FAQ

• When will the GRAND awards for 2010 be announced?
• Who were the successful applicants last year?
• Will the Review Committee members be the same as last year?
• What are the GRAND awards?
• What is the role of Pfizer in the GRAND awards?
• How many GRAND awards are available?
• Is the funding a per-annum or per-study amount?
• Does the funding include institutional overhead costs and indirect costs?
• What are indirect costs?
• What are institutional overhead costs?
• How are the funds dispersed?
• How may the GRAND funding be used?
• Can GRAND funding be used to purchase equipment?
• Are the GRAND awards renewable?
• Are the GRAND awards open to researchers working outside the United States?
• What specific areas of research meet the criteria for GRAND funding?
• Are there any specific research areas that are excluded from GRAND funding?
• Will non-drug research proposals be considered?
• If the study uses a Pfizer drug, what are Pfizer’s procedures for reporting of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)?
• Can an exception be made for certain applicants regarding the eligibility criteria to the GRAND awards?
• I’m still not sure if my proposed research topic meets the criteria, how can I find out?
• Is there a time limit for conducting the funded research?
• How do I apply for a GRAND award?
• Do applications have to be submitted in English?
• What is the deadline for application?
• When will I hear whether my application has been successful?
• If my application is successful, when will the funding commence?
• Will I receive a copy of the Review Committee’s evaluation of my grant proposal?
• I have a question that is not covered here 
 
When will the GRAND awards for 2010 be announced?
The successful awardees will be notified in August 2010 and the 2010 awards may be announced publicly after that date. 

Who were the successful applicants last year?
Information relating to the previous GRAND applicants and research topics is available via the following link: 2008 & 2009 GRAND Awards.

 

Will the Review Committee members be the same as last year?
The two Co-Chairs will be the same as last year. Please refer to http://www.grand2010.org/ReviewProcess/default.asp to see the members of the Review Committee.

 

What are the GRAND awards?
Global Research Awards for Nicotine Dependence (GRAND) Program. The inaugural funding took place in 2008. They are a program of research grants funded by Pfizer to support clinical research into the mechanisms of tobacco and nicotine dependence with an upper limit of US$200,000.

 

What is the role of Pfizer in the GRAND awards?
Pfizer is fully funding the GRAND awards. Additionally, Pfizer is providing the infrastructure and administrative support required to facilitate the application process and the independent review process, as well as notifying applicants and distributing awards. Otherwise, the awards are independent of Pfizer. All applications will be formally reviewed by, and only by, an independent Review Committee, comprising internationally prominent researchers in the field who will select the successful applicants. The final responsibility for selection of awardees will rest with the Co-chairs of the Review Committee. Please refer to http://www.grand2010.org/ReviewProcess/default.asp to see the members of the Review Committee.

 

How many GRAND awards are available?
In 2010, the intent of the program is to fund at least 6 grants of between US$50,000 and US$200,000 for a total of US$1.2 million. These awards are open to all investigators.

 

Is the funding a per-annum or per-study amount?
Each award funds the entire research period, and is not a sum paid per year.

 

Does the funding include Institutional overhead costs and indirect costs?
Yes, the total funding for each award includes indirect costs, and institutional overhead costs (overheads on direct costs may not exceed 28% of the total funding).

 

What are indirect costs?
Indirect costs are additional study expenses such as costs for publication, IRB/IEC review fees, supplies, software licence fees, and travel.

 

What are institutional overhead costs?
Institutional overhead costs, are costs to the institution for the support of your study. They are not easily identifiable in an economically feasible way as exclusively related to a particular project but are necessary to conduct the grant. Some examples of these costs are human resources department costs, payroll processing and accounting costs, janitorial services, utilities, property taxes, property and liability insurance, and building maintenance.

 

How are the funds dispersed?
The awards will be paid in milestones. Initial payment will be up to 50% of the total grant and there will be payments made based on enrollment (either 50% or 100% patient enrollment) or other milestones depending on study type. Final payment will be 15% upon receipt of study results.

 

How may the GRAND funding be used?
Funds may be used to cover the Awardee’s salary and fringe benefits, as well as other direct expenses incurred during the research project. Direct expenses may include the salary of technical associates; the purchase of relevant laboratory supplies; direct expenses necessary for proper conduct of research (eg, subject-related costs, study-related personnel costs, diagnostic fees/services, data management expenses). Indirect costs may include and travel expenses to scientific meetings, software licensing fees, publication costs etc. No more than 28% of the funds may be used for institutional overhead costs.

 

Can GRAND funding be used to purchase equipment?
GRAND funds may not be used to purchase equipment, although the purchase of relevant laboratory supplies is allowed.

 

Are the GRAND awards renewable?
Each GRAND award is a one-time, non-renewable research grant.

 

Are the GRAND awards open to researchers working outside the United States?
Yes, the GRAND awards are open to researchers from any country.

 

What specific areas of research meet the criteria for GRAND funding?

Research may be in the following areas of tobacco and nicotine dependence: 

  • Human laboratory (eg, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, cravings, withdrawal)
  • Pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation and relapse, and/or its interaction with behavioral support
  • Characterization of subtypes of smokers and appropriate interventions.

 
Are there any specific research areas that are excluded from GRAND funding?
The following topics fall outside of the scope of the GRAND Program: 

  • Animal studies
  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology (eg, harm and prevalence of dependence)
  • Tobacco policy
  • Public health
  • Community interventions
  • Economic and social factors
  • Educational programs.

 
Will non-drug research proposals be considered?
Yes. Both drug and non-drug proposals will be considered for funding.

 

If the study uses a Pfizer drug, what are Pfizer’s procedures for reporting of Serious Adverse Events?
For All Studies Using a Pfizer Product and/or Device: Pfizer requires that, within 24 hours of first awareness of the event (or immediately if the event is fatal or life-threatening), the principal investigator will report to Pfizer by facsimile any Serious Adverse Event (SAE) that occurs during the SAE reporting period in a study subject assigned to receive the Pfizer Product. In addition, for studies using a Pfizer device or Pfizer product packaged with a device, reportable events include not only SAEs but also Device Incidents and Device Near-Incidents.


• Reporting Forms: The principal investigator will report such SAEs using the Pfizer IIR SAE reporting form or the approved local regulatory form (i.e., FDA MEDWATCH form, CIOMS, etc.) and the Reportable Event Fax Cover Sheet   provided by Pfizer. SAEs should be reported as soon as they are determined to meet the definition, even if complete information is not yet available. 
• Reporting Period: The Reportable Events that are subject to this provision are those that occur from after the first dose of the Pfizer product through 28 days after discontinuation of the Pfizer product.
• Follow-up Information: The institution and/or principal investigator will assist Pfizer in investigating any SAE and will provide any follow-up information reasonably requested by Pfizer.
• Regulatory Reporting: Reporting an SAE to Pfizer does not relieve the institution and/or principal investigator of the responsibility for reporting it to the FDA or local regulatory authority, as required.

 

Can an exception be made for certain applicants regarding the eligibility criteria to the GRAND awards?
The eligibility requirements — academic, scientific, etc. — are designed and maintained by the Review Committee. These criteria have been carefully designed to attract appropriate candidates at a certain level in their professional development. In keeping with the purpose and intention of the GRAND awards, applicants must meet all the criteria in order to be considered for an award. Submissions outside these parameters will not be considered.

 

I’m still not sure if my proposed research topic meets the criteria, how can I find out?
Please contact the GRAND Coordinator with a brief description of your proposed research area.

 

Email:  enquiries@grand2010.org
Telephone: +1 215 239 6565 or +44 1403 322065.

 

Is there a time limit for conducting the funded research?
Study results are expected before November 2012.

 

How do I apply for a GRAND award?
For 2010, all applications will need to be submitted via the Pfizer Initiated-Investigator Research (IIR) Portal via the following link (http://www.iirsubmission.pfizer.com), using the same Application Form as that used for IIR funding.

Click on "Create New Proposal" and follow the online instructions to create a new Investigator-Initiated Research Submission. If this is your first time visiting the Portal, you must first "Create an Account".

Please refer to the Application Guide (Click here) or contact enquiries@grand2010.org.  

 

Do applications have to be submitted in English?
Yes. To ensure that the available funding is directed as much as possible towards the research grants rather than administrative costs, applications in languages other than English unfortunately cannot be accepted.

 

What is the deadline for application?
Applications must be received by May 12, 2010, 5pm Eastern Daylight Time in the United States. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications, or addenda and changes to previously submitted applications, after this time.

 

When will I hear whether my application has been successful?
The Review Committee will make the final decisions by the end of July 2010, and successful applicants will be notified by August 2010.

 

If my application is successful, when will the funding commence?
Awards will commence on or around November/December, 2010, pending receipt of all required documents noted on the application form.

 

Will I receive a copy of the Review Committee’s evaluation of my grant proposal?
Feedback for proposals will be provided at the discretion of the reviewers.

 

I have a question that is not covered here
If you require clarification on an issue not addressed here, please contact the GRAND Coordinator:

 

Email:  enquiries@grand2010.org
Telephone: +1 215 239 6565 or +44 1403 322065.