Program supports research into the impact of population changes
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Population Research Infrastructure Program provides resources to support and advance research that will improve understanding of population structure and change.

Applicants may request funds to support infrastructure development and/or research designed to: (1) enhance the quality and quantity of population research conducted at an institution, and (2) develop new research capabilities to advance population research through innovative approaches.

Because MU is limited to one application for this program, letters of intent must be submitted to the Office of Research, ltdsub@missouri.edu, no later than 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2006.  

Letters of intent should be limited to three pages and should include: a listing of participating investigators and their departments, population-related themes that exemplify the applicant program's most significant current and/or anticipated contributions to population research, and a summary of the vision for the research unit and its current and future contributions to population research.

• Campus Deadline for Letter of Intent: 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, 2006.
• External Proposal Deadline: Dec. 21, 2006
• Amount: NICHD expects to commit approximately $2.1 million in total costs in FY 2007.
• For more information visit Deparatment of Health and Human Services Web site.

Funding available for projects focusing on national defense
The Department of the Air Force is soliciting proposals for the FY 2007 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program. This program is designed to improve the capabilities of U.S. institutions of higher education to conduct research and to educate scientists and engineers in areas important to national defense, by providing funds for the acquisition of research equipment. Approximately $41 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. Only U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science, mathematics or engineering may submit proposals, which are due Sept. 12, 2006. More information is available at the Department of the Airforce Web site.

NSF program promotes international collaboration
The NSF Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) program will enable U.S. institutions to establish collaborative relationships with international groups or institutions in order to engender new knowledge and discoveries and to promote the development of a globally-engaged, U.S. scientific and engineering workforce. International partnerships are, and will be, increasingly indispensable in addressing critical science and engineering problems.

Because MU is limited to three applications for this program, letters of intent must be submitted to the Office of Research, ltdsub@missouri.edu, no later than 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2006. Letters of intent should be limited to a two-page summary of the proposed program.

• Campus Deadline for Letter of Intent: 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1, 2006.
• External Proposal Deadline: Required letters of intent are due by Oct. 30, 2006. Full proposals are due Feb. 28, 2007.
• Amount: Up to five years, with annual budgets of up to $500,000.
• Visit this National Science Foundation Web page for more information.

BWF encourages multidisciplinary approach to the study of human infectious diseases
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund's (BWF's) Investigators in Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease program supports research that sheds light on overarching problems in this encounter: how colonization, infection, commensalism, and other relationships play out at levels ranging from molecular interactions to systemic ones. BWF is particularly interested in work focused on the host, as well as host-pathogen studies originating in viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasite systems. Studies supported by the program may have their roots in the pathogen, but the focus of the work should be on the interplay of host and microbe.  

Candidates will generally have an M.D., D.V.M., or Ph.D. degree. BWF particularly encourages human health-relevant applications from veterinary scientists.

Because MU is limited to two applications (or three if a DVM is nominated) for this program, letters of intent must be submitted to the Office of Research, ltdsub@missouri.edu, no later than 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 2006. Letters of intent should be limited to a one-page summary of the proposed research and a two-page biographical sketch of the applicant.

• Campus Deadline for Letter of Intent: 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.
• External Proposal Deadline: Nov. 1, 2006.
• Amount: $400,000 over a period of five years ($80,000 per year).
• For more information, visit the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Web site.

Pew program supports young researchers
The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences supports young investigators of outstanding promise in the basic and clinical sciences relevant to the advancement of human health. The funding of the awards is provided by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The award is intended to provide assured support, during their earlier years, for junior members of the faculty as they establish their laboratories.

Eligible candidates must hold full-time appointments at the rank of assistant professor or equivalent. Candidates must not have been in such an appointment for more than three years as of July 1, 2007.

Because MU is limited to one application for this program, letters of intent must be submitted to the Office of Research, ltdsub@missouri.edu, no later than 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.  Letters of intent should be limited to a one-page summary of the work to be undertaken and a two-page biosketch of the nominee.

• Campus Deadline for Letter of Intent: 4 p.m., Friday, Sept.15, 2006.
• External Proposal Deadlines:  Nov. 1, 2006.
• Amount: $60,000 per year for four years.
• For more information, visit The Center for the Health Professions Web site.