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The purpose of this funding is to support an MK-MDT Guest Scholar Award to a faculty member to conduct research or activities that create a deeper understanding of the links between diabetes, aging, and dementia in rural and/or Indigenous populations. This award does not require in-person residency in Duluth but travel to the MK- MDT facilities is encouraged as is a virtual presence.

Funds associated with this award can be used to support pilot research aligned with the MK-MDT community- engaged approach or to consolidate knowledge from work already undertaken. We encourage applicants with a background of research related to diabetes, dementia, and aging to apply. We will also accept applications from faculty who want to expand their research into this area. These applicants should clearly state the reasons for their new interest in this area and their plans for continuing this work after the grant period. Applicants must develop a tangible product such as pilot study funding for larger NIH grant, publication(s), etc.

The Guest Scholar will have access to and benefit from the team science activities of the MK-MDT as well as the well-developed community engagement infrastructures the MK-MDT has in place. The award recipient is encouraged to connect with our community engagement specialist team and Elders and Advisors in residence.

During the award year the Scholar will provide updates on their progress and results of the project through an appropriate format, and provide a seminar on their findings to faculty, staff and/or the donor on the Duluth campus in cooperation with the Director of MK-MDT. Applicants must be UMN faculty members in good standing. This Scholar opportunity is made possible through an endowment from C. Faster. All work conducted under the auspices of this appointment must acknowledge the funding source (C. Faster Diabetes, Memory, and Aging Scholar at the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team).

The award will be used to support faculty at the University of Minnesota, in any college or campus, who are pursuing new research questions that focus on the social, cultural, environmental and/or biological connections between diabetes and dementia in older rural and/or Indigenous adults. All interested faculty from across the University are invited to apply. Award recipients must agree to become affiliate faculty of the MK-MDT upon receipt of the award. Part of the purpose of this award is to develop a cadre of faculty with ongoing affiliations with the MK-MDT that extend to the future.

Application Procedures

Applications must include the following components and utilize the same font and margins as NIH submissions:

1. Cover Page (1 page) to include title, abstract, the name and home department of the principal investigator.

2. Proposal (3 pages) to include a Statement of the Hypothesis to be tested and a list of Specific Aims.

   Proposals must also contain a Background and Significance section, description of the impact the study will have on the field of study and on your career, and how the project will align and integrate with MK- MDT mission and projects. Given the three-page limit, there is not an expectation that details of specific analyses will be included. Include references (not included in the page limit).

3. Timeline (2 pages) for outcomes, benchmarks, and deliverables over the duration of the project, which will be used to demonstrate continued progress during the requested funding period.

4. Proposals involving human samples (1 page): If the proposal includes obtaining any samples from humans (either from a stored sample set or prospective collection), please provide details of what samples will be used and if applicable, a diagram of the proposed clinical trial with supporting text to explain the nature of the trial. Further, this section should include details on size calculation, statistical methodology to assess the results of the trial, and how accessible the patient population will be. Proposals that involve a clinical trial are encouraged to use established infrastructure resources in the medical School, including CTSI (CRSC, biospecimen repository, informatics consultation, BDAC, etc.) and services of the Institute for Health Informatics (IHI).

5. Budget with justification using the PHS398 budget procedures and forms. Funds will only be allocated for University of Minnesota expenses; subawards to other institutions will not be allowed.

6. Current NIH biosketch for PI

7. By 12pm on May 1, 2023, complete and route a Proposal Routing Form (PRF) for signatures. The PRF should NOT be processed by the Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA). Awards will be set up as non-sponsored accounts. The sponsor name is C. Faster Diabetes, Memory, and Aging Scholar at the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team with a start date of 7/1/2023.

Inquiries

Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcomed. Direct inquiries regarding eligibility or the review considerations should be directed to Lynsie Radovich @ lradovic@d.umn.edu. Questions related to submitting the proposal or general questions on the application process should be submitted to Tracy Kemp @ tkemp1@d.umn.edu. More information HERE.