Request for Applications (RFA)
Background and Overview:
The CAGT Travel Award is offered by Duke University’s Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies (CAGT), and is for current trainees, including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, who seek an opportunity to extend the scope and impact of their research by learning new methods or technologies and bringing that expertise back to Duke. Successful candidates will identify a collaborator at another research institution that is committed to hosting and training the visitor. Following this experience, candidates should be able to continue their research with ongoing collaboration. Through this funding award, the CAGT aims to establish a strong global network of collaborators and increase the speed and flexibility with which new methods and technologies can be established by Duke research labs. We are particularly interested in fostering international collaborations that are key in bringing together like-minded scientists to address difficult scientific challenges, strengthen science communication, and advance biomedical research together.
Awardees will receive financial support to visit the proposed collaborator for a brief period (e.g. 1 week) to initiate the collaboration. The proposed research training may be new to the applicant or an extension of the applicant’s prior research.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the award the applicant must:
- Be a current Duke University graduate student or postdoctoral fellow working with a Duke CAGT-affiliated lab
- Have a Duke PI/mentor
- Have demonstrated a commitment to biomedical science research in relevant areas, such as genetics, genomics, gene editing, and gene therapy.
- Have established a relationship with a potential mentor at an internationally recognized research institution.
- Submit a research proposal detailing their collaborative research project including a budget and a description of how the method/technology they learn will be disseminated at Duke.
- Candidates must justify the need for their collaboration, and show how it will substantially enhance their training.
- Underrepresented minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Award Information:
Planning & execution of the proposed project will be the responsibility of the candidate, their Duke PI, and their international collaborator. We anticipate most of the travels to last around 1 week but applicants should justify the duration of visit necessary to adequately learn the techniques/methods being sought.
CAGT Funds must be used towards the awardee's flights, transportation, housing, and food expenses.
Deadline to Apply: September 29, 2023
Notice of Award: November 1, 2023
Funds Expire: December 4, 2024.
Awardees will participate in a brief workshop upon returning from their travels, and share with the broader CAGT community what they learned and how it will be applied at Duke.
Application Process:
Each application package must include the following materials:
- Letter of Intent (1 pg) describing justification for traveling abroad for this collaboration and providing a clear description of what they seek to gain from it.
- Current CV/Resume
- Research Plan (2 pgs) with Specific Aims, Background & Significance, and Planned Activities.
- Budget & Justification (1 pg) with a breakdown of proposed expenses. Things to consider are flights, housing, food, etc.
- Letter of Support from their current Duke PI, including a description of commitment from the collaborator and how this will impact research at Duke.
Submission Instructions:
Compile all application materials into 1 PDF file, and email them to Michael Humphreys with the subject "CAGT Travel Award Application."
Evaluation Criteria:
Applications will be evaluated on several factors, including the relevance of the proposed collaboration to the CAGT goals and objectives, the feasibility of the project, and the potential impact of the collaboration on this research project and more broadly the Duke research community.
Contact Information:
For questions, contact Michael Humphreys.