UCR School of Medicine Dean's Collaborative Seed Grant provides funds up to $25,000 in seed grant funding for collaborative interdisciplinary research projects between faculty in the Division of Biomedical Sciences and UCR as a whole, aimed at developing proposals and preliminary data for full NIH or similar grant applications. There is no commitment to award a specific number of grants; awards will be based on merit and available funds.

• Proposals are due by December 1, 2024 via email to Jacquelin.Seybert@medsch.ucr.edu
• Awards will be announced by January 31, 2025
• Funds must be spent by the end of the 12-month award period.
• Grants will be reviewed by the research committee or designated School of Medicine faculty if there is conflict.

The 2025 winning proposals are:

Distinguishing Asthma-like Pulmonary Disease Induced by LPS Laden Salton Sea Dust in a Pediatric Population
Aligned with serving the underserved communities of the Inland Empire, Caroline McGowan, MD and David Lo, MD, PhD, serving as co-PI and mentor, propose to study the detrimental effects of dust and particulate matter (PM) arising from the Salton Sea and how they impact the children residing in these areas.
 
Interaction of HIV and Methamphetamine on Anti-Viral and Immune Mechanisms of Dopamine Dysfunction in Addiction
Natalie Zlebnik, PhD and Marcus Kaul, PhD, with Adam Godzik, PhD consulting and Iryna Ethell, PhD serving as Zlebnik’s mentor, propose to tackle the rising public health concern of drug abuse and the increased risk for HIV infection by using preclinical mouse models to determine how methamphetamine affects HIV progression and transmission.
 
Impacts of Occupational Exposures on Immune and Pulmonary Health in Farmworker Populations in Inland Southern California
In line with addressing health risks within underserved communities in the Inland Empire, Erica Heinrich, PhD and Ann Cheney, PhD, serving as co-PI and mentor, propose to investigate the effects of occupational exposures on farmworkers’ pulmonary health and sleep disordered breathing.

Review Criteria:

1. Demonstration of a new active collaboration across two or more faculty with one being in the Division of Biomedical Sciences. Other collaborators can include researchers in the SOM Division of Clinical Sciences (e.g., Social Medicine, Population and Public Health) or different UCR academic units. Proposals involving two departments/divisions within SOM or across campus focused on health disparities are encouraged. 
2. When provided, the strength of the preliminary data from this collaboration can help test initial ideas and support development of a competitive research proposal. 
3. Potential for project to launch an application for further funding from an extramural funding agency such as NIH, within a year or two of the grant award. 
4. Potential for additional outcomes, such as a research publication. 

Required Application Format:

1. A title page identifying:

• The title of the proposal
• The Principle Investigators (PI) (at least two)
  • If one PI is an Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) a mentor must also be identified
• Contact information for the PI

2. A short (no more than two pages) research strategy

• Single-spaced, Arial 11-point font
• Briefly describe:
  • The aims and health relevance and significance
  • How the project will enhance multidisciplinary collaboration
  • The experimental plan (should be feasible during the 12-month period) including any relevant preliminary data (optional)
  • A statement of any plan for applying for an extramural research grant that will be facilitated by this pilot project
  • What each PI will contribute to the project
• If Figures and/or Tables are included, they must fit within the two-page limit.

3. References (not counted within the two-page limit)

• Preferred reference format is NIH citations

4. Budget

• Funds to be used only for personnel and supplies/core facility services
• Equipment is not allowed

5. A biographical sketch for each PI and any mentors

• Must follow either NIH or NSF styles

6. Current and Pending Support for each PI