Overview
The OVPR’s MPS Seed Grant Program is to provide funding support for UConn/UCH researchers to use the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Javelin MPS (microphysiological system or organ-on-a-chip platform), recently acquired thanks to a generous gift by UConn Aluma Jane Hirsh, to generate preliminary data in support of grant submissions.
The OVPR is providing one-time matching funds in response to Ms. Hirsh’s gift because of the strong potential MPS and other new approach methodologies (NAMs) offers for reducing the need for animal studies in human health research and speeding up the development of new therapeutics. The use of MPS and other NAMs in health research is in strong alignment with FDA, NIH, and international efforts to develop ethical, human-specific non-animal methodologies. OVPR offers this seed investment to enable UConn/UCH researchers to effectively leverage these new approaches for high-impact research that can establish the University as a leader in this promising area.
Award Details
The MPS Seed Grant Program will award 8-10 grants up to $25,000 each to cover the experimental costs described below.
Proposed research projects should include the design and the execution of Javelin’s organ-on-a-chip platform studies that address high-value questions such as.
- Population and species differences in metabolism
- Mechanisms of off-target toxicity
- Optimization of dosing regimens using human-relevant models[MM1][MM2]
- Efficacy, ADME, or toxicity assessment for promising therapeutics
Awards include funds to support up to two rounds of experiments. Budgets can only be used to support the following costs:
- Chips from Javelin
- Reagents and other supplies needed to carry out experiments using the Javelin platform
Expected outcomes
- External fund proposals seeking NIH, FDA, and foundation support for alternative testing strategies. Applicants need to name their targeted external funding opportunities and provide details about expected submission timelines.
- Peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations at regional and national meetings focused on MPS and pharmacology.
- Other visible outputs that will reinforce UConn’s reputation as a hub for innovative, ethical drug development science.
Timeline
- Full proposals must be submitted by 4/6 at 12 noon via theUConn Quest Portal(you may be prompted to first log in and then click the link again to access the application)
- Notifications of results will be announced by May 15th, 2026
- Awardees will be announced publicly on the OVPR’s Internal Funding Program website and through UConn Today.
Eligibility
- Lead faculty PI needs to be a UConn/UCH faculty member
- Faculty must be tenure-track, tenured, Research, and in-Residence faculty with Assistant Professor rank or higher with an active research program. Investigators need to have institutionally-funded research time available to devote to the project.
- Faculty may only submit one proposal as lead PI. Investigators may serve as collaborators on multiple projects.
- Multi-PI, interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. Faculty are encouraged to use the School’s website or Lincus, a search engine that will assist in identifying specific faculty expertise at all UConn campuses, including UConn Health. You can also reach out to OVPR Research Development Associate Quinn McAdam at quinn.mcadam@uconn.edu.
Funding Period
Awards will be made for a 6-month period, with the expectation is experiments will be completed within 6 months unless a compelling justification is made by the PI(s) for an alternate funding period. Standard award period will be June 1 to December 31. Projects that are expected to take more than 9 months to complete are not encouraged.
Budget
In the proposal, indicate how many chips are needed and the amount of funds needed for reagents.
Note: Submissions to this program are made via a third-party software application, SurveyMonkey Apply. The terms of use and privacy statements for this software apply to your use of it and to the information you provide in your application. Before proceeding with your submission, please review their terms and privacy statements linked below.
MPS Seed Grant Program
Overview
The OVPR’s MPS Seed Grant Program is to provide funding support for UConn/UCH researchers to use the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Javelin MPS (microphysiological system or organ-on-a-chip platform), recently acquired thanks to a generous gift by UConn Aluma Jane Hirsh, to generate preliminary data in support of grant submissions.
The OVPR is providing one-time matching funds in response to Ms. Hirsh’s gift because of the strong potential MPS and other new approach methodologies (NAMs) offers for reducing the need for animal studies in human health research and speeding up the development of new therapeutics. The use of MPS and other NAMs in health research is in strong alignment with FDA, NIH, and international efforts to develop ethical, human-specific non-animal methodologies. OVPR offers this seed investment to enable UConn/UCH researchers to effectively leverage these new approaches for high-impact research that can establish the University as a leader in this promising area.
Award Details
The MPS Seed Grant Program will award 8-10 grants up to $25,000 each to cover the experimental costs described below.
Proposed research projects should include the design and the execution of Javelin’s organ-on-a-chip platform studies that address high-value questions such as.
- Population and species differences in metabolism
- Mechanisms of off-target toxicity
- Optimization of dosing regimens using human-relevant models[MM1][MM2]
- Efficacy, ADME, or toxicity assessment for promising therapeutics
Awards include funds to support up to two rounds of experiments. Budgets can only be used to support the following costs:
- Chips from Javelin
- Reagents and other supplies needed to carry out experiments using the Javelin platform
Expected outcomes
- External fund proposals seeking NIH, FDA, and foundation support for alternative testing strategies. Applicants need to name their targeted external funding opportunities and provide details about expected submission timelines.
- Peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations at regional and national meetings focused on MPS and pharmacology.
- Other visible outputs that will reinforce UConn’s reputation as a hub for innovative, ethical drug development science.
Timeline
- Full proposals must be submitted by 4/6 at 12 noon via theUConn Quest Portal(you may be prompted to first log in and then click the link again to access the application)
- Notifications of results will be announced by May 15th, 2026
- Awardees will be announced publicly on the OVPR’s Internal Funding Program website and through UConn Today.
Eligibility
- Lead faculty PI needs to be a UConn/UCH faculty member
- Faculty must be tenure-track, tenured, Research, and in-Residence faculty with Assistant Professor rank or higher with an active research program. Investigators need to have institutionally-funded research time available to devote to the project.
- Faculty may only submit one proposal as lead PI. Investigators may serve as collaborators on multiple projects.
- Multi-PI, interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. Faculty are encouraged to use the School’s website or Lincus, a search engine that will assist in identifying specific faculty expertise at all UConn campuses, including UConn Health. You can also reach out to OVPR Research Development Associate Quinn McAdam at quinn.mcadam@uconn.edu.
Funding Period
Awards will be made for a 6-month period, with the expectation is experiments will be completed within 6 months unless a compelling justification is made by the PI(s) for an alternate funding period. Standard award period will be June 1 to December 31. Projects that are expected to take more than 9 months to complete are not encouraged.
Budget
In the proposal, indicate how many chips are needed and the amount of funds needed for reagents.
Note: Submissions to this program are made via a third-party software application, SurveyMonkey Apply. The terms of use and privacy statements for this software apply to your use of it and to the information you provide in your application. Before proceeding with your submission, please review their terms and privacy statements linked below.