application must be submitted through the ITHS website.
Applications will follow National Institutes of Health (NIH) formatting guidelines (see FAQ) and include:
121 KB1) Cover Page2) Project Title and Abstract (250 word maximum)
3) Research Plan, 2-pages (references do not count toward page limit)
35 KB5) NIH format Biosketches for all investigators (senior/key personnel)
3) Research Plan, 2-pages (references do not count toward page limit)
Timeline
Catalyst awards will be granted on a quarterly basis from a set amount of funding per quarter. Applications will remain open year round but submissions will close for consideration by 5 pm Pacific Daylight Time on submission deadline days. Applications will be reviewed and awardees notified within 2 weeks of the submission deadline. Awards will expire within 6 months of award notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Early Investigator Catalyst Awards
No, this is an internal grant and does not need to be routed through OSP and does not require an eGC1.
Do figures and references count toward the 2-page Research Plan limit?
Figures DO count toward the 2-page limit, but references can be in addition to the 2-page Research Plan.
Are there any formatting requirements?
Applications will follow National Institutes of Health (NIH) formatting guidelines (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/format-and-write/format-attachments.htm), including the following:
Font (size, color, type density) and Line Spacing
- Font size: must be 11 points or larger (smaller text in figures, graphs, diagrams and charts is acceptable as long as it is legible when the page is viewed at 100%).
- Type density: must be no more than 15 characters per linear inch (including characters and spaces)
- Line spacing: must be no more than six lines per vertical inch.
- Text color: must be black (color text in figures, graphs, diagrams, charts, tables, footnotes and headings is acceptable).
- We recommended the following fonts, although other fonts (both serif and non-serif) are acceptable if they meet the above requirements:
- Arial
- Garamond
- Georgia
- Helvetica
- Palatino Linotype
- Times New Roman
- Verdana
Citations
- We do not require a specific citation format.
Paper Size and Margins
- Use paper size no larger than standard letter paper size (8 ½” x 11”).
- Provide at least one-half inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) for all pages. No applicant-supplied information can appear in the margins.
Are supplemental documents allowed?
No, supplemental documents are not allowed.
I have previously been awarded funds by the ITHS. Am I still eligible to receive this award?
Yes, previous ITHS awardees are eligible to receive additional funding.
Can the awards be dispersed prior to IRB/IACUC approval to aid the application process?
No, funds cannot be dispersed until IRB/IACUC approval is confirmed.
What types of costs will the award support?
The purpose of this award is to support investigators with the purchase of materials, supplies, and/or service costs. Costs will be paid by ITHS either directly to the vendor or can be reimbursed to the investigator’s institution/department, and must be pre-approved. Items can only be reimbursed if the purchase was made after the award date.
Contact Us
Contact Us
For information regarding ITHS pilot programs, please contact Lindsie Boerger. Email her through the form below.