Work With Us
Key Dates
2019
October 15
Online application portal opens for pre-proposal submission
2020
January 8
Pre-proposal deadline
March 4
Earliest notification of invitation to submit full proposals
May 6
Full proposal deadline
July 22
Earliest notification of invitation to interview
August 3-7
Finalist virtual interviews held
August 24-28
Final decision out to applicants
October 2020
Anticipated funding available
At a glance: what you need to know about working with us.
Download FAQsFrequently Asked Questions
About ASAP
What is the ASAP Initiative?
ASAP is a disease-focused, basic research program that will address key knowledge gaps to accelerate the pace of discovery for PD. The ASAP initiative was created by the Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy with the support of the Sergey Brin Family Foundation.
Eligibility
Are institutions outside of the U.S. able to apply for funding?
Yes, international researchers from across organization types (e.g., non-profit, for-profit, private, academic) are eligible to apply. We accept applications from all countries and consider them equally to U.S.-based researchers.
Are private biotech/pharmaceutical companies eligible to apply for funding?
For-profit entities are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Scope
Are clinical studies in scope?
This funding opportunity focuses on fundamental disease biology, and as such, clinical studies are out-of-scope for this RFA.
Will future RFAs focus on development or characterization of patient cohorts or early discovery work?
The next callout, which will be launched in fall 2020, will focus on circuitry and brain-body interactions. The themes for additional funding callouts have not been identified yet. Information on current and future funding will be posted on our website. You can also sign up here to our email list to receive notifications when new funding opportunities are announced.
Will future RFAs focus on development or characterization of patient cohorts or early discovery work?
The next callout, which will be launched in fall 2020, will focus on circuitry and brain-body interactions. The themes for additional funding callouts have not been identified yet. Information on current and future funding will be posted on our website. You can also sign up here to our email list to receive notifications when new funding opportunities are announced.
Team Makeup
What is the team structure?
Key Personnel for each Team must consist of a minimum of three to maximum of five Principal Investigators. A Coordinating Lead Principal Investigator must be appointed for each Team, and an additional two (minimum) to four (maximum) Co-Investigators are required.
What does it mean to be the Coordinating Lead Principal Investigator?
The Coordinating Lead Principal Investigator is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the proposed research project, contractual and financial obligations, and other organizational assurances/certifications. This person must ensure that the Key Personnel comply with the terms and conditions of the award and will be the primary contact person for ASAP scientific review as well as MJFF grants administration staff. The Coordinating Lead PI must be affiliated with the institution submitting the application.
Do I have to be affiliated with an institution if I am the Coordinating Lead Principal Investigator?
The Coordinating Lead Principal Investigator must be affiliated with the institution submitting the application and grant funds will be awarded to that institution, which will take responsibility for distributing funds to the institutions of the other members of the collaboration.
What are the specific requirements for the Key Personnel?
We require the Key Personnel for each Team to consist of at least one early-career investigator (within one to seven years of their first academic appointment) in the position of Co-Investigator, and for there to be at least two different disciplines represented on each Team.
Can a researcher be named as co-investigator to more than one pre-proposal?
Yes, researchers can be named to more than one pre-proposal submission. Please note, key personnel are expected to allocate 25% time and effort to each project. If a researcher is co-investigator on more than one selected project, that time and effort minimum stands for each study.
Is the Team required to have a Project Manager?
The Coordinating Lead Principal Investigator is required to budget for a Project Manager, whom should be named at the full proposal stage. This person would assist with the day-to-day coordination of all Team efforts to consistently maintain a high level of functionality and communication.
Submission
Should a budget be included at the pre-proposal stage?
No, a detailed budget is not required at the pre-proposal stage. Please submit the ASAP Collaborative Research Network pre-proposal template and fill out the online application form to complete your pre-proposal submission.
How many proposals are submitted versus how many make it to the full proposal and funding stages?
We have no target number of teams to fund. Our decisions will be based entirely on the quality of the teams and their proposals.
Can my proposal be submitted in a language other than English?
No. Pre-proposals and full proposals must be in English.
Are applications treated confidentially?
Yes, all internal and external application reviewers are under a confidential disclosure agreement, and all information is treated as strictly confidential.
Is the pre-proposal template mandatory?
Yes, pre-proposals not submitted in our template format will not be reviewed.
Policies
What is the indirect costs policy?
All entities may apply a rate of up to 15 percent. Total costs are inclusive of the 15 percent indirect cost rate for all entities.
What is your open access data policy?
All data resulting from the funded work will be made available to the scientific community at large at the earliest opportunity on preprint servers, online protocol platform, and in an open-access journal format. Please see the example from the Gates Foundation publication policy: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/How-We-Work/General- Information/Open-Access-Policy.