ITHS Early Investigator Voucher Awards
SUPPORTING RESEARCH EFFORTS OF JUNIOR INVESTIGATORSThe ITHS is offering Voucher Awards as “in-kind” service vouchers in support of outstanding translational research. Our goal is to provide translational research studies with critical support needed for a project. Most facilities/resources that provide services on a fee-for service basis are eligible for participation in this program (see table below). These services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each investigator and can include assistance with biostatistics, bioethics, research coordination, data and safety monitoring, regulatory monitoring, biomedical informatics, or clinical support. Research involving human subjects or animals must have their IRB and/or IACUC protocols approved or have proof of exemption in order to be eligible for this award.
Federal Funding Delay
Please note that a delay in federal funding has paused much of ITHS’ grant activity. We are hoping this is a temporary pause, but due to the delay, ITHS will not be able to offer funding for the previously announced Quarter 2 round of Voucher awards with an April 7, 2025 application deadline. The next application deadline is July 7th and we hope to resume the program before then. Any questions about the ITHS pilot program should be sent to ithsadmn@uw.edu. We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.
Key Dates
Key Dates
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Awardees will be notified of the funding decision by the 1st of the month following 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 7 | February 1 | March 1-August 30 |
| April 7 round cancelled for 2025 | ||
| July 7 | August 1 | September 1-February 28 |
| October 7 | November 1 | December 1-May 30 |
Focus of RFA
Focus of the RFA
In your proposal, please describe:
- Which service voucher you are requesting from the table below;
- How this service voucher would assist your project;
- 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 voucher is a timely opportunity that will help you achieve a research goal that might otherwise not be possible.
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 NIH’s 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 on the research team must be ITHS Members to apply. To become a member, please complete the ITHS Membership Form.
Services
Services
ITHS OFFERS A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF RESEARCHERS, INCLUDING:
BIOSTATISTICS
- Grant Preparation / Study Design
- Choosing Statistical Methods
- Sample Size Determination
- Randomization & Blinding
- Data Analysis, including Secondary Data Analysis Multicenter Study Coordination
- Data Monitoring Plans
- Analytic Dataset Preparation
- Manuscript Collaboration
Voucher for services up to: $2,000.BIOETHICS
- In-Depth Conversation & Analysis Related to Development, Implementation, or Scrutiny of Clinical & Translational Research
Voucher for services up to: $1,000.RESEARCH COORDINATION
- Human Subjects Protection
- Regulatory Document Organization & Monitoring
- Protocol Development & Budgeting
- IRB Application & Compliance Support
- Study Implementation
- Interviewing Services
- Research Nurse
- Staff Training
- Lost-To-Follow-Up Tracking Service
Voucher for services up to: $1,000.DATA AND SAFETY MONITORING
- Ensure Continuing Participant Safety
- Evaluate Continued Validity & Scientific Merit of a Trial
- Assure Protocol Compliance & Data Accuracy
Voucher for services up to: $1,000.REGULATORY MONITORING
- Auditing Services
- Quality Assurance Monitoring Services
Voucher for services up to: $1,000.BIOMEDICAL INFORMATICS
- Accessing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Data
- Biospecimen Acquisition and Management Tools
- Computing and IT Support
- Study Data Management Tools
Voucher for services up to: $1,000.ADULT CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER
- Immunotherapy Studies
- High-Volume and/or Serial, Closely-Spaced Blood Draws
- Pharmacokinetic Studies
Voucher for services up to: $3,000.
- Learn more about our Research Services.
- If you need help selecting services, our Research Navigator can help.
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
Service voucher grants will be awarded 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 for that quarter on submission deadline days. Applications will be reviewed and awardees notifiedby the 1st of the month following the submission deadline. Vouchers will expire within 6 months of award notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Voucher 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 vouchers be dispersed prior to IRB/IACUC approval to aid the application process?
No, vouchers cannot be awarded until IRB/IACUC approval is confirmed.
Contact Us
Contact Us
For information regarding ITHS pilot programs, please contact Lindsie Boerger. Email her through the form below.