1. What category should my proposal go in?
Please view the category descriptions posted on the website. Take into consideration the requirements for each category and decide which category best fits your project.
2. I applied for the CUMG Award last year and didn't receive it. I will apply again this year. Should I submit it as a re-submit?
If the proposal has not changed except to address the reviewer's comments from last year, submit as a re-submit. Indicate on the main application form, Section B, Item 6, that the proposal is a re-submit. Last year's proposal and reviewer comments will be included in the review with the review committee. If the title and subject matter have change, submit as a new submission.
3. Who can help me with my budget?
The budget worksheet on the CUMG grant is designed to mimic the one for NIH grants. It is fairly simple and straight forward. The main issues concerning a CUMG budget is that it does not exceed $40,000.00 and it does not include salary or fringe for any U of A system faculty member. The CUMG budget can include salary for project members working on the project, but not any faculty members within the U of A system (e.g., UAMS, UALR, UABP). If the project is a clinic trial, then the best resource for questions regarding the budget is Janet Storment (phone 364-2760).
4. Who can help me with statistical analyses?
The UAMS College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Statistics Section is compensated by ACHRI in return for statistical support services.
5. Does the Review Committee have the expertise to "judge" my application?
The review committee is not selected and assembled until after the CUMG deadline has passed and all applications have been reviewed by the ACHRI Grant Specialist and the ACHRI President. Review Committee members are specifically selected and assigned applications based on areas of expertise. However, conflicts of interests must be avoided. This is inherent in peer reviews within a relatively small research community. ACHRI strives to select the most qualified committee members based on expertise and the ability to remain impartial.
6. I am a UAMS Faculty member in the Pediatrics Department, but my office/lab is on the UAMS campus. Am I eligible to apply for the CUMG grant?
Yes. The CUMG program is open to all College of Medicine Faculty. If you are a resident or a fellow, you must have a sponsor. (Only the Lyon Award stipulates that applicants must be based on the ACH campus.)
7. Do CUMG funds cover a PhD salary?
It depends. CUMG funds will not cover any UAMS Faculty salary OR any U of A system faculty salary. But it will cover salary and fringe for employees who are not faculty. So if you need the services of a PhD on your research, your CUMG funds will cover this person's salary and fringe only if he/she is not faculty. Reminder: the CUMG award is only for $40,000 for a 24 month period. FYI: Historically, the CUMG review committee has frowned on spending program money on expenses outside of the UAMS COM. If you would like to use an outside consultant or UALR or UAPB, etc. services, you should provide a solid justification for these expenses on your budget justification form.
8. My project will include human studies. I would like to use storage services through ACHRI. Should this be included in my CUMG budget?
PIs can use the CUMG budget to cover the cost of storage. It should be included in the Other Cost category. The policy for document storage is on the ACHRI website. As of 02/2005, the cost is .34 cents per box per year. The boxes are 1.3 cubic feet in size. PIs can refer to the policy to figure out how many years they will need to store the information. PIs are the best judge regarding how many boxes they will need. For more information, Janet Storment is the contact person for storage issues (364-2760).
9. Explain the routing process for CUMG Grants.
The routing process for intramural grants is initiated and overseen by the PI. The Main Application Form (or "Face Page") lists the required signatures at the bottom. The form has been designed to prompt the PI to obtain the signatures in the optimal order. ACHRI suggests this order: First the PI, then the Section Chief, next, Accounting and last, the Department Chair and Administrator. For routing, the PI does not have to route the complete/final version of the proposal, but the routing should include 1)The complete budget form, 2) The budget justification form 3) A proposal summary and 4) The main application page. ACHRI strongly advises that the routing process begin 10 business days before the application deadline. You should be prepared for delays in the process. ACHRI can not make exceptions for those who started the routing too late to get all of the signatures before the deadline date.
10. If I am a co-PI on an extramural grant submission, does that meet the extramural submission requirements for my CUMG award for which I was the PI?
This depends on the size of the grant and what support the Co-PI or Co-investigators will get on the grant. If the PI on the grant has an RDF and it is a standard modular budget NIH grant with $250,000 that the Co-PI or Co-investigator garners only 5-15% salary then that should be considered differently than a scenario of a $4,000,000 grant where a Co-PI or Co-Investigator has the level of support that would be close or equivalent to having their own R01.
11. I would like to use my CUMG budget to cover salary support for a non-UAMS technician. Is this within the regulations of the CUMG program?
CUMG money can not be used to cover salary support for any U of A faculty members. Other than this, the RDF funds can be used for salary support for any technician. HOWEVER, historically, the CUMG review committee has frowned on spending program money on expenses outside of the UAMS COM. If you would like to use an outside consultant or UALR or UAPB, etc. services, you should provide a solid justification for these expenses on your budget justification form.
Please send all CUMG correspondence to:
Amy Stalls
1120 Marshall Slot 842
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 364-3627
Fax (501) 364-2705
Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute
1120 Marshall Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 364-7373
Fax (501) 364-2705