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Pilot Project Program in Hemostasis and Vascular Biology (P3HVB)

The VMI was established at the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 as a home for rigorous, cutting edge, basic and translational research in hemostasis, red blood cell biophysics, transfusion medicine, cardiovascular biology, mitochondrial biology, and nitrite-nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species biochemistry in order to expand understanding of the control of blood flow to organ systems; with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapies for vascular pathologies.

The due date for the FY25 cycle is March 29, 2024

Program Summary

The VMI Pilot Project Program in Hemostasis and Vascular Biology (P3HVB) is intended to attract investigators new to the general areas of hemostasis and vascular biology by seeding innovative and translational research projects that have the potential to open new avenues for critical research in the general areas of:

  • Hemostasis and platelet biology, especially as focused on the integration of the roles of red cells, platelets, and hemostatic factors
  • Hemophilia and other clotting disorders
  • Platelet Transfusion
  • Transfusion medicine
  • Small pilot clinical trials in above areas or vascular biology

Please note that P3HVB mechanism does not support projects centered on sickle cell disease.

The program will support grants of $25,000 for one year duration. Applications for new projects may request up to $50,000 with appropriate justification.

Eligibility

All University of Pittsburgh faculty members are eligible to apply as principal investigators.

Instructors, fellows, and postdoctoral researchers may also apply as principal investigators if they can demonstrate a track record of research success, if there is a research mentoring plan from a qualified faculty member at the rank of associate professor (not research track) or higher, and if there is a commitment from the faculty member in whose laboratory the instructor/fellow/postdoctoral researcher works that all necessary laboratory resources will be available for the proposed project (see below for relevant instructions). Collaboration between VMI member and non-VMI member investigators is encouraged.

For any given research group, only one award may be active at a given time. That is, if there are several research faculty members working under the umbrella and mentorship of a given faculty member, only one award may be active for the entire group, independent of whether the principal investigator on the P3HVB award is the senior investigator or any of the research faculty members.

Projects that focus on translational integrative vascular biology with an emphasis on the role of red cells, platelets, and hemostatic factors will be prioritized. Collaborative efforts, bringing new researchers into the critical research areas described previously will be given additional priority and should be highlighted as part of the proposal. Translational research will be of the highest priority. Thus, it will be incumbent on an applicant to convince reviewers that the results of a laboratory-based program have the potential to be translated into clinical utility. Applications from early-career investigators and those with a particularly strong need for funding will be prioritized.

Budget

Note, due to the project year end of HCWP funding in May 2025, no cost extensions will not be available for the projects.

Application Elements

Applications must include:

  • Cover Page – name of faculty PIs, academic degrees, departments, contact information, budget period (not to exceed one year and to start four weeks after submission date at earliest), requested budget (not to exceed $50K)
  • Proposal – Maximum of 1.5 pages (+ 1-page bibliography) narrative addressing research rationale, aims/hypotheses, basic approach, expected results and plan for extramural funding
  • Budget – one-page budget describing distribution of funds. Note:
    • Money can be used to support staff and postdocs, but not faculty salaries
    • Money cannot be used to buy major equipment
    • Money can support only direct costs (no indirect costs)
  • If the principal investigator is an instructor, fellow, or postdoctoral researcher, a letter of support from the research mentor that documents the relevant mentoring plan must be included. If the research mentor is someone other than the faculty member in whose laboratory the applicant has a primary appointment, there must also be a letter from the faculty member with primary responsibility for the applicant that documents that all necessary resources for conducting the project are available to the applicant.  Demonstration of an appropriate mentoring plan and of the availability of necessary resources will be some of the criteria used in evaluating the application.

Review Criteria

The primary review criteria are:

  • That the project is novel and innovative
  • The inclusion of new investigators to the areas of interest, particularly red cells, platelets and hemostatic factors
  • The degree to which the project explores the role of red cells, platelets and hemostatic factors
  • The potential to lead to more comprehensive studies
  • The degree to which the project is translational
  • The scientific feasibility and scientific merit of the project
  • That the letter(s) of support for instructors, fellows, or postdoctoral researchers demonstrate(s) adequate commitment to the applicant and to the project.
Applications will undergo peer review by non-conflicted investigators from the University of Pittsburgh or UPMC. Recommendations made as a result of the peer review process will be forwarded to the internal advisory board of the VMI for final selection of grants to be awarded. Successful applicants will be expected to present their findings, both in written form and through presentation, to the VMI.

Applications are to be submitted electronically, as a single PDF file, to Kim Finch, Administrative Director for VMI at finchka@upmc.edu by 5:00 pm on the receipt date identified above. No exceptions will be made to the receipt date. Within one week of the receipt date, each applicant should receive an e-mail message from Kim notifying him/her that his/her application has been received. If an applicant does not receive such notification, he/she should contact Kim.

Questions about the program should be directed to Sruti Shiva, PhD, Associate Director VMI, sss43@pitt.edu.