MMPC MICROMouse Program

Funds New Collaborative Projects for up to $75,000 per year

The MMPC has set aside $450,000 annually for small short-term grants to fund collaborative biomedical research projects between an MMPC and external investigators, or among MMPCs. The MMPCs provide tests on a fee for service basis to characterize many of the mouse models of metabolic diseases that are generated across the country, and therefore are in a unique position to identify opportunities for new or expanded studies as they arise. The focus will be on projects that arise from MMPC activities, that combine the interests of two or more investigators, and that fall outside those research activities currently funded by an MMPC or an investigator’s established research program. These funds cannot be used to replace or reduce the fees charged for requested routine services of an MMPC. This program is meant to complement the annual MMPC Pilot and Feasibility Program, (P&F) which funds the development or miniaturization of phenotyping tests for use in mice.


For instructions on how to submit a MICROMouse Funding Program Application to the MMPC web portal please click the following link: MMPC Funding Program Application Submission Basic Training (PDF)

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Research Objectives
Research objectives for MICROMouse projects should reflect the MMPC mission to provide high quality metabolic studies of mouse models relevant to diabetes and obesity. MICROMouse will fund high impact technology-, physiology-, or biology-based projects conceived through interaction with, or between MMPCs. Proposal objectives should take clear advantage of collaborations with MMPCs to address questions that would be otherwise difficult to answer. While the objectives of the MICROMmouse initiatives may complement the P&F program, MICROMouse proposals should be research-driven rather than focused on test development. MICROMouse proposals that result from user and MMPC interaction are strongly encouraged, but applications should explicitly address how the proposal is distinct from the current grant support of principal investigators. Examples of suitable proposals include but are not limited to
  1. the pursuit of novel questions formed during routine phenotyping of animals in collaboration with the submitting investigator;
  2. thorough phenotyping of new models that may be important for the study of a variety of diseases, but are outside the scope of the submitting investigator’s funding;
  3. to bring together investigators with complimentary mouse models that would not normally interact;
  4. collaboration between Centers to validate methodology important for mouse studies, but that do not meet the qualifications of the P&F;
  5. investigation of new molecular targets uncovered by prior MMPC studies. Objectives should be reasonably met within the one year funding period and lead naturally to publication and potential NIH funding.

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Budget
Applicants may request up to $75,000 total costs (direct + indirect costs) for one year of funding. A narrative justification should be provided only for any major equipment (cost greater than $5,000) deemed to be necessary for the proposed project. The number of awards will depend upon the number, quality, duration, and cost of the applications received. A second year of funding may be available through a competitive renewal process. Competitive renewal is encouraged if new and important objectives that meet the MICROMouse criteria are formed during the first funding cycle.

Awards will be made as subcontracts from the AMDCC/MMPC Coordinating and Bioinformatics Unit (CBU) at the Medical College of Georgia and not directly by the NIH.

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Review
Each submitted proposal will be assigned to three reviewers who are either members of the MMPC External Advisors or external scientists with expertise in the area of a proposal. The final funding decisions will be made by the MMPC Steering Committee. Proposals may be submitted only once for funding consideration unless a revised application is solicited by the MMPC Steering Committee. Applications for competitive renewal (1 additional year) are encouraged in cases where exemplary progress has been made and further investigation is warranted.

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Application and Eligibility
The aim of the MICROMouse program is to encourage collaborative relationships between the MMPC and its users. These awards are intended to fund the development of research opportunities that may arise during the course of a service provided by the MMPC or to expand on research interests common to a MMPC user and a MMPC principal investigator. These awards cannot be used simply to purchase services from an MMPC or for projects that are eligible for the Pilot and Feasibility program.

There is no formal deadline associated with MICROMouse applications, but applications will be reviewed quarterly (March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1) and so should be submitted accordingly. A letter of intent with a brief (2-3 sentences) description of the proposed project must be sent to Dr. Richard McIndoe at rmcindoe@mail.mcg.edu at least two weeks prior to submission of an application.

The brief application should be on the PHS 398 form, and must be composed of a research plan that includes the following sections: A. Abstract and Specific Aims, B. Background and Significance, C. Preliminary Studies, D. Research Design and Methods, E. Explicit description of the collaboration and contributions of the collaborating investigators. F. Signed letters from any collaborating principal investigators that have not signed the application face page. G. Literature Cited. H. Detailed Budget. I. Vertebrate Animals (Sections A->E are limited to 5 pages). Applications should be signed by at least one principal investigator and an official representing the submitting institution.

NOTE: Applicants should submit one (1) paper copy to the MMPC CBU at the address listed below, plus submit an electronic version of the application via the MMPC website (PDF format only please).

Eligible Organizations: Public or private institutions in the United States, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; units of state and local governments; eligible agencies of the Federal government; faith-based or community-based organizations; Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized); and Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization.

Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators: In the collaborative spirit of the MICROMouse awards, each application must include at least two project directors/principal investigators, one of whom must be an MMPC investigator. The application may originate from either the MMPC or the collaborating institution. Young investigators and post-doctoral fellows are encouraged to apply. Applications from post-doctoral fellows must include two letters of recommendation. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

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Progress Report
A progress report is due two months following the completion of the funding period. If competitive renewal is sought, the letter of intent and application should be received for the review cycle prior to end of the projects current funding period. Application for competitive renewal is not in lieu of a year end progress report.

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Contact Information
Questions, letters of intent and applications should be sent to the AMDCC/MMPC Coordinating and Bioinformatics Unit (CBU) (Dr. Richard McIndoe, Director).

Richard McIndoe, Ph.D. (Coordinator)
Coordinating and Bioinformatics Unit
Medical College of Georgia
Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine
1120 15th Street, CA4124
Augusta, GA 30912-4810
Phone: 706-721-3542
Fax: 706-721-3688

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Recipient Abstracts

Please click on the links below to view the MMPC MICROMouse Program Recipient Application



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