When you begin the application process, you will see tasks on the left side of your screen. All of these tasks must be completed before you will be allowed to click the Review & Submit button.
An open circle indicates a task that is not started. A partially filled circle is a task that has been started, but not completed. A filled green circle with a checkmark is a task that has been completed and you are ready to move to the next task. Simply click the next open circle and begin entering the required information.
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Application Components: All applications must be submitted here at the TRC4 online application portal by the stated deadline. Applications consist of a completed web-based forms and upload of required documents containing the following listed components. Narrative documents should generally follow NIH guidance for format and content: standard US letter paper size (8.5” x 11”) with margins at least 0.5 inches on all sides and font size 11 points or larger. Page limitations apply to selected sections, as detailed in the list below. TRC4 applications are patterned after the NIH R21 mechanism.
1. Research Plan: a. Specific Aims (not to exceed 1 page) –A short description of the objectives and hypotheses to be tested by each aim. b. Research Strategy (not to exceed 6 pages) i. Significance–Explain the importance of the problem and how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice in the field. ii. Innovation–A description of how the application challenges/seeks to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions. iii. Approach–A detailed presentation of the experimental design, methodological approaches, statistical analyses, and interpretation to accomplish the specific aims. Provide alternative approaches, as appropriate.
2. References (no page limit): Include a complete list of the literature cited in the application.
3. Human or Animal Use (no page limit, but be succinct): If human subjects will be used in the project, address each of the following criteria: a. Risks to Human Subjects i. Human Subjects Involvement, Characteristics, and Design ii. Study Procedures, Materials, and Potential Risks b. Adequacy of Protection Against Risks i. Informed Consent and Assent ii. Protections Against Risk iii. Populations that are vulnerable to coercion or undue influence and pregnant women, fetuses and neonates, if relevant to your study c. Potential Benefits of the Proposed Research to Research Participants and Others d. Importance of the Knowledge to be Gained e. Inclusion of Women and Minorities. If live vertebrate animals will be used in the project, address each of the following criteria: f. Description of Procedures i. Justifications ii. Minimization of Pain and Distress
4. Facilities and Resources (not to exceed 2 pages): A description of the facilities and resources available for the performance of project. Indicate the performance site(s) and describe pertinent site capabilities.
5. Budget and Budget Justification (Budget: fillable Excel file for download): Budget template is available here: Budgets should be prepared per template provided, up to 21 months, and should include line-item breakdowns for all projects, direct and indirect. In a separate narrative document, provide justification for all budget items and all sites, including PI and all Key Personnel per web-based entry in Full Application, if applicable.
The budget template has been designed to provide a detailed budget breakdown by year, with the first budget period covering 10/1/25 – 9/30/26 (12 months), and the second budget period covering 10/1/26 – 6/30/27 (9 months). The third page is a summary of totals and will auto-calculate from the detailed entries into the first two pages. If you anticipate a different project period, please specify this clearly within your application.
Provide breakdown of costs and appropriate details by category. Collaborator expenses should be budgeted appropriately based on whether the costs are considered an independent consultant cost (budgeted under Consultant Costs), a vendor fee-for-service cost (budgeted under Services), Collaborations with outside entity that is not at UT institution (budgeted under Non-UT System Subward), or a UT System subaward (budgeted under appropriate Subaward Direct Costs Only). Do not include subaward indirect costs in the total entered here; the subaward indirect costs + prime recipient institution indirect costs should be entered into the Indirect Costs line of the budget. When Non-UT System Subawards/UT System Subaward(s) are included, a detailed budget form and narrative justification for each should also be included within the application.
6. Biosketches (not to exceed 5 pages each): Provide a biosketch (NIH-styled or SciENcv) for all key project personnel. Biosketches are needed for listed PI and all Key Personnel per entry into the web-based Full Application form and Budget file.
7. Other Support (no page limit): Provide a list of current and pending other support for all key personnel. NIH format is recommended but not required.
8. Supporting Documents (no page limit): Include pertinent supporting documentation for the application, such as IRB approval, letters of support, etc.
Please note that all Key Personnel MUST BE entered into the web-based form (Full Application) and consistently represented in the Budget, Budget Justification, and Biosketch file uploads.
All full application components must be submitted by the specified deadline and adhere to the requirements as outlined above. Failure to comply with any of the listed requirements or deadlines will result in the rejection of the application.
Application Review:
All completed applications will be sent to an independent third party for review. Review panels are experts in the trauma field, blinded to TRC4 Operations personnel and applicants, and mitigated for conflicts of interest to Key Personnel. Scored review factors include: Importance of Research, Rigor and Feasibility, Expertise and Resources, and Relevance to Trauma Care.
Questions: For questions on the RFA or programmatic issues, please contact: TRC4 Director of Research Operations, Christina Spencer, at spencerc3@uthscsa.edu