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Developmental Projects

The MCCTR will support 2-year developmental projects on C&T, community-engaged, and population health research on major chronic diseases impacting Mississippians. Key considerations in awarding support to project investigators will be (1) the scientific rigor of the application, (2) the likelihood of attracting extramural funding, and (3) the probability that the research program would lead to improved health outcomes. All applications selected by the MCCTR for funding require final approval from the NIGMS, and those approved and funded projects will be subject to all current NIH and NIGMS regulatory requirements.

Eligible applicants include full-time employees with a faculty or clinical fellow appointment at one of the MCCTR partner institutions: Mississippi State University (MSU), Tougaloo College, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC; includes joint UMMC/VA appointments), the University of Mississippi (UM), and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Faculty at non-partner institutions in Mississippi are also eligible to apply, but selected applications will require an additional approval step by the NIGMS prior to a notice of award.

These are two-year projects, suitable for developing into investigator-initiated applications such as NIH R01-equivalent RPGs, with additional data. A Developmental Project should be led by an independent investigator with the background and scientific expertise necessary to lead the proposed research. The maximum budget for a Developmental Project is $75,000 in annual direct costs.

Projects must be clinical or translational research. NIH definitions for clinical and translational research are as follows:

Clinical Research is research with human subjects that is:
- Patient-oriented research. Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues that cannot be linked to a living individual. It includes: (a) mechanisms of human disease, (b) therapeutic interventions, (c) clinical trials, or (d) development of new technologies.
- Epidemiological and behavioral studies.
- Outcomes research and health services research

NOTE: Studies falling under 45 CFR Part 46.101(b)(4) (the "Common Rule" prior to July 19, 2018, and 45 CFR Part 46.104(d) 4) (the "Revised Common Rule" effective July 19, 2018, Exemption 4) are not considered clinical research by this definition.

Translational Research includes two areas of translation:
- The first area is translational research that ranges from preclinical studies to the development of trials and studies in humans.
- The second area of translation concerns research aimed at enhancing the adoption of best practices in the community. Cost-effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies is also an important part of translational science.

Awardees are required to submit a progress report to the MCCTR Administrative Core quarterly via the online reporting site PieStar. Awardees will receive emails with additional information about how to access the site and what data/information is required for reporting. Briefly, reports will include information on research progress, challenges or barriers to success, and product updates (including publications, presentations, grant submissions, awards, and academic promotions).

Developmental Project awardees may be required to form a mentoring team upon notification of award, based on their project scope, professional experience, and additional factors. If a mentoring team is required, the awardee must provide a Mentoring Plan and a Mentoring Agreement following consultation with the Professional Development Core.