Sister Institution Network Fund (SINF)
Seeding Research
The Sister Institution Network Fund (SINF) seeds collaborative research between MD Anderson, our Sister Institutions (SI), extensions, and other relationships. This initial support is intended to assist projects that will ultimately compete for funding from external agencies.
Please use The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Influuent System to help identify potential partners.
Considerations:
- All faculty at the ranks of Assistant, Associate, and full Professor are eligible.
- Nurses with faculty appointments or non-faculty nurses with a faculty mentor are eligible to apply.
- Applications including at least one Sister Institution/Cancer Network Partner, Associate, Affiliate or Certified Member/MOU relationship are eligible.
Application Information:
- SINF FY19 Program Guidelines (pdf): Provides information about the SINF program.
- SINF FY19 Application: Required online Submittable application for SINF participants. Applicants will need to create an account.
Forms:
- NIH PHS398 forms (NIH website)
- Biographical Sketch template (docx)
- Specific Aims optional template (pdf)
- Research Plan template (pdf)
- Progress Report template (pdf)
Contact Us:
For more information, please contact us via email at SINF@mdanderson.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I submit my application?
A: Applicants may submit their application online via the Submittable application portal until 11:59 p.m. CST on 2/18/2019. Paper applications mailed or emailed will not be accepted. The link to this application will be available on the SINF site and within the RFA.
Q: Can I submit more than one application?
A: Yes, an applicant may submit multiple applications as long as the proposed research projects are scientifically distinct. If an applicant is currently receiving SINF funding, they are not eligible.
Q: I’m a tenure-track professor- am I eligible to apply?
A: All faculty at the ranks of Assistant, Associate, and full Professor are eligible Nurses with faculty appointments or non-faculty nurses with a faculty mentor are also eligible to apply.
Q: Where is the section on the application where I select my science panel?
A: This year, applicants will select one of three mission areas:
- Population-based screening and prevention in low-resourced environment
- Government\Ministries of Health impact on public health policy
- Institutional mission-imperative collaborative translational research
Q: Is there a limit to the number of applications per institution?
A: MD Anderson does not limit the number of applications per institution. However, each institution may limit the number of applications submitted - please check with the contact person at your institution.
Q: The MD Anderson SINF Application requests a detailed budget. Is a similar budget required for the collaborating institutions?
A: MD Anderson does not require that a budget be submitted from a collaborating institution partner. Each specific institution may require that a budget from their institution is included. If the collaborating institution(s) requires additional inclusion of their forms, then these need to be completed by the investigators at those institutions, and can be included in the submitted application.
Q: Does the Research Plan describe the entire collaborative research program or only what one institution will do?
A: The Research Plan must describe the entire research proposal.
Q: Can the work be different at different institutions?
A: Yes. Ideally, the work should be complementary and connected but the work does not need to be identical at different institutions. A strong reason supporting the need for collaboration should be provided in the application.
Q: How is the application review accomplished?
A: Please refer to the SINF program guidelines, available on this website to learn about the application review process.
Q: I am working on a project that requires IRB approval at multiple sites. Do I have to wait for this approval before I submit my application for SINF funding?
A: It is not necessary to attain IRB approval before submitting the application. However, please indicate the stage of approval(s) at the time you submit the proposal. (Ex. “IRB approval has been requested but not yet approved.”) If funded, research may not begin at a site until all regulatory compliance authorizations have been received by their governing authorities (IRB, etc.).
Q: If we submit an application with more than one collaborating institution, does that affect the size of the SINF grant?
A: No. Each SINF grant is limited to up to $100,000 over two years (up to $50,000 each year) awarded to the MD Anderson applicant, regardless of the number of collaborating partner institutions.
Q: Can an application have multiple PIs at MD Anderson?
A: No. Each application has only one PI per collaborating institution. However, other co-investigators may participate in the study. The PI must submit and electronically sign the application for regulatory purposes.
Q: Is a Consortium Letter necessary for the SINF application?
A: No, it is not required.