Bioengineering Research, Innovation and Technology Education (BRITE) Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Bioengineering Research, Innovation and Technology Education (BRITE) Program is designed to foster the development of undergraduate freshmen and sophomores to pursue further studies and careers in bioengineering, biomedical imaging or other STEM fields relevant to NIBIB’s scientific mission. Applications are encouraged to propose integrated educational activities that include three elements: 1) a summer bridge program for incoming freshmen, and 2) in the freshman and sophomore years, educational activities during the academic year, and 3) summer research experiences. The BRITE program is intended to expose students to bioengineering and biomedical imaging and provide research, innovation and entrepreneurship training early in their college careers by incorporating didactic, experiential, mentoring and career development opportunities. Student participants will receive support for the first two years of their undergraduate training. To enhance capacity for rigorous bioengineering training, this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will support programs at baccalaureate degree granting institutions with modest levels of NIH research project grant funding. The ultimate goal is for participants to pursue a doctoral degree or a subsequent research career in bioengineering, biomedical imaging or other NIBIB-relevant field that will in turn have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation.

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field? (2) Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? (3) Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or method? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies? (4) Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)? (5) Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? (6) the appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research; (7) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives; (8) the adequacy of plans to include both...