Name of Principal Investigator:

Amount applied for:

NMRC May 2012 Research Grants Application Form Checklist

1. PIs are advised to familiarize themselves with the following documents before applying:

( )NMRC Research Grants T&Cs & Finance T&Cs (available from )

( )Budgeting Requirements –Please refer to the annex of the NMRC Policy Document on Financial Regulations

2. Your Application Form (Format from NMRC website) should consist of the following:

( )Category of Research Proposal

( )Title of Research

( )Host Institution

( )Total Amount Requested

( )Period of Support

( )Key Words

( )Field of Research – Please refer to Appendix 1 of this guide

( )Ethical Considerations

( )Abstract

( )Details of Research Proposal - limit to 12 pages excluding references for CS-IRGand 5 pages excluding references for NIG (sub-category of CS-IRG)

( )% effort reporting & Biographical Sketch of PI & all investigators

( )Biographical Sketches of PI, Co-Is and Collaborators (Mentor CV is only required for NIG application)

( )Budget breakdown & Justifications (Manpower, Equipment, OOE)

( )Milestones

( )Expected outcomes

( )Other support – Attach scientific abstracts of all grants listed in section 17, KPIs of currently held NMRC grants and document detailing areas of overlap where applicable (Annex A)

( )Additional documents:

Re-submission applications -

i)New features / merits (Annex B)

ii)Past reviewers’ reports

iii)PI Rebuttal(Annex C)

iv)Panel comments (where applicable)

v)Response to panel’s comments (where applicable)

Renewal applications – Progress/ Final Report (Annex D)

NATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Application for CS-IRG/CBRG/NIG

All information is treated in confidence. The information is furnished to the National Medical Research Council with the understanding that it shall be used or disclosed for evaluation, reference and reporting purposes. If your application is not successful, this form will be destroyedafter the retention period deemed as appropriate by the Council.

1Category of research proposal

CS-IRG CBRG

Please indicate if you are submitting for the New Investigator Grant

New Investigator Grant (NIG)

Please indicate the relevant information if your proposal is a renewal or resubmission

Renewal (Grant number NMRC//)

Resubmission (Application ID & No. of resubmissions inclusive of current application)

2Title of research(Limit to 300 characters)

3Host Institution

4Applicants(Please note that Co-Investigators need to hold at least an adjunct position in a local public institution. Researchers from overseas institutions or private companies can only participate as collaborators)

Applicant / Role / Position / Department / Institution
Principal Investigator[1]
E.g. / Co-Investigator[2]
E.g. / Collaborator[3]
Collaborator

(Please add more rows if required)

5Total amount of funds applied forSGD

(up to $1,500,000 for the CS-IRG and CBRG; exclusive of indirect cost)

(up to $200,000 for the NIG category; exclusive of indirect cost)

6Period of Support requested years

(up to 3 years for the CS-IRG and CBRG; up to 2 years for the NIG category)

7Key words (Mandatory. Please provide maximum 6 key words)

8Field of research

Please fill in the Health Research Classification (HRC) System below with reference to the list attached as Appendix 1 in the IRG Guide. The HRC System is adapted from MRC, UK.

(A) Health Category

You may select up to 5 categories from the followings. Please use the minimum number of codes to reflect the main focus of the research.

Blood / Musculoskeletal
Cancer / Neurological
Cardiovascular / Oral and Gastrointestinal
Congenital Disorders / Renal and Urogenital
Ear / Reproductive Health and Childbirth
Eye / Respiratory
Infection / Skin
Inflammatory and Immune System / Stroke
Injuries and Accidents / Generic Health Relevance
Mental Health / Other
Metabolic and Endocrine

(B) Research Activity Code

You may select up to 2 sub-codes from the followings, eg, 2.1.

1 Underpinning Research

1.1 Normal biological development and functioning

1.2 Psychological and socioeconomic processes

1.3 Chemical and physical sciences

1.4 Methodologies and measurements

1.5 Resources and infrastructure (underpinning)

2 Aetiology

2.1 Biological and endogenous factors

2.2 Factors relating to physical environment

2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors

2.4 Surveillance and distribution

2.5 Research design and methodologies (aetiology)

2.6 Resources and infrastructure (aetiology)

3 Prevention of Disease and Conditions, and Promotion of Well-Being

3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote well-being

3.2 Interventions to alter physical and biological environmental risks

3.3 Nutrition and chemoprevention

3.4 Vaccines

3.5 Resources and infrastructure (prevention)

4 Detection, Screening and Diagnosis

4.1 Discovery and preclinical testing of markers and technologies

4.2 Evaluation of markers and technologies

4.3 Influences and impact

4.4 Population screening

4.5 Resources and infrastructure (detection)

5 Development of Treatments and Therapeutic Interventions

5.1 Pharmaceuticals

5.2 Cellular and gene therapies

5.3 Medical devices

5.4 Surgery

5.5 Radiotherapy

5.6 Psychological and behavioural

5.7 Physical

5.8 Complementary

5.9 Resources and infrastructure (development of treatments)

6 Evaluation of Treatments and Therapeutic Interventions

6.1 Pharmaceuticals

6.2 Cellular and gene therapies

6.3 Medical devices

6.4 Surgery

6.5 Radiotherapy

6.6 Psychological and behavioural

6.7 Physical

6.8 Complementary

6.9 Resources and infrastructure (evaluation of treatments)

7 Management of Diseases and Conditions

7.1 Individual care needs

7.2 End of life care

7.3 Management and decision making

7.4 Resources and infrastructure (disease management)

8 Health and Social Care Services Research

8.1 Organisation and delivery of services

8.2 Health and welfare economics

8.3 Policy, ethics and research governance

8.4 Research design and methodologies

8.5 Resources and infrastructure (health services)

9Ethical considerations and containment

Fund disbursement is subjected to ethics approval if the project involves any of the below.

Please declare the participating institutions where study requiring ethics approval is

Please tick accordingly if project involves any of the following:conducted:

a)Human Subject Yes No

b)Use of Human/Animal Tissues or Cells Yes No

from Primary Donors

(i.e. subject/volunteers recruited for project)

c)Use of Commercially Available Yes No

Human/Animal Tissues or Cells

d)Animal Experimentation Yes No

e)Requirement for Containment Yes No

f)Multi-centre trial(s) Yes No

(If yes, please state all participating institutions/centres:

)

A copy of the ethics approval is attached:

YesNo

10Abstract

In no more than 300 words, concisely describe the specific aims, hypotheses, methodology and approach of the research proposal including its importance to the furtherance of medical science, in particular clinical significance. The abstract must be self-contained so that it can serve as a succinct and accurate description of the research proposal.Note that the scientific abstract may be disclosed to other funding agencies.

11Research proposal

In no more than 12 pages (page limit excludes the reference section), include the following sections in the research proposal. Please use Arial font size 10 for all text.

  • Specific Aims & Hypothesis
  • Background & Clinical Significance
  • Preliminary Studies/Progress report
  • Methods/Approach
  • How the research furthers the vision/mission of NMRC
  • Roles of Team Members
  • References

For the New Investigator Grant (NIG) category, please include the above sections in no more than 5 pages (page limit excludes the reference section).

For Resubmission and Renewal (follow up study from NMRC projects) applications, append the following documents to the end of this application as Annexes:

Resubmission – A document itemizing how the revised proposal (i.e. re-submission application) has addressed past reviewers’/panel’s comments and highlight new features or merits of the revised proposal. (Annex B)

Reviewers’ report of previous unsuccessful application; Rebuttal to the external reviewers; Panel’s comments (where applicable); and Response to the panel (where applicable) (in the above order as Annex C)

Renewal –Submit a progress/final report of the existing project to indicate the progress and outputs of the project in the prescribed NMRC reporting format (i.e. progress/ final report). (Annex D)

Please note that additional information/data may be attached as Annex E. However, they may or may not be assessed by the reviewers/panel.

======

Specific Aims & Hypothesis

State concisely and realistically what the study intends to accomplish and what hypothesis is to be tested.

Background & Clinical Significance

Briefly sketch the background of the research proposed, critically evaluate existing knowledge and specifically identify the gaps which the project intendsto fill. State concisely the importance of the research described by relating the specific aims to both short term (3-5 years) and possible long term clinical implications.

Describe how your research will contribute to:

(i)solving the health problem;

(ii)develop new knowledge relevant to improving health;

(iii)develop scientific and clinical applications;and

(iv)developing knowledge in biomedical sciences and providing tangible improvements in healthcare

Preliminary Studies/Progress

For NEW APPLICATIONS, provide an account of the Principal Investigator’s preliminary studies (if any) pertinent to the applications and/or any other information that will help to establish the experience and competence of the investigator pursuing the proposed project.

For RENEWAL APPLICATIONS, give the beginning and end dates of the period covered since theresearch project was last reviewed. Provide a succinct account of published and unpublished results,indicating the importance of the findings. Discuss any changes in the project’s specific aims during the periods covered. List the titles and complete references to all publications and completed manuscripts that have resulted from the project.

Methods/Approach

Describe the following in detail (refer to statistical checklistfound in Appendix 2 of the Guide for IRG Application for study design):

(i)experimental design and the procedure,

(ii)any new methodology and its advantage over existing methodologies,

(iii)the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures and alternative approaches to achieve the aims,

(iv)any procedures, situations or materials that may be hazardous to personnel and the precautions to be exercised,

(v)Statistical justification and the means by which data will be analyzed and interpreted.

How the research furthers the vision/missions of NMRC

Define and describe specifically on indicators that will be achieved by the research and how they canfurther the vision/missions of NMRC.NMRC’s vision is to translate research for better health. NMRC’s missions are to promote excellence in translational and clinical research; nurture a vibrant research community of clinicians and enhance knowledge translation for better health and economic outcomes.

The impact of NMRC funded research should be assessed by better health outcomes*, medical practice and cost-effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

*includes survival, morbidity, quality of life

Roles of Team Members

Elaboratethe roles of Co-Investigators and Collaborators involved in the project.Specify the research background, technical competencies, role and contribution to specific deliverables and achievements that are relevant and necessary to ensure success for the proposed research.

References

Please list thereferences in the ordercited in this proposal, including the titles.

12Work Contribution of PI & Team Members

Please provide the expected percentage effort within the project, as well as within his/her other work commitments for each Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator(s) and Collaborator(s).

Note that Co-Investigators need to hold at least an adjunct position in a local public institution. Researchers from overseas institutions or private companies can only participate as collaborators. The terms of collaboration with overseas research institutions and private companies must conform to NMRC’s existing policies.

Name
/
Role in project (e.g. PI, Co-Investigator, Collaborator)
/
Institution
/
% effort within project[4]
Total
/
100%

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Amount applied for:

13 Biographical Sketch

*For the New Investigator Grant (NIG) category, the Mentor CV and support letter can be found in NMRC website and please attach as a separate document.

a)Principal Investigator

Please use the format below to provide the required information on Principal Investigator. NMRC places emphasis on the bold areas. Please indicate NA if the required information is not applicable and take note that NMRC will not be responsible for any missing information not provided in the CV.Please limit to 2 pages.

  • Name
  • Title
  • NRIC/Passport No.
  • Office Mailing Address
  • Email
  • Contact No
  • Current Position (Please provide full details, e.g. joint appointments; other academic appointments including those outside of Singapore;percentageof time spent in Singapore every year, if applicable)
  • Employment History
  • Academic qualifications (Indicate institution’s name and year degree awarded)
  • Research interests
  • Publications in the last 5 years (include only publications of direct relevance to study, stating impact factors where possible)
  • Patents held (related or unrelated to the study)
  • Scientific Awards
  • Half page summary of research outcomes from all previous grants [e.g. publications (full papers only for the past 5 years and highlight papers that are relevant to the study), patents, awards, etc].

b)Co-Investigator and Collaborators

In not more than 1 page per applicant, please use the format below to provide the required information on the Co-Investigators and Collaborators .Note that Co-Investigators need to hold at least an adjunct position in a local public institution. Researchers from overseas institutions or private companies can only participate as Collaborators. Please indicate NA if the required information is not applicable and take note that NMRC will not be responsible for any missing information not provided in the CV.

  • Name
  • Title
  • NRIC/Passport No.
  • Office Mailing Address
  • Email
  • Contact No
  • Current Position (Please provide full details, e.g. joint appointments)
  • Academic qualifications (Indicate institution’s name and year degree awarded)
  • Research interests
  • Publications of direct relevance to the study
  • Relevant patents held related to the study
  • Scientific Awards
  • Current and previous support from NMRC or other sources

(Please also include proposals pending approval)

14Budget

You are advised to prepare the budget carefully under each category and provide the justifications for all categories in Item 14.4.

Please refer to the annex in the NMRC Policy Document on Financial Regulations for this section. The provision of indirect research cost (IRC) will be computed at the budget revision phase when the project is approved.

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Amount applied for:

14.1 Manpower

Please budget for all the manpower required for the project including part-time personnel and those to be shared with other projects. State whether they are existing personnel in your institution or new staff to be recruited. Please use salary scales provided by the Bursar’s Office or Hospital Administration as a reference. The cost should include annual increments, National Service increment, staff welfare, medical and other related benefits as per the Human Resource policies of your institution.

Staff Category / Existing/New / No / Remarks / Total cost
Technologist / NewExisting
Research Assistant / NewExisting
Research Officer / NewExisting
Research Associate / NewExisting
Research Nurse / NewExisting
Postdoctoral Fellow / NewExisting
Visiting Consultant / NewExisting
Others:
(please specify) / NewExisting
Total
/ $0.00

14.2 Equipment

Please budget for all scientific equipment you need to purchase to carry out the project. Indicate sharing of equipment with other projects, if any.

For equipment costing more than $100,000 each, please indicate the estimated utilization of the equipment (e.g. 70% usage throughout the project period; only 85% usage in the 2nd year for analysis purpose, etc)

Qty

/

Equipment

/

Estimated Utilisation Rate for Equipment more than $100,000 (to be justified)

/

Unit Cost

/

Sub- Total

Total

/ $0.00

14.3Other Operating Expenses (OOE)

This category covers other expenses directly related to the project such as the purchase of animals, consumables, laboratory manuals, literature search, and maintenance of equipment. Conference travel will be funded only if a presentation or if an article is presented and is capped at $6,000 per trip per requested year. The presentation or article must be directly related to the project and NMRC’s support must be acknowledged.

Item Description

/

Cost

Materials & Consumables
Overseas Travel
Others:
(please specify)
Total
/ $0.00

Grand Total: SGD$0.00

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14.4Details and Justifications of Budget Requested

Please provide breakdown for all categories if this is not indicated in the tables.

14.4.1 Manpower

Justifications

14.4.2 Equipment

Justifications

14.4.3Other Operating Expenses (OOE)

Justifications

Materials & Consumables
Overseas Travel
Otherse.g. Singapore Clinical Research Institutes (SCRI) cost

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15Milestones[5]

Please propose Milestones for assessment of the progress of the study and shade the appropriate boxes. The proposed milestones will be subjected to review by a post-award committee at the end of each FY for the period of grant awarded.

Milestones / Targeted Duration
Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3
Q1 / Q2 / Q3 / Q4 / Q1 / Q2 / Q3 / Q4 / Q1 / Q2 / Q3 / Q4
Eg. Milestone 1 (please replace)
Eg. Milestone 2 (please replace)
Eg. Milestone 3 (please replace)

16Expected Outcomes

Please indicate your realistic expectations on the outcomes of this grant. Please state ‘NA’ where indicator is not applicable.

Performance Indicators / Indicate number / value
Capability Indicators / Training R&D manpower for industry * / Master’s research students trained
PhD students trained
Master’s research and PhD students trained and spun out to local industry as RSEs(Research Scientist & Engineer)
Research staff spun out to local industry as RSEs
Post-doctoral (within 3 years of the PhD award) researchers hired
Developing long term R&D capability / Joint programs/projects with prestigious international research organizations
Joint programs/projects with local universities
Invention disclosures
Patents filed
Patents granted
Patents commercialized
Papers published in international journals *
(To state impact factor)
Presentations at international conferences
Awards for research at national and international level
Industry Relevance Indicators / R&D collaboration / R&D projects with industry cash funding
Industry dollars received to fund R&D projects
Outcomes / Revenue from royalties and licensing agreements
Spin-off companies registered
New products or processes commercialized

*NMRC places special emphasis on these targets.