Center Grants at UW:How can they help junior faculty?

Bonnie Ramsey, M.D.Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington

Ian DeBoer, M.D.Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Washington

Lucas Hoffman, M.D.Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington

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University of WashingtonResearch Centers

• UW Criteria for Center Designation (termed Organized Research Unit or ORU):– A dean or deans may authorize the creation of an ORU

– Office of the Provost must approve the name

– Deans sends letter of request to the Vice Provost for Research (including mission, funding basis, organizational structure, etc)

• Total number of centers: 281• Funding support may include NIH,

Foundations, or philanthropy• Today’s presentation will focus on NIH

supported centers

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Major Types of NIH Grant Funding

• Research grants (“R” and “U” series)• Career Development Awards (“K” series)• Research Training (“T” and “F” series)• Program Project/Center Grants (“P” series)

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Purpose of P-Series Grants

• Support large, multi-project research programs• Enhance research productivity of individual

awards by– Providing ready access to core resources– Promoting knowledge sharing, collaboration and networking

across investigators– Promoting innovation through pilot projects

• Promote cross fertilization across investigators from a broad range of disciplines– Common focus is translational research linking laboratory and

clinically based scientists

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Types of “P” Awards

• P01: Program Project Grants―Directed toward a range of projects having a central

research theme or program goal―All projects must contribute to the goal―The award supports shared resources in addition to

projects―3 examples at UW:

1. Adult Leukemia Research Center (Appelbaum) – NCI, $4M 2. Immunological and Virological Events in Early HIV Infection

(Mullins) – NIAID, $2.3M3. Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Repair (Murry) – NHLBI,

$2.4M

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P-50: Specialized Centers

• Comprises a multidisciplinary attack on a specific problem area

• Supports the full range of research and development from laboratory research to clinical application

• Distinct from P01s because they emerge from a programmatic need of an NIH institute

• 2 examples of P-50s at UW:1. Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (Montine) – NIA, $2.5M

2. Center for Genomics and Health Care Equality (Burke) – NHGRI, $0.9M

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P-30 Center Core Grant

• Supports shared resources and facilities for categorical research by multiple investigators from different disciplines

• Supports pilot funding for innovative research• Increases productivity of individual grants• Currently, approximately 12 P-30 funded grants

at UW, SCH and FHCRC

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NIDDK* Supported P-30 Center Grants at UW-Affiliated Institutions

InstituteInstitute Research FocusResearch Focus PI (s)PI (s) Funding Funding periodperiod

ComponentsComponents

NIDDK Cystic Fibrosis B. RamseyEP Greenberg

2009-2015 • cores• pilots• enrichment

NIDDK Diabetes S. Kahn 1976-2017 • cores• pilots• enrichment• training

NIDDK Nutrition/Obesity M. Schwartz 1986-2017 • cores• pilots• enrichment

NIDDK Hematology B. Torok/Storb 1998-2014 • cores• pilots• enrichment• training

NIDDK Environmental Health

T. Kavanaugh 1995-2016 • cores• pilots• enrichment• career develop• outreach

* National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disorders

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Eligibility for P-Series Awards

• Well-established research base; RFA may specify the minimum level of existing funding

• Critical mass of established investigators across disciplines usually spanning translation from laboratory to clinical application

• Successful track record of collaboration• Large research institutions (such as UW) have higher record

of success• Lead PI (PIs) is an established, senior faculty (Associate or

Full Professor)― Junior faculty may be competitive in the setting of an RFA where

the investigator has special expertise― Example: CF Gene Therapy P-30 RFA in 1990s

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Components of P-Series Awards

• Research cores―Laboratory based: e.g., genomics core―Translational – clinical core

• Shared resources– Large equipment: e.g., Imaging Center– Biorepository

• Pilot awards• Enrichment program: e.g., invited lectureship• May include limited funds for mentoring or

career development

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Comparison of CTSA (UL1) and P-Series Grants

CTSACTSA Center GrantCenter Grant

NIH Grant UL1 P-Series

Research Resources Yes Yes

Training Yes No*Pilot Funding Yes Yes

Disease-specific No Yes

* * Limited mentoring supportLimited mentoring support

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UL1 and P Awards are Intended to be Complementary

• Most P awards applications require a letter of support from the institutional CTSA PI

• Research cores should not have significant overlap– Example: ITHS provides CRC and support staff; CF

P-30 provides a clinical core with specific expertise in design of CF studies

• All funding for training and career development come from the ITHS but these individuals may enhance their research through the P- center resources

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Advantages of P Awards/Center Grants to All Investigators

• Access to specialized research cores– “Cutting edge” equipment and techniques– Specialized personnel available to assist in developing new

research techniques

• Cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing and collaboration– New research directions emerge– New projects and grants emerge

• Innovation through pilot projects

• Priority for pilot funding -- 1. Young investigators new to field2. Established PI transitioning to field3. Established PI in the field moving to novel research area

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Opportunities for Young Investigators

• Pilot programs are very robust– >$75k for 2 years– Frequently associated with access to cores at reduced fee

• Access to specialized core facilities– Many programs have reduced costs for young investigators– Core personnel provide critical advice and mentoring

• Excellent source of mentors, collaborators, networking opportunities– Example: CF P-30 holds an annual retreat

• Enrichment programs (lecture series) provide opportunity to present research and gain feedback

• Junior faculty may become project (P01) or core (P30, P50) leaders or co-leaders

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Limitations of P-Awards/Center Grants

• There may not be a center in your area of research

• Application opportunities for pilots infrequent (q 2 years)

• Limited training funds for career development• If you have a K or T award, you may not be able

to have a pilot award as well• Core research services may have a fee

Examples of Junior Faculty Benefitting from Center Grants

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Ian deBoer Luke Hoffman Andrea Schietinger

Muneesh Tewari Harlan Robins Aravind Ramakrishnan

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Center for Hematology, B. Torok-Storb, PIA Model of Support for Junior Faculty

Core Center for Excellence in Hematology (CCEH) (1999-2015)•Program income from core resources generated $640k•All funds placed into a pilot program; > $20k per pilot•31 pilots have been awarded•Eligibility for pilots based upon programmatic priorities such as RNAi applications, CRISPR technology•Some RFAs limited to junior faculty

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Examples of Young Investigators Benefitting from Hematology P-30 Pilot (P & F)Program

•Muneesh Tawari, Assistant Member of FHCRC P & F 2007Received R01 DK085714 and Damon Runyon Innovation

Award

• Harlan Robins, Assistant Member of FHCRC P & F 2007Received R01 AI 08186 and Ellison Foundation New Scholar

Award•Aravind Ramakrishnan, Assistant Member of FHCRCP & F 2010Received McCarthy Foundation Award

•Andrea Schietinger, FHCRC Post-docP & F 2010Received 1K00CA172371

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Personal Experience with Center GrantsCystic Fibrosis Research at UW

1990s2013Historical Perspective

CF ResearchKey Milestones

RDP P-30

1989 Gene discovered

1990s Gene therapy trials

2000s Small molecule HTS underway

2005 Lead candidates IDVX-770 & VX-809

2012 First approved drug, Kalydeco (VX-770)

2013 VX-809/VX-770 in Phase 3 trials

CF AND GENE THERAPY1994 - 2011

CF RESEARCHTRANSLATIONALRESEARCH2009-2015

RESEARCH THEMES

MICROBIOLOGY

GENE THERAPY

MICROBIOLOGY &HOST DEFENSE

CFF supported 1989-2015

TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE

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Core Services Provided by CF-Related Center GrantsComponentComponent RDPRDP P-30P-30

Cores + +Pilots + +Fellowships + -Enrichment + +Admin Core + +

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Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Center (P-30) Organizational Structure

CORES

Genomics Clinical

PILOTS

2010-2012

Hoffman

Becker

2012-2014

Sweet

Hull/Sanda/Gibson

Steering CommitteeRamsey, Greenberg, Parks, Miller, Gibson,

Manoil

B Ramsey EP Greenberg

Borenstein

Microbiology Histology/ Inflammation

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Have Young Investigators Benefitted from the CF Research Center?

• Total number of junior faculty funded over 20 years– Fellows: 22 (RDP)– Pilots: 15 (Gene Rx), 18 (RDP), 3 (CFTRC)

• Total funding for young investigators: $3.6 M

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Career Paths for These Investigators

• >50% received CFF or R-01 grants• 95% of pilot PIs stayed in academics• 72% of fellows stayed in academics• 75% of junior faculty became senior

faculty

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How do you find a Research Center at UW?

• NIH RePorter: http://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm

• UW site: http://www.washington.edu/research/centers/

Thanks!