Internal Grants
The Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute (OBI) offers a variety of grant programs to support researchers at all levels.
Sprouts Grant Program
Applications are open. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2024.
Sprouts grants facilitate the collection of pilot data exploring new directions that are not easily covered by other funding sources. Funding is intended to encourage creative, high-quality research that also advances the training of young laboratory or clinical scientists and enhances the portfolio of OBI research.
Who is eligible? These awards are primarily aimed at supporting new ideas from trainees working with OBI Investigators. The applicant must be a trainee working under the supervision of an OBI Investigator (e.g., a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, resident, or clinical fellow.)
What areas of research are being considered? All brain-related research areas are eligible, including both laboratory and clinical research. Preference will be given to proposals in the following areas:
- Cell and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease
- Delineation and/or modulation of normal and disease-altered brain circuits
What is the level of support? We will award up to four grants annually subject to availability of funds. The maximum total funding per project is up to $25,000.
See full details about eligibility and how to apply.
Research Interest Group Program
Who is eligible? The lead applicant must be an approved OBI Investigator or Member. Group members can be from any UT Southwestern department.
What can the funds be used for? The awards will support researchers to organize and hold networking events, focused workshops, or to host an outside speaker. Funds can also be used for refreshments.
What type of groups can apply? The content and agenda of the research interest group should reflect the OBI mission for transdisciplinary research and involve faculty from at least two UT Southwestern departments (preferably more).
See full details on the program and how to apply.
Applications are accepted year-round.
2024 Research Interest Groups
Autism
Administrator: Susan Hayes
PI: Maria Chahrour, Ph.D.
Circadian Rhythm and Sleep
Administrator: Shelley Dixon
PI: Joseph Takahashi, Ph.D.
Dopamine
Administrator: Benjamin Fields
PI: Daisuke Hattori, Ph.D.
Neuron-glia Interaction
Administrator: Thomas Crone
PI: Lu Sun, Ph.D.
Somatosensory and Pain Interest Cluster of Excellence (SPICE)
Administrator: Ashlyn Strength
PI: Helen Lai, Ph.D.
Stroke and Brain Injury
Administrator: Marion Loup
PI: Yingfei Wang, Ph.D.
Neurology and Psychiatry
Administrator: Alicia Gill
PI: Steven Vernino, M.D., Ph.D.
Movement Disorders and Cerebellum
Administrator: Jackie Lemons
PI: Vikram Shakkottai, M.D., Ph.D.
If you are a UT Southwestern researcher and would like to join an existing interest group, please contact the group administrator for more information.
Visionary Neuroscience Program (VNP)
The VNP grant supports highly innovative new research that because of its novelty and risk profile is not suitable for NIH funding. Maximum funding per project is up to $500,000.
Who is eligible?
Research projects must feature approved OBI Investigators from at least two different departments. Some level of interaction between basic science and clinical faculty is desirable but not required. Single PI and multi-PI applications are allowed.
What areas of research will be considered?
- Cell and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease
- Delineation and/or modulation of normal and disease-altered brain circuits
- Development of diagnostic tests
- Identification of biological markers of disease
- Determination of the effectiveness of drugs; and/or, the development of devices that could be used in the detection, treatment, prevention, or tracking of neurodegenerative diseases
What is the level of support?
The maximum total funding per project is up to $500,000 (up to $250,000 per year with a maximum project duration of three years)
Applications are currently closed.
Trainee Travel Grant
Applications are closed for 2024.
Travel grants are intended to support OBI-affiliated trainees to attend and present original research at national and international conferences. Trainees are defined as Ph.D. student, postdoctoral scientist, resident, or clinical fellow. OBI will award up to ten travel grants per fiscal year of up to $2,500 in funding for travel costs.
In order to ensure that funding will be available throughout the year for travel grants, we are making a change from rolling applications to having several open application periods throughout the year.
If you have already submitted an application and are awaiting a decision, no action is needed. Your application is still in the queue for consideration.
Clinical Neuroscience Research Excellence Initiative
Applications are now closed.
Two new clinical research programs administered by the Perot Neuroscience Translational Research Center will support the advancement of early career scientists and interdisciplinary team-based scientific approaches.
The OBI Human Neuroscience Collaborative Research Program will provide resources and funding for clinical research teams pursuing hypothesis-driven projects that will further scientific knowledge developed through human neuroscience research. The goals of the program are to encourage clinical and translational interdisciplinary research team development; development of a database and/or repository of well characterized specific patient cohorts; and creation of a sustainable plan to continue interdisciplinary clinical research efforts.
The OBI Clinical Investigator Development Program will support early career faculty pursuing prospective human subject research. In addition to funding, the O'Donnell Brain Institute will assist with assembling a peer mentor group that can provide support in areas such as career development, leadership development, scientific writing, and peer review.