Applications will be evaluated for fit with the CIMIT mission, and

General Review Criteria:

• Programmatic fit within an existing CIMIT program area, in the gaps between program areas or expand into a new area within the CIMIT Mission
• Collaborative nature of the project (multidisciplinary/ inter-institutional)
• High likelihood of rapid impact on patient care, with plans that  include early “prove-out” milestones.
• Other established funding mechanisms are not appropriate or available as a funding source and CIMIT support (including facilitation support) is essential to its success.
• Potential exit strategies for the project including future alternative funding sources, contacts with companies, licensing and venturing opportunities.

Specific Review Criteria:

• Established expertise in a medical or technical area
• An explicit plan for acquiring knowledge in a second area
• Explanation of how that new knowledge will permit unique interdisciplinary contributions to medical device development or clinical practice.
• An identified mentor with expertise in the new area
• A curriculum jointly developed by the applicant and mentor to complete the curriculum by devoting the requested % FTE over a 1-year period
• Next-stage development direction

Applications for these grant categories require an approved pre-proposal, as described above, and must be received by March 16, 2008.  Expert peers on a confidential basis will review all Science and CSI full proposal applications.  Two panels will review each application (except for Small Science Grants):  first a panel selected by the US Army (which supports CIMIT), and then a CIMIT peer review panel.  The Army panel will be chosen by the Army for their expertise in CIMIT mission areas.  Steven Schachter, MD, will chair the CIMIT Science review panel and Ronald Newbower, PhD, will chair the CSI review panel.   Additional expert reviews may also be solicited.

Science and CSI applicants will be informed of review decisions by May 4, 2008.  Applications which are not selected for funding will either be rejected or returned to the applicant with the suggestion that the work be recast as a Career Development (CDA) or Other Grants, as described below, and submitted for the June 1, 2008 review process.