ABMRF/The Foundation for Alcohol Research
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GRANT APPLICATION FORM
Specific instructions for the various sections of the application are contained within the electronic application.
Revised versions of previously submitted applications should address specific reviewer comments in a cover letter accompanying the application package. Applicants submitting revised applications may use their login credentials from previous submissions, but please create a new application within that account. Do not alter previously submitted applications from past grant rounds.
Header Requirements: Please place the Principal Investigator's full name, the institution's name and the title of the project in the header of each page you are attaching for the application. The title of the project may be abbreviated for the header, if necessary.
Type Requirements: The online submission system will control the final font size of information entered within the form so that it is in keeping with an easily read format. For your one hard copy submission, please use an easily read Helvetica or Arial 11 font and 1 inch margins.
Page Limits: Limitations on number of pages and space provided on the application form should not be exceeded. Applications exceeding these limits may be returned for revision resulting in a delay in review. The Research proposal should not exceed 8 pages in length. The Biographical Sketches for investigators should not exceed 2 pages in length.
Abstract: The Abstract on the face page of the application should be a summary description of the proposed research within the space provided. If the proposed research is funded, the abstract, as written, may be used by the ABMRF for informational purposes to describe its program activities. Therefore, do not include proprietary or confidential information.
Keywords: List four keywords that characterize the research project in the space provided below the abstract.
Research Plan: The Research Plan should not exceed a total of 8 pages in length. Please state the significance of the proposed project in relation to the relevance to the mission and research interests of ABMRF. Program Information and Guidelines are available in the downloadable document found here.
Budget: The budget form should contain information on your necessary expenses toward personnel salaries, itemized equipment, major supplies, necessary travel and any other expenses. The project's Indirect Cost Allowance may not exceed 15% of the Total Direct Costs. Please also include a justification for your budget allowances for travel, equipment or other unusual items.
Appendices: Additional material may be submitted in support of the application. Up to four items (e.g., reprints, manuscripts, abstracts, data collection instruments, questionnaires, etc.) may be included as appendices to the application. Please place the P.I.'s name, institution and project title in the header of all appendices.
Illustrations: Illustrations such as figures, tables and photographs mentioned in the grant proposal must be presented within the Research Plan within close proximity of the section where it is discussed. If it is necessary to present a larger version of the figures, tables, to enable thorough examination by the reviewers, it is permissible to attach a larger copy as appendix material, but do not add any additional text to the legend that accompanies the figure or table within the Research Plan. This prevents unfairly using appendices as an extension of the Research Plan. Letters of collaboration, informed consent forms and institutional approvals are not counted against the application page limitation and should be uploaded/attached as appendix material.
Applicant Requirements: Applications are not accepted from undergraduate and graduate students, medical students, post-doctoral fellows, and others still on training status. An exception may be made under certain circumstances (e.g., if the start date of the grant award is after the completion of the fellowship appointment, if the applicant is recognized as having already established an independent research career, etc.).
Hard Copy Application: The original hard copy of the application must be signed by an institutional official authorized to act on behalf of the applicant organization. Consult the institution business office, grants and contracts office, etc. One original hard copy application (single sided, unstapled) should be postmarked by the deadline in addition to submitting the electronic version.
Printing the Application: To print the ABMRF electronic application to send as the one signed, hard copy, please click "Print This Page" at the bottom left of each page before you submit your application. You will need to print out each document that you attached to the application separately. The printed copy of the electronic application will print as a screenshot and not as a form. This copy is primarily for our records, as the Council will review the electronic version.
Deadlines: Application submission dates are February 1 and September 1 with review by the appropriate Advisory Council in April and November, respectively. Applications submitted February 1 may request a start date no earlier than July 1; September 1 submissions may request a start date no earlier than January 1. Awards are paid in quarterly installments.
Applications must be electronically submitted and the signed hard copy postmarked by the submission date. If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, the postmark deadline is the most recent weekday before February 1 or September 1. The signed hard copy should be sent to:
Grants Program Administrator
ABMRF/The Foundation for Alcohol Research
1122 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 407
Baltimore, Maryland 21204
Phone: 410-821-7066, Fax: 410-821-7065
E-mail: grantinfo@abmrf.org
Internet: www.abmrf.org
(Revised January 2011)
APPLICATION CHECKLIST TO PREVENT COMMON PROBLEMS
Did you:
Overall Application
- Use an easily readable font size such as Arial 11 or Helvetica 11?
- Ensure Research Plan does not exceed 8 pages?
- Include all illustrations (figures, tables, photographs, etc.) and their legends within the Research Plan? Attach duplicate copies in Appendix only if a larger version would be useful for reviewers to consider in detail, but additions to the legend are not permitted in the duplicate copy appearing as an appendix. This prevents unfairly using appendix material as an extension of the Research Plan.
- Print one hard copy version of the application to be signed by the Principal Investigator and an institutional official?
- Sign the Principal Investigator Acknowledgment Statement on the original hard copy?
- Include 1 copy of the appendices collated with the original application form?
- Submit 1 electronic application, print and postmark 1 hard copy by 1 February or 1 September deadlines?
Page 1
- Indicate at the top of Page 1 in box whether or not this is a revised application?
- If revised, did you include cover letter addressing specific comments from previous review?
- Obtain Institutional Authorization to submit your proposal that is demonstrated with a signature on Page 1 of the hard copy by an official authorized to act on behalf of your research institution; and note the official’s name on the electronic version?
- List four keywords at the bottom of Page 1?
Application Sections
- “Budget” section - Assure that Indirect Costs do not exceed 15% of Total Direct Costs and are included in the total amount requested? Note: Most annual ABMRF awards do not exceed US $50,000 (including indirect costs).
- “Other Support” section - Indicate any Active or Pending research grants and include abstracts and awarded/requested amounts with your application?
- “Ethical Aspects” section - If applicable, comment on institutional arrangements to safeguard humane animal care or cautious use of biohazard material? If not applicable, indicate “N/A.”
Attachments (attach scanned copies with electronic application and include 1 set with mailed hard copy)
- Include a header with the PI's full name, institution, and the project's title on every page?
- Include a list of all references cited in Research Plan (the reference list is not counted as part of the 8-page limit)?
- Include a Biographical Sketch for all key personnel mentioned in Research Plan?
- Include letters of support from co-PIs, collaborating institutions, etc.?
- Attach copies of abstracts submitted to other funding agencies for all Active or Pending research grant applications?
- Include no more than four items of Appendix material (other than copies of illustrations that appear within the Research Plan) such as reprints, manuscripts, data collection instruments, questionnaires, etc.?
- Include scanned copy of signed IRB approval or a letter from the PI with an update on the status of the pending IRB application, if applicable?