Merkin Translational Research Grants

The Merkin Institute for Translational Research is announcing its annual request for applications funding of up to $400K in total direct costs to be spent flexibly over a period of two years. Merkin Translational Research Grants (TRG) fund translational projects ranging from early-stage invention and discovery to clinical testing or early commercialization.

The goal of the Merkin Institute is to support and accelerate translation of Caltech research to improve health and treat disease. Priority will be given to projects with high translational impact where support can make a significant catalytic difference.

The spectrum of TRG interests is defined by the aspirations and work of the Caltech research community and includes work on medical devices, biomedical computation and data mining, behavior, as well as biology and chemistry that results in new drugs, therapies, biomaterials, devices, vaccines, and diagnostics.

The budget is expected to be appropriate for the project. The timeline of spending over two years will be flexible and should be driven by the needs of your project.

Eligibility:

• The program is open to all Caltech Professors and Research Professors. 
• Multi-faculty collaborative projects are welcome, but you must identify a lead-PI for grant purposes.
• Research requiring IRB, IACUC, IBC approvals or MTAs can commence only after the approvals (or exemptions, as applicable) are obtained.
• Please email any questions you have regarding whether a project falls within the scope of the call or other issues to gtolomic@caltech.edu (George Tolomiczenko, ED, Merkin Institute).

The tentative submission deadline for the next round of funding is mid-May, 2025. Inquiries before then are welcome. Please reach out to George Tolomiczenko (gtolomic@caltech.edu) if you have questions about the program or the application process.

Grant application format: (NOTE: We will only consider applications that follow the format below. All items are required.)

1. An application cover page with the proposal title, the PI(s), a summary statement outlining project goals; a specific statement outlining the envisioned translational path; and the projected impact on human health.
2. The Research Plan of up to 4 pages, including specific aims, background, research plan and figures.
3. A budget page with salaries, supplies, charges for CROs etc. Sub-awards should be listed if planned. Give succinct justifications and the anticipated spending cadence. Discuss any other funding in place, pending or anticipated.
4. A signed Division Approval Form.

The following criteria will be considered in the selection process:

• Overall scientific strength of the project.
• The research team, including any external collaborators or partners (Academic, Contract Research Organization (CRO), Biotech, other).
• Translational impact.
• The current plan to achieve translation into the clinic or other appropriate venue.
• The rationale for TRG funding at this stage of translation.

Proposal submission:

Attach your full proposal (in pdf format) to an email and send it to this Box address: TRG_Fal.wjxz88gwzukan52d@u.box.com. This will automatically deposit the attached proposal in the submission folder. You will receive an automated confirmation of receipt. If you do not receive the expected automated confirmation, report that failure in an email George Tolomiczenko (gtolomic@caltech.edu), attaching your application pdf to the message.

Name your attached proposal file as follows: TRG_SubN_Last Name_First Name. For example, the second (corrected or updated) proposal submitted from Groucho Marx would be named "TRG_Sub2_Marx_Groucho" His first submission would have been "TRG_Sub1_Marx_Groucho"

The tentative submission deadline for the next round of funding is mid-May, 2025