Award Types
Early Exploratory Studies
Objective: To support initial studies directed to a particular target, including: the development and performance of an initial high-throughput screen (HTS) against an identified target or cell based activity with clinical relevance, or other highly focused studies in accordance with the overarching purposes of the award program.
Resources: Generally expected (but not absolutely required) to use resources at URMC/SMD (only), including the HTS cost-center and other cores/cost centers as appropriate.
Budget: Up to $10,000. Budget expected to support studies conducted at URMC/SMD only.
Lead Finding Studies
Objective: To support more advanced studies, including: early phase medicinal chemistry; initial structure-activity-relationship (SAR) analysis of early chemical leads; target/compound validation; ADME and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of candidate molecules in preparation for animal studies; or actual animal studies.
Resources: Generally expected (but not absolutely required) to use an external drug development service, in combination with studies at URMC.
Budget: Up to $50,000. Budget will be used to support studies based on project needs and recommendations of Drug Discovery Steering Committee.
Restrictions: (1) URSMD faculty only (including non-tenure-track); (2) No faculty salary support permitted.
Review Criteria: Highest priority will be given to those projects that generate enabling preliminary data that are expected to lead to follow on extramural research funding (NIH, SBIR, R21 or R01) or significant external investment in the technology by industry and/or credible investors.