Ancillary Studies

POLICY

SALURBAL is happy to participate in external funding opportunities that are synergistic with or expand the reach of the SALURBAL team and SALURBAL data. 

Any proposals that propose to use SALURBAL data, i.e. data compiled and managed by the SALURBAL Data and Methods Core (DMC), should follow the process detailed below. To ensure timely review proposals it is preferred that Proposals for Externally Funded Ancillary Studies be submitted at least 6 weeks before the proposal due date. This will allow ample time for modifications, budget development and other proposal preparation needs. However, SALURBAL recognizes that this timing will not always be possible and will do its best to review within shorter time frames if possible.

Queries in advance of full proposal development are strongly encouraged.  In cases were an initial pre-proposal is required by the funder a brief proposal may initially be submitted to SALURBAL for review and preliminary approval (see template) but full submission will require approval of the full proposal. 

Any requests for a Letter of Support for a study that is closely aligned with SALURBAL’s aims and will benefit from collaboration with SALURBAL but does not require any SALURBAL data will be considered by the Executive Committee on a case-by-case basis. These requests can be submitted to the SALURBAL Project Manager (Fer Cruz, mc4442@drexel.edu). 

PROCESS

1. An ancillary studies proposal must be submitted to the SALURBAL Executive Committee (EC) by email to the SALURBAL Project Manager (Fer Cruz, mc4442@drexel.edu). See template below. Proposals may be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. All proposals must have a SALURBAL investigator as sponsor and include SALURBAL team members as appropriate to their expertise and potential contributions. 

2. Proposal is reviewed by EC. The EC may request external reviews from members of the SALURBAL team and consult as appropriate. Criteria for review include: (1) scientific quality; (2) appropriateness of the planned use of the SALURBAL data; (3) engagement of appropriate SALURBAL team members; (4) limited overlap with existing SALURBAL work (expanding existing work is acceptable); (5) appropriate financial support for SALURBAL scope of work in the project; and (6) acceptable burden to SALURBAL core resources and hubs.

3. Once the proposal is approved it can be submitted for funding. It is anticipated that in many cases appropriate subcontracts may be necessary.

4. All papers using SALURBAL data derived from ancillary studies must go through the SALURBAL manuscript proposal and paper review process and follow SALURBAL Publications Policies including policies regarding acknowledgements and applicable Wellcome Trust publication policies.

5. Any data generated by the ancillary study that can be linked to SALURBAL units must be sent to the SALURBAL DMC with appropriate documentation at the completion of the ancillary study (when funding ends).  The date by which data must be deposited with SALURBAL will be determined when the project is approved. Justified extensions may be considered by the SALURBAL EC on a case-by-case basis.  Appropriate data use agreements will be signed as necessary to incorporate ancillary study data into the SALURBAL database.

Template for full SALURBAL Externally funded AS proposal: 

Sections 4-6 should be no more than 3 pages

1. Title

2. Funding opportunity and due date

3. PI or MPIS and co investigators with institutions

4. Background and rationale (2-3 paragraphs)

5. Specific aims, research questions and hypotheses

6. Methods: overview of data and analytical methods

7. Specific questions

   1. What SALURBAL data will you need? Be as detailed as possible (data and time and geography)

   2. What additional data will you need SALURBAL to compile? Be as detailed as possible (data and time and geography)

   3. What data will you generate that can subsequently be linked to the SALURBAL database?

8. Detailed scope of work for SALURBAL team (core and/or hubs as appropriate)

9. Draft budget indicating SALURBAL support.

Abbreviated template (for pre-proposals)

1. Title

2. Funding opportunity and due date

3. PI or MPIS and co investigators with institutions

4. Proposal summary (one page): Background and rationale, Specific aims, research questions and hypotheses, summary of methods

5. Specific questions

   1. What SALURBAL data will you need? 

   2. Do you anticipate that SALURBAL will need to compile any additional data to support this project? If yes, briefly describe. 

   3. What data will you generate that can subsequently be linked to the SALURBAL database?