BHRI_RFP_Fall2026_FINAL

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Advancing Brain Health Through Research & Collaboration

The Brain Health Research Institute brings together experts across disciplines to advance understanding of brain function in health, disease, and recovery. The mission of BHRI is to support basic and translational research on brain biology, disease mechanisms, and behavioral processes that drive health across the lifespan.

 

Request for Proposals: BLUE AWARDS Fall 2026

To promote innovative research, new research collaborations, and the submission of new external grant applications that align with the BHRI mission, we are pleased to announce the availability of 1-2 Blue Awards of up to $20,000 each for FALL 2026.

All materials must be submitted via email no later than 5:00 PM, Thursday, October 15, 2026, to Mary Koch at mekoch@kent.edu.

 

Who is eligible?

                        BHRI Affiliates/Members who hold a primary appointment as KSU faculty

 

  • BHRI affiliation is free and can be completed prior to submission here: https://www.kent.edu/brainhealth/affiliates
  • Projects which involve inter-institutional collaboration are welcome but must include one PI with a primary KSU faculty appointment.

 

Submission & Evaluation Process

Review Criteria & Process:

Reviews for this cycle will be based on two priority domains (see below). Both will be scored for all applications so we can ensure that high quality science is funded and individuals who meet criteria for #2 will have higher priority status.

  1. Potential to support a large-scale extramural funding proposal (>100K) submitted within 2-3 years.
    • Scientific significance & innovation.
      • Clear timeline and plan for extramural grant seeking, including relevance to current federal funding/foundation priorities.
  2. Junior faculty status/No prior significant extramural funding.
    • Can include senior Co-Investigator to serve as collaborator/mentor.

 

Reviews are completed by a selected sub-committee of faculty with relevant expertise. 

  • All proposals will be reviewed by three faculty, with one lead reviewer, and reviewed considering both priority domains equally. 
    • Proposals in the upper half of the distribution of overall scores will be discussed in a group meeting held by the BHRI Director and faculty reviewers to achieve consensus on funding designations. 
    • All funding decisions can be expected by 12/15/26, with funds disbursed beginning on 1/15/27.

 

Submission Guidelines:

Blue award proposals must include the following eight elements:

  1. Cover Letter:
    1. Includes Title, Investigator(s) name, KSU departmental affiliation, Total budget request and overall timeline.
    2. Recommendations for 3 BHRI-affiliated reviewers.
    3. Requests to exclude any reviewers.
  2. Project Description: 
    1. Maximum of 5 single-spaced pages (Arial 11pt; 1” margin)
    2. Includes the following components:
      1. Scientific Aims
      2. Significance
      3. Innovation
      4. Approach
      5. Timeline (12 months max with possibility of 6-month extension)
    3. Please rely on NIH guidance: https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application/advice-on-application-sections#research-strategy
  3. Timeline & Plan for Extramural Grant Seeking (1 page total)
    1. Detailed plan for grant seeking based on proposed project including specific funding program targeted, timeline to submission, etc.
    2. Prior conversation with program officials is strongly recommended.
    3. Confirmation that this grant is not currently under consideration for funding elsewhere.
  4. Outcomes from Current -or- Prior BHRI funding (1 page total)
    1. Please specify how it contributed to extramural grant seeking (provide dates, agency and outcomes).
    2. Specify peer-reviewed research products including publications and presentations.
  5. Budget and Budget Justification (1-2 pages)
    1. Maximum budget is $20,000 per project.
      1. Can include salary for student/staff researchers, but PI time is not permitted.
    2. Please provide a narrative justification for each line item.
    3. Please specify resources that will be used that are pre-existing (in kind)
  6. Key Investigator CV (PI + CoIs) 
    1. Please use the current SciENcv framework, using either NIH or NSF biosketch formats (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/).
  7. Letters of Support (as needed)
    1. Include letters from collaborators, Chairs/Directors etc. as needed to demonstrate the support for access or resources that the investigators do not already have. 
    2. Note, if planning to rely on BHRI facilities – all BHRI procedures must be followed including holding a brief consultation with BHRI Assistant Directors in advance of proposal submission
      1. Dr. Aleisha Moore for the neuroimaging facility (amoor149@kent.edu)
      2. Dr. Kathleen Casto for the neurocognitive facility (kcasto6@kent.edu)
  8. References (APA or AMA format, no page limit)

 

Pre-submission Proposal Guidance:

The BHRI Director, Dr. Karin Coifman, will be holding two workshops to answer questions and support faculty submissions to this call. RSVP to Mary Koch mekoch@kent.edu

ISB Lower-level Lobby (070)

Post-Award Processes

  • All funding decisions for this call can be expected by 12/15/26, with funds disbursed beginning on 1/15/27.
    • No funding is disbursed until institutional approvals are received (IRB/IACUC/IBC).
    • Projects are 12 months in duration. However, a 6-month extension can be requested in writing by month 11.
    • Initial Pilot Grant Reports are due within 3 months of the grant period closure. These will include the following components:
      • Complete financial reporting (and plans for remaining funds).
      • Summary of progress on scientific aims.
      • Summary of research products (papers, presentations).
      • Summary of personnel activities etc.
      • Timeline to extramural grant submission.
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