Directed by Mark Rubinstein, PhD, under the leadership of PIIO director, Zihai Li, MD, PhD, the Priority Research Program aims to provide critical resources to strategic immuno-oncology (IO) projects and initiatives as part of the Immune Monitoring and Discovery Platform (IMPD) within PIIO. The goal of the technology voucher program is to fund impactful efforts or projects that advance technologies or associated resources that will be of substantial value to the PIIO community. These efforts may involve creating new technologies or alternatively bringing difficult technology to the PIIO IMDP.
For example, a proposal of a project seeking to use or develop cutting edge technology in a manner that also establishes data that can be used by other PIIO members would be attractive. Alternatively, a laboratory that is (or seeks to be) highly proficient in a cutting-edge technology may propose a collaboration with IMPD, and in this case, to be a technology champion. A technology champion may assist IMPD in developing technology and/or helping make technology and data accessible to PIIO members.
There are no restrictions on what might be proposed, and creative ideas are encouraged. Integration of technologies with key scientific questions is encouraged and benefit to the PIIO community is critical.
This funding opportunity is open to all members of the PIIO. We expect to support up to one or two priority research technology voucher projects each fiscal year, although the exact number will depend on the applications received and resources dedicated to other funded efforts.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be a member of the PIIO. PIIO membership is open to all faculty at Ohio State or affiliated institutions engaged or planning to be engaged in immuno-oncology research as outlined in the PIIO membership guidelines. Eligible projects must focus on immuno-oncology and fall within one or more PIIO’s focus areas:
- Cancer Immunogenomics
- Cell Therapy
- Systems IO
- Cancer Immuno-microbiomics
- Translational IO
Importantly, this is not a pilot grant mechanism to demonstrate feasibility of new IO projects. Proposed research should provide a substantive pathway to advancing technology or data access to PIIO members. Priority will be given to projects that are highly innovative and have therapeutic potential.
For projects involving human subjects or animal models, applicants must provide documentation of approved IRB and/or IACUC protocols or have proof of exemption prior to receiving funding.
Award Information
Priority Research Program awardees will receive a voucher (up to $100,000) redeemable for services in the PIIO Immune Monitoring and Discovery Platform (IMDP) within one year of funding. Services include:
- Flow Cytometer: Cytek Aurora Spectral Analyzer, 5 lasers
- Flow Cytometer: Cytek Northern Lights spectral analyzer with 3 lasers
- Cell Sorter: BD FACSMelody 3 lasers, 4-way sorting
- Spectral cell sorter: Cytek CS 5 laser
- Multiplexed Imaging: Akoya Vectra Polaris
- Single Cell Epigenetics: 10X Genomics Chromium
- Automated Electrophoresis: Agilent 4150 TapeStation
- Automated Slide Stainer: Leica BondRx
- Multiplexed Imaging/Live Cell Imaging: EVOS 7000
- Spatial Transcriptomics – Visium and Xenium platforms
- Live cell analysis – Incucyte SX5
- Immuno-Informatics and Data Analytics
- Flow Cytometry and Mass Cytometry Data Analysis
- Cytokine and Chemokine, ELISA, and Viral Neutralization Assay
- Bulk RNA-Seq Data Analysis
- Bulk ChIP-Seq and ATAC-Seq Data Analysis
- T Cell Receptor Repertoire Sequencing Data Analysis
- Single-Cell RNA-Seq Data Analysis
- Single-Cell ATAC-Seq Data Analysis
- Spatial Transcriptomics Data Analysis
- Mining Public Data
Application Submission Guidelines
Application Phase One:
The following application documents should be emailed to James Fant (James.Fant@osumc.edu) as a single PDF:
- A one-to-three-page proposal with timeline for requested IMDP services and or collaborative efforts (such as a technology champion) and include budget and justification. References will not count against the three-page maximum limit. A lengthy application is not necessary but sufficient detail to provide a foundation for in-person discussions for selected projects. Please include in your proposal the names of any co-investigators.
- Applicants may include additional information in an appendix that will not count toward the three-page applciation.
- NIH-format biosketch of the principal investigator.
Application attachments should be single-spaced; font must be Arial 11-point type. Margins should be at least 0.5”.
The normal application submission deadline is twice per year (including February 28, 2025 and August 31, 2025). However, investigators with time-sensitive projects may request an exception by emailing James Fant at James.Fant@osumc.edu. These requests will be reviewed internally by the Priority Research Program Review Committee. The committee will evaluate the proposals and awardees will be notified via email upon decision. Select applicants will advance to phase two.
Application Phase Two:
Phase two includes a presentation to the Priority Research Program Committee. PowerPoint presentations should include slides for introduction, project summary, problem statement, objectives, relevance, key research data, and/or project next steps (how this award will advance a technology within IMPD to benefit the PIIO community).
Review Process. The Priority Research Program Review Committee will score proposals based on scientific merit and feasibility. The final selection of awards will be based on meeting the goals of the RFA as well as programmatic needs.
Post Award. Awardees will receive a project initiation consultation with the associate director for the IMDP, leaders for Immuno-Informatics, and Priority Research Committee members for planning and execution of immune monitoring experiment(s) necessary to accomplish the research objectives. Prior to disbursement of the voucher, a Priority Research Voucher – Project Overview will be completed by the applicant and the scientific co-directors of the IMDP. This overview will outline explicit goals, deliverables, timeline/milestones (e.g., via Gannt chart), plans for troubleshooting, and other administrative details (such as acknowledgements, affiliations, and authorship, if appropriate).
Project Closeout. The period of performance is expected to last one year. Upon completion, the voucher recipient will submit a Final Report to the Priority Research Program Review Committee. Unexpended funds after one calendar year will revert to the PIIO, unless recipient is given special consideration due to unforeseen circumstances.