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Research Symposium Sparks Collaboration, Innovation at A.T. Still University
The 2024 Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium was held Saturday, Nov. 16, at A.T. Still University in Kirksville.
The event featured oral and poster presentations of research studies by ATSU students, faculty and staff as well as other biomedical researchers and students from other schools.
The presentations were meant to showcase current research from students pushing the limits of modern medicine while allowing peers to ask questions.
"[The] conference is an opportunity for people who are in training and are learning how to do science to be able to present their work that they’ve been doing and as a way of getting feedback about the work they do to build relationships with other people that may spur on further research," said Brian Degenhardt, assistant vice president for Osteopathic research.
The symposium wasn't just medical students showcasing research for a grade.
Dr. Degenhardt made it clear students were displaying cutting edge research that could help advance science and medical research.
"A couple of the things that have been presented at the symposium have led to patents by researchers here at A.T. University," Degenhardt said. "Some of them have been involved in looking at the treatment of Melanoma. Others are creating equipment that helps give the feedback that I had talked about regarding how to use your hands to examine a patient"
While sharing knowledge, the symposium raises awareness of the significance of science and how the medical field can be beneficial to everyone, even if individuals not dealing with medical issues personally.
"I think it’s really important because we all need healthcare, we're all going to be a patient at some point," said Marie Jackson, director of the AT Still Research Institute. "It could be today. It could be 100 years from now. So, by having everybody come together and really share the knowledge about what’s happening, hopefully [they] will catch the medical bug and really want to come to A.T.S.U. and really learn more."
The Pre-award Team in the Office of Sponsored Programs has created a short survey to gather valuable feedback from faculty about their grants-related needs. The survey is now open and will be available until Friday, December 20, 2024. You can access it via this link or by scanning the QR code below:
This brief survey will take about 3-5 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous, and no private information will be collected. Your feedback will help us better serve you. If you encounter issues, please contact preaward@atsu.edu.
American Osteopathic Association (AOA) 2025 Research Grants - Deadline January 31, 2025
Funding is available for DOs, MDs, PhDs, and osteopathic medical students conducting studies that address the tenets of osteopathic medicine and explore the profession’s patient-centered, empathic approach to care.
Key Grant Updates:
The AOA is committed to supporting research that has the potential to significantly impact patient outcomes, advance evidence-based medicine, foster collaboration within and outside the osteopathic community, and enhance the visibility of the osteopathic profession.
Research Focus Areas/Notice of Funding Opportunity (RFA/NOFO)
For more detailed information on the grants available, visit the AOA website.
Application Submission Timeline
Submissions open: Oct. 1, 2024
Deadline for applications: Jan. 31, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. CT
Awards announced: June 2025
Project start date: July 1, 2025
Please visit the AOA website or contact Gloria Dillard in the AOA Department of Research at gdillard@osteopathic.org or (312) 202-8006 for more information and application details.
Research Grants Workshop
Please take a look at the informational workshop, which contains important information about the 2025 research grants cycle. Applicants may also view a PDF version of the presentation.
New Funding Available for Pain Management Through the NIH HEAL Initiative
Are you interested in taking advantage of funding opportunities from the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, to conduct research that may improve pain treatment options?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is delighted to collaborate with the NIH HEAL Initiative to highlight the following open funding opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to speed the development and implementation of scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis.
NIH encourages interested investigators to review the full NOFO published in the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts and consider reaching out to the scientific program contact listed in the specific request for applications. For more information, visit the NIH HEAL Initiative Website.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Sumi Miriyala Invited to Serve on NIH Review Panel
We are excited to share that Dr. Sumi Miriyala has been invited by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to serve as a reviewer for R15 AREA/REAP applications in cardio/pulmonary disciplines. The panel, organized by Dr. Kirk Dineley, NIH Scientific Review Officer, will review small-scale research proposals that aim to strengthen research environments at student-focused institutions while engaging both undergraduate and graduate students.
Dr. Miriyala's extensive background in NIH applications, alongside her expertise in cardiovascular research, makes her an ideal candidate for this role. She reviewed 3-4 applications ahead of a virtual panel meeting in November 2024. The panel evaluated 11 applications covering a wide range of cardiac, circulatory, and respiratory topics, providing valuable feedback and insight into ongoing efforts to support quality research and education at smaller institutions.
We congratulate Dr. Miriyala for this honor and wish her success in this important contribution to advancing scientific research and education!
After the review panel had been completed, Dr. Miriyala shared her experience with Sponsored Programs (SP):
SP: What was the process like, and what did you learn from it?
Dr. Miriyala: Serving on an NIH review panel was an intense but rewarding experience. The process involved reviewing a set of applications over a 3-week period, during which each application was thoroughly evaluated by 3 reviewers. After scoring the applications, those requiring further discussion, the reviews are available for the panel at large to consider for several days before the meeting (for all reviewers except those in conflict with an application). Ideally that period is about a week, if the schedule holds and everyone turns them in on time, allowing reviewers to read and consider the comments from their peers. This collaborative approach enhanced my understanding of how reviewers identify strengths and weaknesses in applications, as well as the nuances of scoring criteria. It was an invaluable learning experience that provided deep insight into what makes a proposal stand out.
SP: How can other faculty members prepare themselves to become NIH reviewers, and what steps can they take to earn an opportunity like this?
Dr. Miriyala: Faculty members can prepare by consistently submitting their own high-quality NIH proposals and publishing impactful research in their fields. Participating as a co-investigator on funded grants also helps establish credibility. Networking with colleagues who have served as reviewers and expressing interest in serving on panels is another effective strategy. It’s also helpful to contact the NIH program officers directly to express willingness to serve. Reviewing manuscripts for journals and participating in local grant review committees can build foundational skills and demonstrate readiness for the role.
SP: How will your experience as a reviewer inform your future NIH submissions?
Dr. Miriyala: Serving as a reviewer has given me a clearer perspective on what reviewers prioritize, such as strong, innovative aims, clear and feasible research plans, and well-supported significance. I’ve also gained an appreciation for the importance of succinct, well-organized writing and anticipating potential reviewer concerns. Moving forward, I’ll be more attuned to aligning my proposals with NIH scoring criteria and ensuring that every aspect of the application is thoroughly thought out, from the budget justification to the biosketch. This experience will undoubtedly make me a stronger grant writer and applicant.
Reminder that Multiple Changes Affecting Extramural Applications and Review are Coming for Application Due Dates on or After January 25, 2025
Required for due dates on or after January 25, 2025
Required for due dates on or after May 25, 2025
Although each of these initiatives has specific goals, they are all meant to simplify, clarify, and/or promote greater fairness towards a level playing field for applicants throughout the application and review processes.
Resources
Be FORMS-I Ready in January 2025!
Are you a researcher planning to submit a grant application to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in late January 2025 or later? If so, upcoming changes are coming to certain application forms and their instructions. The revised package for applications submitted on or after January 25, 2025, is called FORMS-I.
FORMS-I includes substantive changes (such as new/deleted/modified fields). In the big picture, it’s part of supporting wider changes coming in 2025 at NIH that will impact application submission and review.
So, what changes can we expect in the FORMS-I? Here’s a preview with examples:
You can find out more in the NIH document High-Level Grant Application Form Change Summary: FORMS-I and an NIH Extramural Nexus story previewing some of the changes. Please note two important milestones:
It is crucial to use the correct forms package for your particular application. If you use an incorrect package, your application will be withdrawn and removed from funding consideration. Use FORMS-I for due dates on or after January 25, 2025, and FORMS-H for due dates on or before January 24, 2025. View the new forms and application instructions here.
Explore the Redesigned NIH Grants and Funding Website to Simplify Finding Information on Your Journey with NIH
The new NIH Grants and Funding website launched in late September. Designed with the needs of the extramural research community in mind, the new site is intended to enhance your journey through the NIH grants process with a modernized interface and powerful features to make finding critical information easier than ever. NIH encourages you to explore the site at your leisure and to familiarize yourself with the new content and layout.
A key change involves a redesign of the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts and related funding information. The new tools reduce reliance on activity codes and other NIH jargon to help you explore opportunities for funding in a more intuitive way.
The new site also includes improved grants process information. A visual process flow walks you through preparing to apply through post-award monitoring and reporting. Take a look at the redesigned How to Apply – Application Guide, which incorporates the new process flow.
Please note that many URLs have changed with this redesign. Although redirects are in place to minimize impact, NIH encourages you update any references you may have to the site. While URLs for individual funding opportunities and notices have not changed, the links for the ‘Save Results’ feature of the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts have changed, so NIH encourages you to update your saved searches.
NIH publishes funding opportunities and notices in the NIH Guide daily. Each Friday, a cumulative listing is published for the week.
Join the NIH Guide LISTSERV for direct access to weekly content updates.