IFIP + Bold Challenges Launch Pad

Purpose

Firearm injury is the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States, and we continue to see a rise in the rate of firearm-related injuries and deaths overall. Multidisciplinary, innovative approaches are required to begin to successfully decrease the burden of firearm injury. Researchers have recently underscored the need to focus on improving the prevalence of and options for secure firearm storage as an effective means for primary prevention of firearm injury. How can researchers increase safe firearm storage practices? What options are available to manufacturers, insurance providers, policymakers, and communities to make firearms safer? Are there engineering, technology, legislative and/or social solutions that can increase the adoption, efficacy and safety of firearm storage?

The Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention (IFIP), in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), will hold a Bold Challenges Launch Pad, a 1.5-day Ideas Lab-style event with the objective of bringing together faculty from across disciplines to brainstorm, form teams, develop ideas, pitch solutions, and collaborate on projects that propose creative solutions for firearm storage and safety. 

IFIP invites University of Michigan faculty to submit applications to attend the IFIP + Bold Challenges Launch Pad event on May 6 (8:30 am – 5:00 pm) and May 7 (12:00 – 5:00 pm), 2024. During the event, a team of faculty mentors will work with participants to develop plans and collaborate on solutions that address the challenge of firearm storage and safety. Launch Pad participants will have the opportunity to pitch their plans to IFIP faculty mentors and receive feedback. Pitches that are poised to have the greatest potential to address firearm storage and safety will be invited to submit a proposal for funding the project. There will be $150,000 available for funding exploratory projects after this event. Investigators must be present at the Launch Pad event to be eligible to submit for funding.

Important Dates

Launch Pad Event Application: Due by 11:59 pm EST, Sunday, March 31, 2024

Invitations to attend Launch Pad: Sent mid-April

Launch Pad Event & Pitches: May 6 & 7, 2024

Proposals for Funding (select pitches only): Due by 5:00 pm EST, Friday, June 21, 2024

Award Start Date: September 1, 2024

Selection Process &  Terms of Funding

• Submit the application form to apply for the IFIP + Bold Challenges Launch Pad event
• Attend the entire event on both days (May 6 and May 7)
• After the Launch Pad event, select teams will have an opportunity to incorporate feedback from leadership and draft a 3-page proposal for funding. 
• The three-page proposals will be due by Friday, June 21, 2024. IFIP leadership will announce funded exploratory project winners by mid-July, 2024. Those selected for funding will provide a written response to any required changes, if applicable.
• Principal Investigators for IFIP funding must be research, academic, or clinical faculty at the University of Michigan and hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent academic degree. Post-docs are not eligible.
• Multi-PI projects are allowed; one PI must be identified as the main contact. 
• Preference will be given to proposals involving interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Funded applicants must remain at U-M for the duration of their study.
• The funding period will depend on IRB approval or exemption but is estimated to be September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025. A final report is due no later than November 30, 2025. 
• IFIP will fund reasonable research expenses, although the funding should not be used to cover tenure-track faculty effort. Reasonable expenses could be: data collection or purchases or other research activities; research assistants; research-related travel; supplies. 
• Cost extensions are discouraged and require a face-to-face meeting. Extensions would be contingent on compelling justification, a favorable budget review, progress report, and revised timeline.
• Funding will not be allocated until evidence of full IRB approval or exemption has been received.  
• Funding cannot be provided to conduct research outside of the U.S.
• Funded applicants are expected to: 
• submit a final report upon project completion
• submit a 250-word summary (for IFIP’s website)
• provide ongoing updates on resulting research projects, publications, presentations, etc.
• acknowledge the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention on all related work

Instructions for Proposal Submissions (after the event)

Investigators that attend the Launch Pad event and are invited to submit proposals for funding must submit by 5:00 pm ET, Friday, June 21, 2024 using the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention Competition Space through InfoReady.

Submissions must be single-spaced, ½ inch margins, 11 pt Arial font.

1. Title Page: Proposal title, principal investigator and co-investigator names and affiliation
2. Abstract: 30 lines of text. Explain how study findings address firearm safety and storage, potential impact,  and potential for additional external funding.
3. Exploratory Project Proposal (3-pages maximum not including references)
1. Specific Aims (1 page)
2. Brief overview of Significance, Innovation, and Approach (2 pages)
3. References
4. Budget estimates of cost for 1 year with brief justification (2-pages maximum)
5. Biographical sketch for each investigator: Use NIH biosketch format. 

NOTE:  Full human subjects review approval is required before funding is disbursed.

Selection Criteria for Funding

Applications will be evaluated by the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention leadership team based on:

• Significance. Does this study address an important problem in the field of firearm injury prevention? If the aims are achieved, how will scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventive interventions that drive this field? 
• Approach. Are the conceptual or clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, well-reasoned, feasible and appropriate to the aims of the project? Is the study likely to be completed during the funding period? 
• Innovation. Is the project innovative? For example, does the project: challenge existing paradigms or clinical practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field; develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area? 
• Investigators. Successful proposals should include a multidisciplinary and cross-school team of investigators. 

Additional Review Criteria:

• Alignment. Is the proposed study aligned with firearm injury prevention by way of firearm storage and safety? 
• Translation of research findings/products. How will the findings be translated to inform policy or promote the impact on firearm injury prevention and practice for a variety of audiences (e.g., policy makers, practitioners, healthcare institutions, etc.). 
• Additional funding. Is it likely that the proposed project will lead to external funding in firearm injury prevention? Will the award be matched by internal funds? Be specific about your plans for future funding on this topic.

Timeline

About IFIP

Launched as a University of Michigan Presidential Initiative in 2019 and a University-wide Institute in 2021, the U-M Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention engages the breadth of expertise across U-M, with input from nonacademic stakeholders, to generate knowledge and advance solutions that will decrease firearm injury across the United States – while respecting the rights of responsible, law-abiding firearm owners. In order to accomplish this mission, the U-M Institute of Firearm Injury Prevention:

• • Generates actionable research to reduce and prevent firearm injury and death, 
  • Develops innovative evidence-based programs and scholarship, 
  • Collaborates with communities most affected by firearm injury, 
  • Catalogs and mobilizes relevant data to inform new solutions, and
  • Evaluates new and existing policy solutions.