UF CARE Bridging & New Direction Seed Grant Applications are now open and will close October 15th, 2026.
To address the continuing need for research support among addiction scientists at the University of Florida, UFCARE is pleased to announce the inauguration of its Bridging & New Direction Seed Grant Program in Fall, 2026. This program, intended to support the infrastructure and continuing excellence of addiction-related science at the University of Florida, will provide up to $25K in each of two years (total award up to $50K).
Objective: To provide research support when there is:
- An explicit need for pilot data prior to resubmission of a grant application
- A demonstrated gap between current and anticipated funding (awaiting NOA or, contingent on score, council review)
- Compelling justification for preliminary/demonstration data that are essential for a shift in research focus by an established investigator.
Eligibility:
Faculty-level investigators a) who have been members of UF CARE for at least 2 consecutive years, b) who have accrued at least 5 years of service as a faculty member at UF, and c) for whom research constitutes one of their mission areas of distinction. Priority will be given to those with a history of service and/or IDC contributions to UF CARE.
The program is not a mechanism to initiate research careers or to establish a pathway to independence. Post-docs or those for whom research does not constitute one of their areas of distinction are not eligible. K awardees are not eligible during the period of their award. The funds are not intended to substitute for NCE requests. If NCE requests are denied, an application may be considered.
Use of funds: The intent is to support the conduct of well-designed experiments/ projects that can be completed in not more than two calendar years. Carry-over funding and the allocation of the 2nd year of new funding is contingent on progress. Appropriate costs will be reimbursed via fiscal transfer between departments and will be overseen by Bobbi Reynolds or her designee in the Psychiatry fiscal office. There is no direct allocation to the recipient. Unused funds will remain with UF CARE.
Funds; Allowable costs:
- Animal purchase/care
- Participant compensation
- Disposable supplies required for study conduct
(copies of copyrighted instruments, study drug, supplies for drug administration, etc.)
- Personnel not to exceed .25 FTE OPS
Disallowed:
- Faculty Salary support
- Trainee tuition/fees/ health care, etc.
- Equipment that is not specific to the proposal; that is otherwise available in the laboratory; or will be used in other on-going projects or exceeds $2,500 is disallowed. NOTE: In the event that the proposed studies require a specific piece of equipment, the maximum funding will be $2,500. The explicit source of funding for any additional costs must be identified.
- Travel
Application Format:
The application package is detailed below. The application should be submitted as a single pdf that permits searching by the table of contents. Within the package, the materials should be submitted in the order detailed below. Applicant and chair/supervisor letters should be submitted on appropriate letterhead. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.
Required Application Materials Include:
1.Cover Letters: Applicant: Applicants should submit a one-page letter providing the rationale for requesting the funds, status of current funding relevant to the application, and description of how the award/project will directly impact the investigator’s research program. If the total budget for the proposed project will exceed the maximum award, the applicant must define the source(s)/ accessibility of additional funding. If these funds are available through currently accessible institutional sources, please indicate the sources (see also Chair letter below). UF CARE funds will not be available until sufficient funds are available or the project is revised such that it both retains its scientific integrity and is feasible in light of available funding. In this case, a revised methods/approach section would be required and reviewed internally.
Chair/Supervisor letter: The department chair (or higher, if appropriate), should provide a letter describing continuing support for the applicant, the research program, and the willingness to provide up-front support with reimbursement of allowable costs through the UF CARE award. The letter should also express understanding that the award will not cover faculty salary, trainee tuition/fees, or travel.
2. If the project is intended to mitigate a specific methodological/design concern or concerns regarding pilot data, the package must include a copy of the reviewer’s comments as provided in ERA commons.
3.Current CV (UF Full CV)
4.Summary of UF CARE-related engagement across previous calendar year
5.NIH R03 Adaptation:
Use Arial 11 pt. and 0.5-inch margin. Standard forms are not required.
- PI NIH BioSketch: Use Common Form
- Project Description/Abstract: 30 lines of text
- Introduction: 1 Page: appearing before the specific aims page based on the larger objective, this page should:
- Justify the need for pilot data and/or detail how the proposal is responsive to specific weaknesses when resubmission is anticipated,
Or,
- Broadly describe how the project will directly inform next steps in initiating a new research direction
- Research Strategy:
- Specific Aims/objective: 1 page
- Detailed Approach/Method/Analysis: 3 pages
- References
- Budget: Detailed Justification:
Ensure the adequacy of your budget at submission. If the budget exceeds the potential allocation, please identify the other sources that will be applied. Ensure that budget categories are appropriately defined and constructed for labeled expenditures.
For more information, please contact Alexis Pickett, Administrator, UF CARE at CARE@health.ufl.edu.
All applications should be submitted to UF CARE at CARE@health.ufl.edu.