CIMIT Strategic Project Awards
Areas of Research Considered
Evaluation Criteria
Selection of Finalists
Final Selection & Award
The CIMIT Strategic Project Award (CSP) is a new CIMIT grant providing $700,000 each year for three years to one multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team. This is a major commitment by CIMIT, whose grants are generally limited to one year and between $40,000 - $100,000.
A peer review team of external and internal experts will review, evaluate and recommend one project for award. The goal is to select one area where a concentrated effort and commitment of funds can help accelerate and advance progress to the next major milestone. The CIMIT Director will make the final decision.
In addition to the financial commitment for $2.1 million, CIMIT will add a full complement of facilitation expertise to help the project succeed.
Four areas of research were identified by CIMIT Leadership (program leaders and site miners) as central to the CIMIT mission:
Medical Simulation
Surgical Skills Training: Inanimate models, animals, simulation, or real patientsPoint-of-care Diagnostic and Treatment Systems
Expand the range of clinical scenarios and environmentsTrans-lumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)
Novel endoscopic interventions and surgeryTraumatic Brain Injury
Basic understanding of injury, advanced clinical care and new techniques for diagnosis and treatment
CIMIT received 27 pre-proposals in response to the Strategic Project RFP. By the October 8 deadline, each of the four research areas had at least 5 pre-proposals, reflecting the richness of ideas and the passion to innovate present in our research community.
CIMIT Evaluation Criteria:
Pre-proposals were limited to two pages: Title, Key Investigators/Affiliations and a one page Abstract. Evaluation criteria included:
- Innovation: novelty of the technology, or new medical application of existing technology
- Quality of the proposal: experimental design, animal models (if any), test methods and analytical techniques
- Collaborative nature of the project including quality and completeness of the team
- Impact on patient care
- Appropriateness of budget
- Potential for intellectual property
- Potential for commercialization: alternative funding sources, contacts with companies, licensing and venturing opportunities
Selection of Finalists
Three (3) proposals have been qualified to compete for the CIMIT Strategic Project. Each represents the “best” proposal of all submitted in that area.
| Category | Proposal |
| Point-of-care Diagnostic and Treatment Systems | A label-free viral detection microchip for point of care applications. Mehmet Toner, PhD - MGH William R. Rodrigues, MD – MGH/BWH Scott Manalis, PhD - MIT Michael Roukes, PhD – California Institute of Technology |
| Trans-lumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) | NOTES Platform and Procedural Development David W. Rattner, MD – MGH William Brugge, MD – MGH Christopher Morse, MD – MGH Christopher C. Thompson, MD – BWH Richard Rothstein, MD – Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Marvin Ryou MD – BWH Jeffery Lang, PhD – MIT |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Development and Clinical Evaluation of Novel Approaches to Managing Traumatic Brain Injury in the Acute and Chronic Phase Ross Zafonte, DO – Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Martha Shenton, PhD – BWH Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD – BIDMC Hasan B. Alam, MD – MGH |
Simulation. Although six (6) pre-proposals were submitted in the Simulation category, none met the threshold criteria to qualify as a CIMIT Strategic Project, and therefore no pre-proposal has been invited to compete in the final round. Many of the pre-proposals in this area were novel and interesting, yet the specific aims of most were defined too narrowly.
Final Selection & Award
A peer-review panel of internal and external experts will review and evaluate the three finalists using the following review criteria:
| Evaluation Criteria | Weight |
| Overall Goals and Background - Background (Clear statements of the underlying assumptions (hypotheses) and how they will be evaluated and validated.) - Novelty of overall approach (Include comparisons to existing solutions and work of other groups.) - Anticipated clinical benefits, and the probability of clinical adoption, if the project is concluded successfully |
20% |
| Preliminary studies |
10% |
| A well constructed work plan - Specific aims - Approach - Metrics - Schedules |
30% |
| Leadership & Team Capabilities - Strength & relevant background of the PI - Strength & background of the team - Collaborative nature of the project (inter-disciplinary/-institutional) - CIMIT track record of previously CIMIT-funded applicants |
15% |
Technology Transfer/Commercialization |
10% |
| Fit with CIMIT - Likely benefits to CIMIT Stakeholders (hospitals, Department of Defense) - Project does not fit for another established funding mechanism - Ways in which CIMIT can provide facilitation support, in addition to funding |
15% |