(updated 01.13.2010)
CBC Grants OVERVIEW
The Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC), launched with impetus and support from The
Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, aims to stimulate collaborative research
and training in the field of Systems Biology among scientists at the University of Chicago (UChicago),
Northwestern University (NU) and the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC).
The CBC has the mission of transforming the conduct of biomedical research and education in
the Chicago area in order to promote and enable scientific research of the highest order. It
is grounded in the belief that the combined intellectual power of the researchers, educators,
and staff of the member institutions must be harnessed to fulfill a vision for Chicago to become
a national and international leader in the biomedical sciences.
The CBC program will be implemented in two five-year phases. During the first phase (2006-2010) the
CBC will establish an infrastructure to support collaborative research and education through
state-of-the-art technology, communication networks, and administration; provide Catalyst awards
("RFA: Catalyst") to stimulate
and facilitate research and education collaborations; administer Spark Awards to advance multi-institutional
collaborations of exceptional creativity ("RFA: Spark");
use Lever awards ("RFA: Lever")
to increase the competitive edge of large-scale CBC applications to national agencies and foundations; support
the expansion of scientific leadership in proteomics and informatics at the CBC universities; and by the
cumulative impact of its programs, promote the development of Chicago’s biomedical industry. The CBC’s intent
is to leverage its resources many times over.
Awards' Highlights:
Catalyst Awards
One-time incentive awards, with no expectation of continuation or renewal, made to teams with principals
and other strong representation from at least two of the CBC institutions. Overall funding for Catalyst
Awards in 2010 is expected to be approximately $1,200,000.
Spark Awards
One-time awards without no-cost extension or renewal, intended to advance multi-institutional collaborations
of exceptional creativity. Spark awards are made to teams with Principal Investigators from at least two of the
CBC universities. A typical Spark Award is expected to be approximately $300,000 for 1 year with maximum permitted
of $400,000 for use over 2 years.
Lever Awards
Matching funds available to teams with at least one principal from each of the three of the CBC institutions. A collaborative
application requesting federal funding of around $10 million or more would be supported by a statement of
commitment from the CBC to provide up to $3 million additional funding (up to $1 million per year for 3 years)
toward the collaboration. Payment of the CBC Lever award would be conditional on approval of the grant by the
federal agency.