Direct Grant Letter of Intent “LOI” Guidelines

What is the purpose of the Direct Grant Program?

Atlanta-based Enduring Hearts (EH) launched in 2013 with a mission to fund research to increase longevity and improve the quality of life for pediatric heart transplant recipients.  

What are the specific areas of research that will be considered for funding?

Enduring Hearts seeks to fund projects for up to 2 years that have a combination of the best science, innovation, and potential for impact. Optional third year for clinical studies must be applied for at the time of application.  For more details about specific mission aligned research priorities and frequently asked questions (FAQs) please visit Direct Grants FAQs.

2024 LOI Process and Schedule

  • May 1, 2024 – Call for proposal: LOI application open
  • June 17, 2024 – Letter of Intent due by 5:00pm ET
  • July 26, 2024 – Full Proposal Invitation sent
  • September 23, 2024 – Full Application (invite only) due by 5:00pm ET
  • December 15, 2024 – Applicants notified  
  • January 2025 – Funds released for awardees

The LOIs are due on June 17, 2024.  Invitations to submit a full application will be sent on July 26, 2024.

Award Amount

The Direct Grant Award will fund $25,000-$150,000, including indirect costs, for two (2) years. Optional third year for clinical studies must be applied for at the time of application.

All applicants for the Direct Grant Award must submit an LOI through our online application portal:  Apply Here

Instructions:

LOIs should be single-spaced and formatted in 11-point font with 1-inch margins. All applicants will first submit an LOI to be reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee, which consists of experienced investigators, and lay reviewers.

Applicants will be notified via email if they are invited to submit a full application.  

The LOI itself is limited to two (2) pages maximum. Areas of research in pediatric heart transplant that with Enduring Hearts priorities.

LOI must include:

1.     Identifiers

Title of project

Name, address, email, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator(s)*

Names, titles, and institution of other key personnel – ex. mentors

List of participating institution(s) including address

2.     Lay summary

1/2 - 2/3 page

The applicant should be aware that lay reviewers are involved in the review and scoring process. Describe your work in a way that it will be understood by people who do not have scientific or medical backgrounds. Be clear and avoid technical and scientific terms when possible. It might help to imagine that you are explaining your work to a new acquaintance who does not work in the science field. (Between a 10th and 12th grade level)

3.     Research Project

1 – 1.5 pages

Scientific summary, including key details, such as a brief background and rationale, hypothesis, specific aims, summary of methods, data sources and anticipated results section that includes significance and alignment with EH priority(s) listed below.  Refer to the FAQs site for a more in-depth description of EH priorities.

  1. Improving longevity and quality of post heart transplant life by reducing/eliminating rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV).
  1. Validation and implementation of evidence-based strategies to improve longevity of adolescent recipients.
  1. Identify and develop pre-transplant strategies, innovations or new technologies for children waiting for, and/or immediately following, a heart transplant that would improve post-transplant longevity.
    1. Indicate whether the project will be basic science, translational, or clinical (or some combination thereof).
    2. Anticipated impact and prospects for future funding sources.
    3. A graphical depiction of your proposed research approach

*The PI (only) should also submit his/her NIH bio-sketch (up to 4 pages; not counted in the 2-page LOI limit).

LETTER OF INTENT should not include proprietary information as it will be made available to members of the EH Board.

For assistance with Proposal Central, their help center information is below:

  • 8:30am - 5:00pm Eastern Time (Monday through Friday)
  • by phone (toll-free): 800 875 2562 (Toll-free U.S. and Canada) by or +1 703-964-5840 (Direct Dial International)  
  • by email: pcsupport@altum.com