2025 SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant

SynthX Center (SynthX) at Rice University (Rice) and the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (DLDCCC) at the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) announce a call for SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant applications. Scientific disciplines covered by the applications can range across a spectrum within the biomedical sciences. It is recommended that submissions are tailored to both experts in the submission’s area of research as well as scientists with expertise in other disciplines within the biomedical sciences. All teams wishing to compete must submit a proposal according to the requirements and guidelines set forth below. Submit your seed grant proposal to synthx@rice.edu.

Seed Grant Structure

Each selected proposal will receive a SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant according to the structure depicted in the table below AND depending on the PIs' affiliations. If the SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant leads to the award of additional grants within two years of receiving the original SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant, the team will be eligible for further conditional incentives.

Note:

1. If the new Grant's PI is solely affiliated with Rice, funding will be provided exclusively by Rice.
2. If the new Grant's PI is solely affiliated with BCM, funding will be provided exclusively by BCM.
3. If the new Grant has PIs from both Rice & BCM, funding will be jointly provided by both institutions.

Proposal Timeline

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria include originality and quality of the proposed research, anticipated level of impact of the work proposed, novelty and interdisciplinary nature of the collaboration, strategy for integration of the team, and potential for long-term sustainability from competitive funding sources. The final funding decision will be made by SynthX/DLDCCC review committee.

Team Eligibility

Eligible teams must satisfy all of the following criteria:

1. Teams must include at least one PI from the Rice SynthX Center and at least one PI from the Duncan Cancer Center.
2. Limit one proposal per person: faculty can be either PI or co-PI on only one proposal.
3. PIs who receive the seed fund are not eligible to receive another seed fund within 2 years.
4. Projects requiring Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval will not receive funding until the approval is received.

Full Proposal Guidelines

All proposals should be single-spaced with 1-inch square margins, a minimum 11 pt font (including figure captions) and contain the following sections:

1. COVER PAGE (1 page): Proposal title, names of all faculty, their department(s), their institutional affiliation(s), their administrative contact(s), and the contact information for 3 potential reviewers.
2. SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACT: One-paragraph scientific abstract (limit 400 words) providing:
   1. A clear description of the research area(s) that will be the focus of the application;
   2. The planned cross-disciplinary approach; and
   3. The specific objective of the project.
3. LAY ABSTRACT: One-paragraph lay abstract (limit 200 words) describing the proposal in terms accessible to a non-scientist usable in press releases and communications to the community at large.
4. RESEARCH PLAN (2 pages): Maximum of two (2) pages for the (a-d) required elements, including illustrations and tables:
   1. Specific Aims
   2. Background and Significance
   3. Preliminary Studies/Rationale
   4. Research Design and Methods (including a timetable and milestones for the 2-year project period)
   5. References (not included in the page limit)
5. COLLABORATIVE INTERACTIONS AND FUTURE PLANS: One-page summary describing:
   1. How the project represents a new collaborative research initiative;
   2. The team’s planned cross-disciplinary approach;
   3. The perceived novelty and impact of the proposed collaborative research; and
   4. Plan(s) for seeking external funding to continue the proposed work.
6. BIOSKETCHES (no page limit): Provide a biosketch (NIH format) for each faculty member. Place the principal investigator(s) biosketches first.
7. BUDGET: Each team should submit a preliminary budget and justification, but this information is only to be used for review purposes. Budgets will be finalized upon notice of award in compliance with the investigators' home institutions.

General Budget Guidelines

• Budget covers both years of award (i.e., you do not need to separate Year 1 from Year 2).
• Funds may be used for
  • Supplies
  • Equipment (up to $5,000)
  • Travel (up to $2,000)
  • Stipends
  • Research staff salaries (graduate students, postdoctoral associates, technical staff, non-tenure track research faculty)

Note: Equipment purchases should be limited to $5,000 unless the equipment is absolutely necessary to meet the aims presented. Justification should be provided.

• Not Allowed Costs:
  • Indirect (F/A) costs
  • Salary for the PI and/or co-investigators
  • Tuition remission
• Maximum original budget if the proposal's PIs are from both institutions is $30,000 for the duration of two (2) years.
• Under exceptional circumstances, a 6-month no-cost extension may be requested with justification (maximum original budget remains).
• If significant progress is not demonstrated by the end of the second year after review, then unused funds must be returned to the program.
• If, during the proposal or award period, the status of a faculty member or collaboration changes, the PI(s) must immediately notify us at synthx@rice.edu

Post-Award Requirements

1. Reports: SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant recipients are required to submit a mid-term progress report (Year 1) and a final report to SynthX and DLDCCC (Year 2). Annual summary (e.g., new publication, grants, and others) may be requested for up to five (5) years post-award.
2. Proposal Reviewer: SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant recipients are required to participate in the subsequent years’ review processed, as needed.
3. Other Requirements: SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant recipients may be expected to present their research outcomes to SynthX, DLDCCC, or other interested parties and to provide additional information as requested. This information would include a summary of the project as well as impact of the research within the larger community, such as the annual SynthX/DLDCCC Retreat.

Acknowledgements:

SynthX Center and DLDCCC must be acknowledged in all publications or presentations associated with or arising from the original SynthX/DLDCCC Seed Grant.