Climate, Health, and Aging Innovation and Research Solutions for Communities (CHAIRS-C)

Proposals due Friday, January 31, 2025 

We are pleased to announce the availability of pilot grants through a new center planning grant, CHAIRS-C. The aim of the CHAIRS-C pilot grant program is to stimulate research at Brown in climate change and health. While the focus of CHAIRS-C is on older adult populations, we will consider all research projects focused on climate and health, aligning our approach with that of the NIH Climate Change Health Initiative. We anticipate funding 2-4 pilot projects with budgets of $25-50K in 2025. This funding opportunity will also be available in 2026 and 2027.

Eligibility and Review Criteria:

1. Early-stage and established faculty and research staff who are eligible to serve as PI of external grants across Brown University and salaried within the university.
2. Projects should focus on climate and health and lay the foundation for new research, rather than supplement ongoing research and be feasible to complete within 12 months of the start of the award. 
3. Preference will be given to projects that focus on aging-related topics; are interdisciplinary; are solutions-oriented; and/or include a community engagement element.
4. Preference will be given to projects involving at least one early-stage investigator and/or a community partner.

Applications should include:

1. Description of proposed research: Aims, Significance, Approach, and how the findings would contribute to a competitive proposal for external funding (3 pages max).
2. Description of how the proposed activity is distinct from ongoing research (½ page max).
3. Timeline for the pilot work and the external grant submission, and specific targeted external funding source(s) (½ page max).
4. Budgets may include up to 10% (total) salary support for those faculty who are expected to cover at least 30% of their salaries through research grants. Budgets may also include equipment and supplies related to data collection, support for research staff and community partners, and travel costs to present project findings at a national scientific conference. 
5. NIH Biosketches of all investigators involved in the research.

The review group will consist of CHAIRS-C affiliated faculty and a non-CHAIRS-C affiliated faculty member with relevant expertise. Review criteria will be the same as those used to review NIH grants, with particular attention to the extent to which the project aligns with the themes and goals of CHAIRS-C. Release of funds will be contingent upon IRB approval of the project, if applicable. Project leads will be expected to provide a brief semi-annual progress report to the CHAIRS-C Steering Committee and to submit at least one peer-reviewed publication and one grant application directly related to the project within 2 years of completion.