Our sequencing grant program has a rolling deadline. That means you can apply any time throughout the year. We will review applications so long as funds have not been exhausted. Any queries should be directed to WYOINBRE@gmail.com.

Program Description

The NIH NIGMS-funded Wyoming IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Program’s Data Science Core (IDSC) requests applications from University of Wyoming and Wyoming community college faculty to the Biomedical Sequencing and Bioinformatic Analysis Program. Please note that this program now evaluates applications on rolling basis and will continue year round until available funds are exhausted. The immediate goal of this program is to provide support for the acquisition of high throughput sequencing data (genomes, transcriptomes, amplicon analysis etc.) that will strengthen the research program of the applicant and increase their competitiveness for extramural funding. Funds may be used for sample prep and sequencing but not for sample acquisition (e.g., tissue/sample culture or collection of samples in the field), nor for purchase of laboratory supplies or reagents unrelated to the proposed work. Anticipated outcomes of this support include, but are not limited to, conference presentations, peer-reviewed papers and/or production of preliminary data for nationally competitive grant proposals. The longer-term objective of the program is to enhance bioinformatics research and training in Wyoming, as a contribution towards furthering the goals of Wyoming INBRE. Beginning with this cycle, only UW and CC faculty may apply for the award. However, student and professional training are integral expectations of this program and as such, projects with a training component involving undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs will be preferentially considered. Awarded funds may not be used for any purpose other than those described above.

The amount of the award is capped at USD $10,000. If the amount requested does not fully support projected costs, the applicant must provide an explanation of the source of additional required funds. Support is available from the IBC to brainstorm experimental design, feasibility of proposed experiments and training for or involvement in data analysis protocols. Support queries should be sent to wyoinbre@gmail.com.

Judging Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

  1. Completeness and clarity of project description including adequate survey of literature in the area of research.

  2. Degree of novelty of proposed project.

  3. Benefit to applicant’s research program.

  4. Previous funding through this program (please include a discussion of the outcomes from that project as well as timely reporting of products to WY INBRE

  5. Involvement of student trainees

  6. Appropriate and well-justified amount of request

  7. A tentative plan for data analysis and publishing in peer-reviewed journals and/or development of grant submissions

  8. A discussion of the expertise available with the research group for data analysis, and

  9. A clear identification of the biomedical scope of the program.

Choice of Facility / Service Provider

Applicants may propose the use of a sequencing facility of their choice, if they have already established a successful working relationship with such a facility. The IBC requests 3 well-considered competitive and comparable quotes in writing for each submission. All quotes must contain the same statement of work and must not include any bioinformatics data analysis unless that service is provided free of charge. Applicants are encouraged to consult the IBC for advice on service providers and interpretation of quote results. Please note: Applications without the three required quotes will be rejected without review.

Award Conditions

Successful applicants will be required to participate in an INBRE event in which they will provide brief presentations on their supported project and how the knowledge gained has been used to advance bioinformatics components of the applicant’s research and/or educational program. Program participants will also be required to complete brief surveys to allow programmatic assessment. All products resulting from the award must be reported through the Product Reporting Form on our website and must fully acknowledge this funding source.

When Should I Apply?

Because these grants are now awarded on a rolling basis, there is no deadline. If this announcement remains posted to the IBC website, the program remains in effect. Investigators are encouraged to apply when their experiment has reached sequencing stage. The expectation is that at the time of application, the investigator has samples fully processed and ready for sequencing. As mentioned earlier, IBC scientists remain available to discuss experimental design and/or feasibility of the proposed project prior to application submission.

Proposal Formatting Guidelines

Font size: 11pt or larger; Margins: 1 in or larger. Include all of the following requested information in a single pdf document and email it to wyoinbre@gmail.com with the subject heading IBCseq_YOUR_LAST_NAME. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt.

Investigator Information

Name of investigator, position, institution, department, and contact information. List all past WY INBRE funding for you or members (past or present) from your lab.

Project Description (1 page excluding references)

  1. Description of proposed sequencing and/or bioinformatics analysis project, including its scientific merit.

  2. If generating new sequencing data, how do you propose to ensure the novelty of the data?

  3. How do you plan to disseminate results to the scientific community at large? Provide specific examples from past research.

  4. If estimated project costs exceed the requested amount, provide an explanation on how these costs will be supported.

  5. What if any other funds are available to complete the proposed sequencing work?

  6. How quickly can you send out samples for sequencing if you were awarded this grant?

Budget and Justification (No word limit)

Detailed listing of funds requested and explanation of their relevance to the proposed work. This includes explanation of sequencing effort (e.g., coverage, sampling scheme).

Provide at least 3 sequencing quotes from different service providers. Unless there is a compelling justification as to the preferred service provider, the amount awarded will equal the lowest of the three quotes.


Past Grant Awardees