The goal of the USF NSC is to accelerate progress in USF neuroscience research by facilitating the creation, development, and support of translational research clusters (TRCs) with the following mechanisms:

Collaboration: Identifying and connecting faculty with shared interests from across the entire University to collaborate on novel and innovative research projects.

Funding: Identifying and creating funding opportunities for collaborators both from within and outside of USF.

Strategic Planning: Guiding developing TRCs from inception through successful development, and on to ultimate sustainability.

Through funds provided jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Medicine, 13 grants were made available to USF faculty.

The Grant Program

In Phase I (asset mapping), the NSC administered a University-wide survey which identified approximately 200 researchers at USF and the James A. Haley VA Hospital who were interested in becoming members of the USF NSC. Based upon the principle interests declared by individual faculty in the survey, clusters of shared interest were identified. Approximately 56% of the respondents identified their principle interest in one of the top six primary clusters. This grant program, which provided funding for new collaborative research programs, marked the start of Phase II.

The principal investigators (at least 2) were new collaborators, defined as: Researchers who have not co-authored a paper reporting the results of a joint research project in the topic area of the submission within the past 5 years. Collaborations involving researchers from different departments and different colleges were given higher priority for funding than projects involving collaborations within the same departments and colleges. Principal Investigators were to hold USF faculty appointments for all grants except:

1. USF-Industry Collaborative Award, which would include at least one USF faculty member and an industry partner.


2. USF-Veterans Affairs Collaborative Award, which included at least one USF faculty member as a Principal Investigator, but could include a second Principal Investigator appointed at the VA without a concurrent USF appointment.

1) Primary Cluster Seed Grants	($50,000/year for two years)
This project met the Shared Criteria AND involved a project from one of the following six primary clusters: Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease, Mood Disorders/Addiction Medicine, Movement Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke. One award was granted in each of the six primary cluster areas, and was contingent upon receipt of at least one application in each area deemed sufficiently meritorious by external review.
2) Secondary Cluster Seed Grants	($50,000/year for two years)
This project met the Shared Criteria AND involved a project area outside of the six primary clusters. Two awards were granted to projects in topic areas outside the primary cluster areas, and were contingent upon receipt of applications deemed sufficiently meritorious by external review.
3) Young Investigator Collaborative Grant	($50,000/year for two years)
This project met the Shared Criteria AND included a faculty member at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level, who is no more than 5 years from completion of training, as one of two Principal Investigators. One Young Investigator Award was granted, and was contingent upon at least one application submitted that was deemed sufficiently meritorious by external review.
4) USF-Industry Collaborative Grant	($25,000/year for two years)
This project met the Shared Criteria AND included a project with an industry partner AND included matching funding from the industry partner. One USF-Industry Collaborative award will be granted, contingent upon at least one application submitted that is deemed sufficiently meritorious by external review.
5) USF-VA Collaborative Grants	($25,000/year for two years)
This project met the Shared Criteria AND addressed research on the nervous system designed to improve the health and quality of life of veterr for two years) ans. Projects that included matching funds from the VA were given greater priority for funding. Two USF-VA Collaborative awards were granted, and were contingent upon receipt of applications deemed sufficiently meritorious by external review.
6) Collaborative Workshop/Symposium Grants	($25,000/workshop; one -time awards)
This grant supported a Scientific Workshop initiated by USF faculty, which included a group of USF and non-USF investigators, for the purpose of developing high caliber scientific collaborative projects and grant proposals. Two awards were granted, and were contingent upon receipt of applications deemed sufficiently meritorious by external review.

Joining NSC

Becoming a member of the USF Neuroscience Collaborative is a simple process that requires the following:

1. Interest in Neuroscience Research
2. Appointment at USF, the VA, or Moffitt
3. Completing the Application Form