W.M. Keck Foundation's Medical Research Program: Call for Proposals

The deadline for submissions to W.M. Keck Foundation’s Medical Research program is May 1, 2007. Draft proposals should be submitted to the UW Proposal Review Committee by February 26, 2007. The Committee will select three draft proposals for review by the Keck Foundation, and based on subsequent discussions with Keck Foundation staff, one proposal will be selected to be submitted as a Phase I Letter by the May 1, 2007 deadline. A Phase I Letter is essentially a preproposal.

Program Description:

The W.M. Keck Foundation established its research grants programs to support university research at the forefront of numerous fields and across disciplinary lines. Supporting pioneering discoveries in medicine, science, and engineering has been Keck’s mandate from the beginning. By funding the work of leading researchers and the purchase of sophisticated instruments, they are laying the groundwork for discoveries and new technologies that will save lives, provide innovative solutions, and add to our understanding of the world. These grants facilitate exploration of new technologies as well as the use of technology to address new questions. Past grants have supported specific research programs, interdisciplinary projects, prototype experiments, and the development of vital scientific instruments.

Programmatic criteria:

• Significant programs and projects that focus on emerging areas of research at the forefront of medical research and/or have the potential to lead to breakthrough technologies in these areas;
• Programs that respond to a compelling need and have potential to create a significant and long-lasting impact;
• Programs and projects that demonstrate that the chances of success would be seriously impaired but for the assistance of private philanthropy generally, and the W.M. Keck Foundation in particular;
• Programs and projects that encourage self-sufficiency rather than continuing dependence on W.M. Keck Foundation support;
• Clinical research or treatment trials are NOT eligible.

In 2006 the W.M. Keck Foundation made Medical Research awards to:

• Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory--to map the architecture of the human and rodent brain and gain an insight into neural dynamics underlying motivated behavior. (amt. unknown);
• Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis--to understand the mechanisms of regeneration and restoration in amphibians and apply these mechanisms in potential therapies for spinal cord injury patients. ($1.6 million);
• University of California Berkeley--to establish a laboratory to research structures and functions of the fundamental molecular machines that mediate information flow in cells and viruses. ($2 million);
• Yale University--to map basic cellular networks in the brain and the immune system (amt. unknown).

UW Process:

If you have a project you wish to be considered for submission to the W.M. Keck Foundation, please submit a three-page narrative plus budget to the Proposal Review Committee by February 26, 2006. The narrative should follow the format described below.

Re-state bolded key words and respond to each item within the page limitations. Use at least 12 point type, single-spaced, with 1” margins.

Project Summary [1 page, in the order listed]:

• Abstract [150 words]: Provide an executive summary of the project, including overall goal, methodology and significance, for a lay audience;
• Unique Aspects: Describe unique or distinctive aspects of this project;
• Key Personnel: Name the key personnel, and describe their credentials, role in the proposed project, and any collaborations/partnerships;
• Budget: Describe how funds requested from WMKF will be allocated among capital, personnel and equipment;
• Justification for WMKF support: Explain why support from the W. M. Keck Foundation is essential for this project.

Project Description [2 pages, in the order listed]

• Overview: Provide an overview of this field and the need for this project;
• Relevant Efforts: Describe past and current efforts at your institution that are relevant to this project;
• Peer Groups: Name at least two other groups that are pursuing comparable or related work and explain how this project differs from their work;
• Goals and Methodology: State the major goals of the project and summarize the methodologies and time frame to be used in achieving them;
• Institutional Resources: Describe institutional resources and/or strengths that will be used to achieve the goals;
• Impact: Describe the potential impacts of achieving these goals;
• Fundraising: Explain what other sources of funding have been sought, what amounts have been committed (including institutional funding), and the plan for raising the remainder.

See this site for the budget format.

If you have any questions please contact Martha Dietz at 206-616-9684 or via email.