The Mount Sinai Center on Health and Environment Across the LifeSpan (HEALS) and The Tisch Cancer Institute (TCI) are pleased to jointly announce their call for pilot grant proposals. This collaborative initiative aims to foster innovative research and multidisciplinary projects in environmental health sciences, with a special focus on the intersection of environmental exposures and cancer prevention, control, and treatment.
The HEALS and TCI Centers promote the exploration of innovative ideas, methodologies, and technologies with the potential to significantly advance the field of environmental exposure and cancer treatment in health sciences. We invite researchers from diverse backgrounds to contribute to this collaborative effort. While we encourage proposals that focus on the intersection of environmental exposures and cancer, we also welcome standalone environmental health research projects.
The program seeks to fund pilot projects that align with the following objectives:
Pilot Program Key Objectives:
Investigate emerging environmental health challenges: Proposals should focus on addressing emerging environmental health issues, including but not limited to the effects of environmental exposures on vulnerable populations, the identification and characterization of environmental contaminants, and the development of innovative strategies for exposure assessment and risk mitigation.
Foster multidisciplinary collaborations: The program encourages collaborations across diverse scientific disciplines, such as toxicology, epidemiology, genetics, engineering, and social sciences. Projects that bring together researchers from different fields to tackle complex environmental health problems will be prioritized.
Promote translation and dissemination of research findings: Successful applicants should demonstrate a commitment to translating their research findings into actionable knowledge and disseminating them to relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, public health professionals, and affected communities.
Provide feedback programs for Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs): We strongly encourage Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) to apply for pilot grant funding. As part of our commitment to fostering the careers of ESIs, we have set-asides and feedback programs in place to support their professional development.
Prioritizing Community-Engaged research proposals: Proposed projects are highly encouraged to align with community needs and contribute to environmental justice. Community-engaged projects should demonstrate an impact and provide support for community engagement core initiatives.
Key Cancer Focus Areas:
Emerging Environmental Health Issues related to cancer: Address new and critical environmental challenges, particularly those affecting vulnerable populations.
Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Foster research that bridges disciplines such as basic science, epidemiology, toxicology, and social sciences.
Early-Stage Investigators: We strongly encourage applications from Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs), with dedicated feedback programs available.
Community-Engaged Research: Projects that engage communities and address environmental justice are highly encouraged.
For questions regarding the RFA’s requirements and scientist collaborators:
HEALS Pilot Program Director: Maria Rosa maria.rosa@mssm.edu
TCI Administrative Director for Research: Christine Ponder christine.ponder@mssm.edu
For Administrative Questions:
Contact Rozalyn Paupaw: rozalyn.paupaw@mssm.edu