Alcohol Pilot Funding Opportunity

The UNC Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies will accept applications for pilot alcohol research projects in 2009.  Research funds ($27,000/yr, 2 year maximum) will be awarded to new investigators who have no major research support or to established investigators whose proposals represent a significant departure from their ongoing research. We seek to involve new people and new ideas in the Center’s research portfolio ad to promote alcohol research across the UNC campus.

Potential investigators must be US citizens or permanent residents. Eligibility criteria include:  1) new investigators without current or past NIH research project support, 2) established, supported alcoholism investigators who are proposing projects that constitute a significant departure from their ongoing research, 3) established non-alcoholism investigators who are proposing projects in which they will transfer their special expertise to the research focus of the Alcohol Center.

Projects must deal with some aspect of cellular and molecular pathogenesis of alcoholism.   The Center is particularly focused on signaling pathways that may underlie pathogenesis in fetus and brain.  Molecular and cellular mechanisms of addictive behavior are also appropriate. Preference is given to projects that focus on these target areas.  Preference is also given to new investigators, as well as applications that take advantage of the Center’s molecular or imaging core facilities.  Criteria for scoring include (1) the quality of the proposed science; (2) whether the research is in concert with Center goals; (3) whether the applicant meets all eligibility requirements.  

To apply, applicants should submit an abstract, budget, biographical sketch of key personnel, justification, other support, and a four page scientific description. 

A letter of intent is due on February 27.  Applications are due on April 30. 

Questions and application submissions should be emailed to Dr. Fulton Crews

 at fulton_crews@med.unc.edu.