Opportunities

About the AIMRC

The AIMRC is focused on understanding the role of cell and tissue metabolism in disease, development, and repair through research involving advanced imaging, bioenergetics, and data science.

Our thematic, interdisciplinary Center brings together faculty from 8 departments across 5 colleges and 2 institutions to study a range of biomedical applications involving metabolism. We have an administrative core, and three research cores: the Bioenergetics Core, the Imaging and Spectroscopy Core, and the Data Science Core – each with its own Core Director(s) and technical staff.

Membership

AIMRC membership broadly consists of principal investigators (PIs) who conduct research aligned with the goals of the AIMRC and the NIH COBRE.  PIs receiving AIMRC funding support automatically qualify as full members.  Full membership is also granted for PIs who submit external research proposals through the AIMRC or engage in service to the AIMRC.  Affiliate membership is also granted to any faculty, student, or staff who wishes to be notified of AIMRC-related events.

PIs that qualify for full membership receive a number of benefits including:

• AIMRC-subsidized core services, including lower COBRE-assisted core equipment user fees and/or free support from AIMRC-funded core directors and staff.
• Access to unique funding opportunities and grant supplements available to the AIMRC.
• Opportunity to network and collaborate with national metabolism experts.
• Pre-award proposal submission support on grants submitted through the center, including:
  • Full-service proposal development support and administration
  • Letters of support detailing AIMRC resources and support
  • Opportunities for AIMRC cost-sharing in support of grant activities
  • Mock review panels for R01 or R01-equivalent submissions (Available upon request)

The AIMRC has supported a variety of NIH research proposal submissions, including R01, R15, R21, and R35 proposals. We have also supported submissions to other agencies and foundations (e.g., NSF, DOD, AHA, LCRF), as well as SBIR/STTR proposals, and fellowship or career development grants. To join the AIMC or request more information on membership, please contact us.

The AIMRC provides opportunities for research funding and professional development.

Funding

AIMRC Seeks Applications from Potential Research Project Leaders

The Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) is pleased to announce a Call for Proposals to provide funding support to new Research Project Leaders.

The AIMRC intends to provide $150,000/year in total direct costs for up to three years to support basic and translational research projects in cell and tissue metabolism using the AIMRC Bioenergetics Core, Imaging and Spectroscopy Core, and/or Data Science Core, and to enable the acquisition of preliminary data for an R01 or equivalent federal grant application.

The call outlines a two-step process.  Tenure-track faculty are invited to submit pre-application documents by October 1, 2024, and up to three applicants will be selected to submit full proposals by November 1, 2024.  Funding will be available in Phase I and selected applicants will also be part of the AIMRC Phase II renewal to be submitted in May 2025.  

In addition to receiving significant funding, AIMRC Research Project Leaders (RPLs) enter into a mentored faculty development program and receive extensive proposal development support. RPLs are expected to submit a competitive R01 application based on their funded research project within their second year with the AIMRC. 

For more information about this specific funding opportunity, please contact the AIMRC’s Managing Director, Kimberley Fuller.

Download the call here.

Pilot Project Funding: The AIMRC also provides annual funding for innovative Pilot Projects ($25,000-$50,000 per project) and a call for proposals is disseminated each spring. Pilot Project applications from investigators at any career stage are welcome, but funds are limited to University of Arkansas – Fayetteville investigators. To be notified of our call for pilot project proposals or discuss your application with the Administrative Core Team, please contact us.

Recruitment: We support the recruitment of new faculty with promising careers in metabolic research through supplements to startup funding. Prospective faculty candidates interested in metabolic research are encouraged to contact us to be notified about job openings and/or recruitment funding opportunities.