To encourage use of the Core in its first year, the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) is offering up to five $5,000 awards to be used towards BTC services. This initiative is supported by the CNLM’s donor-funded High Impact Research Program. The purpose of the awards is to support UCI investigators who have limited or no behavioral testing capabilities in their lab and would like to apply for grants that involve behavioral testing. Investigators are strongly encouraged to connect with Dr. Lotfipour or CNLM director Dr. Michael Yassa before applying to ensure that this program meets their goals and secure guidance on strategies for grant funding. The BTC will provide written materials to aid in grant preparation.
- Eligibility: Voucher support is intended for the use of core facilities and services, not for the purchase of supplies or animals. It will not be transferred to the PI’s account, but serve as an “hour bank” that can be charged against for services.
- Expiration: Vouchers expire one calendar year after being awarded.
- IACUC Approval: The PI must obtain IACUC approval. Standard behavioral tasks can reference the UCI BTC protocol (AUP-24-001) and locations (Bio Sci 3, room B510). Any modifications must be reflected in the PI’s IACUC protocol.
- Facility: Separate B-level facility space for rats and mice is available in the Bio Sci 3 vivarium to enable easy access to the BTC.
- Acknowledgement: Awardees must acknowledge the use of the UCI Behavioral Testing Core and the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory in any resulting posters or manuscripts.
Applications will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee and will be evaluated based on significance, innovation, and likelihood that the pilot data generated will result in additional grant funding that will leverage the core resources.
All applications must be submitted by Friday, December 13, 2024. Application packets should be a single PDF including the following components.
- PI NIH biosketch. If MPI proposal, please include all biosketches.
- A short project proposal (2 pages max including references) with the following components:
- Significance and innovation of the proposed work.
- Specific behavioral experiments required and any assistance needed from core staff for experimental design, implementation, and analysis.
- Overall timeline for the experiments proposed.
- Specific grant opportunities that the proposed behavioral experiments will support.
Contact: Any questions about the BTC capabilities can be addressed to Dr. Brian Timmerman. Questions about the seed funding award process can be directed to Dr. Shahrdad Lotfipour or Dr. Michael Yassa.
