We ask that proposals follow NIH style formatting and include:

- Proposal Summary (1 page maximum) that includes proposal title, names/affiliations, and non-confidential overview of proposed work 

- Title Page that includes proposal title and names/affiliations of key personnel

- Research Plan (3 pages, excluding references) that includes subsections: Significance, Innovation, Approach, Milestones, and Relevance to HUB Innovation Awards Program

- 1-page budget with justification (total amount not to exceed $150,000 in direct and indirect costs over 1 year) – for collaborations involving multiple institutions, only one subaward will be issued to the contact PI’s institution.

- NIH Style Biosketch for all PIs and co-Is (ScienCV format)

- Data management plans in NIH format

Applications should adhere to the following formatting specifications:

- 11-point Arial Font

- 0.5 inch margins on all sides

- Single spaced

- Application packages should be submitted as one file in the order listed above

- Any additional documents required by your institution (e.g. signed letter of intent, letter of support, etc.) should be included at the very end of your proposal document following the data management plan. It is important to note that these documents are not required by HUB for your submission.

- File name should be ContactPILastName_Institution.pdf

Additional information regarding NIH formatting can be found at

https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application‍ ‍

https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application/forms-directory/biographical-sketch-common-form

Award recipients agree to provide a written update detailing research progress and expenditure of funds must be submitted to NIH staff and the HUB eight months after the start of the funding period. Awardees are expected to attend HUB Annual Meetings and present their research findings at the meeting coinciding with the conclusion of their award period.

A mandatory 2-page summary of all work completed during the award period should be submitted to the HUB within 60 days of the funding period’s end. Summaries should include key results and accomplishments, next steps for the project, and an overview of the project’s contribution to the HUB’s mission of advancing biomaterials development and translation. All presentations and publications resulting from work funded by a HUB Innovation Award must acknowledge support from the HUB.

You may be listed on a maximum of 2 proposals (regardless of track) as PI or co-I. You are only allowed to submit one proposal as the contact PI but may be included on another proposal as co-I. Recipients of HUB awards agree to participate in HUB activities, including attendance at the annual meeting, contribution to planning committees, and participation at HUB webinars and workshops. PIs and co-Is must maintain a position at a US institution. Lastly, proposals must include computational tools, emphasize high translational potential, and/or focus on the development of novel biomaterials technologies.

PIs are required to submit IRB/IACUC/IBC approvals should they be selected for funding. Data management plans in NIH format should be addressed, as necessary, in a separate document. Additional information regarding documentation can be found in the FAQs section.

All proposals will undergo a competitive review process and will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Computational Approaches (Track 1)

   • How are computational methods or models employed to support or accelerate biomaterials development?

   • What is the added value of these techniques to the overall project?

2. Translational Potential (Track 2)

   • What unmet clinical need or niche does the proposed project address?

   • How does the project advance the translation and/or commercialization of a biomaterial-related technology?

3. Strength and Synergy of Collaboration (if applicable)

   • What distinct expertise, tools, or resources does each collaborator contribute?

   • How will the collaboration enhance the pace or quality of biomaterials development and translation?

4. Significance and Innovation

   • What is the clinical importance of the proposed application and its urgency for translation?

   • How does the project introduce novel concepts, strategies, or technologies to advance biomaterials research?

5. Scientific and Technical Approach

   • Is the research plan well-conceived, methodologically sound, and feasible within the proposed timeline?

   • Are potential risks identified and addressed?

6. Relevance to HUB Mission

   • How well does the proposed work align with the HUB’s overarching goals of advancing biomaterials innovation, development, and clinical translation?

Final award decisions will be made based on the above criteria, programmatic priorities, and available funding.

An external review committee, representing experts from US institutions, will evaluate submitted proposals and assign scores and critiques. Final funding decisions will be made jointly by HUB and NIH staff based on reviewer scores/feedback, programmatic alignment with HUB and NIH priorities, and availability of funds.

HUB Innovation Awards will be issued as subawards of the Humanity Unlocking Biomaterials (HUB) grant through the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). For collaborative projects at multiple institutions, only one subaward will be issued to the contact PI’s institution – all other institutions should be listed as a line-item in the main budget page.