The Preterm Birth Initiative was created to increase the understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying parturition and spontaneous preterm birth. The initiative is designed to stimulate both creative individual scientists and multi-investigator teams to approach the problem of preterm birth using creative basic and translation science methods. Postdoctoral fellows nearing their transition to independent investigator status through senior established investigators are encouraged to apply.
Opportunity
Molecular and computational approaches such genetics/genomics, immunology, microbiology, evolutionary biology, mathematics, engineering, and other basic sciences hold enormous potential for new insights independently or in conjunction with more traditional areas of parturition research such as maternal fetal medicine, obstetrics, and pediatrics. The formation of new connections between reproductive scientists and investigators who are involved in other areas will give preterm birth research a fresh and unique look, and stimulate a new workface to tackle this challenge.
Despite medical and technological advances, the rate of preterm births in the United States remains higher today than 20 years ago. Approximately 10 percent of births in the U.S. are considered preterm, which is defined as birth occurring prior to 37 weeks of gestation. Many health and social problems can be attributed to preterm delivery including cerebral palsy, respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, seizures, learning difficulty, hearing loss, behavioral problems, and others. Preterm birth is currently the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in children. However, for a medical problem that has such grave health and social consequences little is known about its causes. Up to five (5) research grants will be awarded in this award cycle.
Eligibility
- Proposals must be submitted from degree-granting institutions in the United States or Canada
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The principal investigator must be a postdoctoral fellow in the final 1-2 years of postdoctoral training or hold a faculty appointment (assistant/associate/professor-level status) at a degree-granting institution in the U.S. or Canada.
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Proposals should address the biomedical causes and molecular mechanisms underlying (preterm) parturition including but not limited to peri-implantational events, placentation, fetal determinants, fetal-maternal immune responses, biological basis for racial-ethnic disparities, mechanisms relating preterm birth to other adverse pregnancy outcomes, biology of normal labor, genomics, evolutionary influences and other approaches. Proposals seeking to identify biomarkers predicting preterm birth are welcome.
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Proposals can be submitted by individual investigators or research teams designating a contact principal investigator. At least one member of the team must have training and expertise outside the traditional areas of reproductive science.
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Current or active preterm birth grant recipients are not eligible to reapply
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Former preterm birth recipients whose grant has been completed may reapply for another award provided the proposal submitted is a substantially different proposal (must not be a continuation or slight modification of previous work). The principal investigator must demonstrate successful outcomes and highlight significant achievements from the earlier award
Funding Available
- Maximum amount: $650,000 ($150,000/year)
- Project duration: 4 years
Helpful Links
- Full details regarding the Preterm Birth Initiative
Deadlines
| Full Application: | ||
| CURO Internal Deadline for Review | Please contact your Research Facilitator. | |
| cuResearch Checklist Deadline | November 24, 2016 | |
| Full application submission to sponsor | December 1, 2016 | 4 p.m. EST |
Submitting Your Application
- Applications must be submitted via cuResearch, through which Departmental and Associate Dean’s approval must be provided to complete the online application process.
- More information on cuResearch can be found here.
Internal Contacts
If you would like assistance with proposal development and/or a substantive review of your proposal, please contact the appropriate Research Facilitator.