Biomedical Engineering, Imaging, and Technology Acceleration (BEITA) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications to enhance bioengineering and imaging research capacity, technology innovation, education and research training, and opportunities for scientific growth at Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs). The planned NOFO aligns with the HBCU PARTNERS Act (Public Law 116-270) and Executive Order 14283, which seek to strengthen capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs; align HBCUs with educational and economic competitiveness priorities of the United States; encourage HBCU participation and competitiveness for Federal research and development funding through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements; and foster public-private partnerships to promote centers of academic research and program excellence at HBCUs. Applications are not being solicited at this time. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the UG3/UH3 activity code. HBCUs, defined as institutions listed in 34 C.F.R. § 608.2, will be eligible to apply. Investigators with expertise in bioengineering, biomedical imaging, and technology development are encouraged to consider applying for this NOFO. Collaborative investigations combining expertise in bioengineering, imaging, and technology development with disease- or discipline-specific expertise in other areas of biomedical investigation will also be encouraged.

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...