Letter of Intent (LOI) Guidelines
Independent Research Awards
The Children’s Heart Foundation's 2024 Request for Applications (RFA) for Independent Research Awards opened on April 12, 2024.
This award mechanism is used to fund the most promising research that will advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects. For further details about what constitutes mission aligned research and a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs), please see the following webpage: Independent Grant FAQs.
2024 Process and Schedule
Researchers seeking funding for either RFA must submit an initial Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOIs for Independent Research Awards are due on May 22, 2024. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application no later than June 14, 2024.
Award Amount
- Independent Research Awards
- Up to $150,000 per year for two (2) years.
The Children’s Heart Foundation recognizes disparities based on race, ethnicity and gender exist in all areas of healthcare. For patients with congenital heart disease, it is well-known that certain racial and ethnic groups have worse outcomes. Among researchers, underrepresented minorities face additional challenges in obtaining research funding. These are important issues for the Children's Heart Foundation. Starting this year, we will begin collecting data on gender, race, and ethnicity for investigators who apply for research funding, as a part of our larger efforts to help address these disparities. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented minority investigators and/or applications that focus on investigating disparities in patients with congenital heart disease.
All applicants for the Independent Research Awards must submit an LOI through our online application portal: https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp?GMID=273
Key Dates
- April 12, 2024 – Independent Call for Research Proposals opens
- May 22, 2024 – Letter of Intent due by 5:00pm CST
- June 14, 2024 – Applicants notified as to whether or not they may submit a full application
- September 11, 2024 – Full Application (invite only) due by 5:00pm CST
- December 16, 2024 – Applicants notified as to a decision regarding funding
- January 2025 – Funds released for awardees
Directions
LOIs should be single-spaced and formatted in 11-point font with 1-inch margins. All applicants will first submit an LOI that will be reviewed and scored by the Foundation’s Research Leadership Committee, which consists of selected members of our Medical Advisory Council and several lay members.
Applicants will be notified via email as to whether or not they are invited to submit a full application. For those invited to submit a full application, the due date will be September 11, 2024.
The LOI itself is limited to two (2) pages maximum. Areas of research in congenital heart disease include clinical, translational, population, behavioral, bioengineering, biotechnology, or public health.
LOIs should be no more than two pages and must include:
1. Identifiers
- Title of project
- Name, address, email, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator(s)*
- Names, titles, and institution of other key personnel – ex. mentors
- List of participating institution(s)
2. Research Project
- Scientific summary, including key details, such as a brief background and rationale (i.e., what is known and what is unknown), primary aims, summary of methods and data sources.
- Indicate whether the project will be basic science, translational, or clinical (or some combination thereof).
- Anticipated impact and prospects for future funding sources.
- References
*The PI (only) should also submit his/her NIH bio-sketch (not counted in the 2-page LOI limit).
Need help or assistance using Proposal Central? Their help center information is below:
- 8:30am - 5:00pm Eastern Time (Monday through Friday)
- by phone (toll-free): 800 875 2562 (Toll-free U.S. and Canada) by or +1 703-964-5840 (Direct Dial International)
- by email: pcsupport@altum.com
