Three things are simmering in the hot summer sun: funding for toxicologists, rolling out the strategic plan, and anticipating science in San Antonio.
We are all aware that sufficient funding to support research and student training for toxicologists may be challenging to secure in the next few years. SOT's Research Funding Committee chaired by David Dorman, as well as Council members, recognize the issues and have developed a new blog site to let our members know of both traditional and nontraditional sources of funding.
From the traditional perspective, there is the call from the new NIH Study Section, Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) Systemic Injury by Environmental Exposure (SIEE), reinstated to review grant applications “in the fields of Environmental Health and Toxicology.” SOT leadership worked with the CSR for a number of years regarding the need for a Study Section focused on toxicology. We encourage potential applicants in the field of toxicology and environmental health sciences to consider submitting applications directed to this study section. View the new guidelines for SIEE.
Applicants are strongly advised to include a cover letter asking for their applications to be reviewed in the SIEE SEP. The future success of this study section will largely depend on the response from the research community in this vital discipline.
From the nontraditional perspective, we provide the following sources for you to consider. As just a first offering:
Department of Defense (Autism Concept Award)
Bureau of Land Management
The Gulf Research Initiative (British Petroleum)
DOD (Office of Naval Research)
Contracts—BARDA
Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs)
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
NINDS/CounterACT—Chemical Countermeasure Program—OB—Pediatric Medical Countermeasure Development
The below three mechanisms provide funding for research and development of medical countermeasures for chemical WMD agents including children. They are expected to be renewed.
- Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Cooperative Research Projects (U01) [Summary]
Application Due Date(s): September 14, 2011, 2012
Announcement Number: PAR-11-155
Funding Contact: David A. Jett, PhD
Program Area: Office of Translational Research
- Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Research Centers of Excellence (U54) [Summary]
Application Due Date(s): September 14, 2010, 2011, 2012
Announcement Number: PAR-10-181
- Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Exploratory/Developmental Projects in Translational Research (R21) [Summary]
Application Due Date(s): February 1, 2010, 2011, 2012
Announcement Number: PAR-10-019
Funding Contact: David Yeung, PhD
Program Area: Office of Translational Research
Funding Contact: David A. Jett, PhD
NIAID-Nuclear/Radiation Countermeasure Program
Requests for Applications (RFAs)
The NIH-FDA, Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science for Research Relevant to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (P50) was published in the NIH Guide, July 10, 2012—These grants will include a minimum of three research projects, a developmental/pilot research component, and research training and education. Research grant applications are due November 14, 2012, with funding in fiscal year 2013.
Of equal importance, through a NEW blog mechanism and an open Research Funding Community on ToXchange, we provide the opportunity for you to suggest additional sites that provide links to possible funding. Let's help each other meet the challenge of adequate support of toxicology research.
In collaboration with Graduate Student Leadership Committee (GSLC; Tammy Lynn Palenski, Chair) and the Postdoctoral Assembly Executive Board (PDA; Enrique Fuentes-Mattei, Chair), Council also will use the same blog approach to provide links to student training opportunities at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels. For example: The US FDA website on the US FDA Commissioner’s Fellowship Program, a two year structured training program focused on Regulatory Science. Other examples are listed below:
At present, we are seeking postdoctoral candidates with expertise in the areas of: Ecology—Biostatistics—Biology/Toxicology/Health Sciences Announcement.
Career Awards for Medical Scientists.docx (17 k)
With Council's allocation of resources to aspirational goals, the Society's strategic plan is rising in the summer sun. In addition to listing the many budgeted activities proposed by SOT's active committees, task forces, and other component groups, progress has been made in the following areas: The data for the SOT Job Outlook Survey has been collected, primarily from industry and academia, and analysis is underway, with the results to be reported to the full SOT membership this Fall; the Board of Publications is holding a Strategic Review of Toxicological Sciences in September 2012 to evaluate enhancing its scientific impact, and an increased emphasis on strengthening SOT’s mentoring initiatives is underway. In addition, groups such as the Scientific Liaison Coalition and the Disease Prevention Task Force are engaged in activities to increase the awareness and appreciation of toxicology by human health practitioners and to encourage these individuals to participate in collaborative endeavors focused on human health and disease prevention with the Society.
Thanks to the good work of the Scientific Program Committee and the many Regional Chapters, Special Interests Groups, Specialty Sections, and Committees that contributed proposals, the March 2013 Annual Meeting is becoming a treasure chest of research and education. New this year will be a session called Frontiers for Toxicology, designed by our Vice President and Scientific Program Committee Chair, Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman, that will focus on cutting-edge research presented by preeminent scientists with the goal of bringing important, new information to our membership on a subject that will impact basic and applied toxicology research. The session is going to feature scientific leaders in the broad field of systems biology. Soon our preliminary program will highlight all the exciting symposia, workshops, and other sessions that promise to provide the very best in research and education.
So as we try to stay cool in the summer sun, keep in mind the beautiful sunny skies and moderate temperatures that will greet you in the festive city of San Antonio, our 2013 SOT Annual Meeting location. The abstract deadline of October 3, 2012, is not far off so act now to secure your spot to deliver your very best research.
Sincerely,
Bill Slikker Jr., 2012–2013 SOT President