RESEARCH

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation seeks novel ideas from every scientific discipline as part of its new grantmaking initiative. Grand Challenges Explorations is an accelerated approach to grantmaking. The Foundation requires only a short, two-page application, and no preliminary data. The first round of proposals will be accepted through May 30, 2008. Please visit: http://www.gcgh.org/explorations for topics and complete application details.

The American Heart Association announces its July 2008 deadlines. The National Research Program, the Midwest and Pacific Mountain Affiliates offer the Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships, Clinical Research Program, Scientist Development Grant, Beginning Grant-in-Aid, Grant-in-Aid and Established Investigator Award funding opportunities. Forms and Instructions will be available soon. Program information is available on the American Heart Association Web site: http://www.my.americanheart.org, click on the Research Awards tab.

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) awards a maximum of $300,000 per grant over three years for tinnitus-related research. A student grant offers up to $10,000 for one year to doctoral students and medical residents. Download an application today, or learn more about these grants on ATA's Web site at: http://www.ata.org/.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Education invites proposals to develop, pilot, and administer the Endeavor Science Teachers Certificate Program (ESTCP), a competitive, high-quality, national program for pre/in-service teachers. The Endeavor Science Teachers Certificate Program will provide one (1) year fellowships, and unique education and technical experiences leading to teacher certification centered on NASA unique science and mathematics content.

Electronically submitted Notices of Intent to propose are requested by May 9, 2008. Proposal due date is June 17, 2008. Questions may be directed to Dr. Bernice Alston, Office of Education, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001. E-mail: bernice.alston-1@nasa.gov.

Formerly called the “Case Faculty and Sponsored Research Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form,” the annual form required of all faculty members and investigators on sponsored research is now called the “Case Faculty and Sponsored Research Significant Financial Interests Report.” This takes the onus of deciding what constitutes a “conflict of interest” away from the faculty member/investigator who is reporting, as that responsibility rests with the Conflict of Interest Committee(COIC). “Reporting” of confidential information is an internal process, while “disclosure” of that information, usually with some sensitive details removed, may be public (on publications, or to prospective research participants, for example). Your School will be sending out requests for the annual SFI Report in the near future. For further information, please see the Case COI website: http://ora.ra.cwru.edu/research/orc/coi/index.cfm. Or, contact the COI Administrator: maureen.landies@case.edu.

June 30, 2008 is the end of Case Western Reserve University's fiscal year. The Controller’s Office has issued the year-end closing schedule. Each department plays a critical role in ensuring that all financial transactions for the fiscal year are properly accounted for. Please follow the link below for important information and fiscal year-end closing dates. http://www.case.edu/finadmin/controller/pdf/closing_memo_2008.pdf