Idea Award

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The Wisconsin Nathan Shock Center (WiNSC) invites Rapid Idea Award applications (up to $15,000 in Core services), accepted on a rolling basis. These awards are designed to facilitate rapid adoption of cutting‑edge WiNSC Core resources and methods. They support short‑term, sample‑ready projects in the basic biology of aging, with emphasis on metabolism, aging phenotypes, and age‑related vulnerability.

Rapid Idea Awards are well‑suited for fast‑turnaround studies: often sequencing‑based workflows, rapid pilot experiments, or early data‑generation activities that provide key missing datasets for manuscripts or preliminary evidence needed for external grant proposals.

Award support is provided as WiNSC Core services only. No funds are transferred to the investigator or institution.

All Idea Award projects follow a six‑month project period. All approved Core services must be completed within this timeframe.

A single final scientific and financial report is required at the end of the six‑month project period. This report documents project outcomes, use of Core services, and short‑term impacts. WiNSC may also request follow‑up information such as publications or related grant submissions for up to five years.

For questions, please contact WiNSC Program Manager, Alicia Weich, at winsc@medicine.wisc.edu.

Purpose and Goals

Rapid Idea Awards aim to:

• Support highly targeted use of WiNSC Core services
• Accelerate acquisition of key datasets needed for manuscripts or extramural grant feasibility
• Encourage rapid implementation of innovative, early‑stage projects
• Promote adoption of new WiNSC Core technologies and experimental methods

These goals align with WiNSC’s mission to advance research in the basic biology of aging and strengthen the Center’s collaborative research community. Applications are rigorously evaluated as part of a monthly review process.

Eligibility

Investigators engaged in aging research are invited to apply. Applicants are asked to review the WiNSC Core pages and coordinate with the appropriate Core leaders to discuss experimental design and service-related considerations.

Award Amount

• Up to $15,000 in WiNSC Core services
• Provided as services‑only, not as a cash transfer

All service requests must align with the project scope and budget included in the application and must be feasible within the six‑month project period.

How to Apply

Completed applications with budgets should be emailed to winsc@medicine.wisc.edu with “Idea Award Application” in the subject line.

Submission through your institution’s Research and Sponsored Programs office is typically not required, since awards are service‑based. After submission, applications enter a monthly review cycle, and selected applicants will receive a Notice of Award outlining the project period, reporting expectations, and approved scope of Core services.

Idea Award Application Details

Each application must include:

1. Proposal title
2. Principal Investigator(s), including the name, degree, position, academic institution, department of all PIs
3. Biosketch (current)
4. Abstract (200 words)
5. Scientific research plan that describes the relevance to aging, metabolism and translational potential and provides specific information on how the award would accelerate their progress and advance their research (1-2 pages)
6. Budget and justification that includes project scope (e.g. sample numbers, mouse numbers, cell numbers, etc.) including costs or samples as discussed with the leaders of the appropriate WiNSC Cores (no more than 2 pages)

Completed applications should be emailed to WiNSC Program Manager Alicia Weich at winsc@medicine.wisc.edu.

Submission Timeline

• Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
• Reviews occur monthly.
• Awards may be issued at any time.

Awardee Responsibilities

Principal Investigators (PIs) of funded projects will provide a final scientific and financial report after six months from the start-date of the project. PIs of funded projects will receive mentoring as needed throughout and beyond their Award. PIs of funded projects may be asked to present their research at the Annual Conference organized by WiNSC. Award recipients will report to the Administrative Core any publication that resulted from their pilot project, additional funding obtained to continue the work, and new collaborations.