As part of the 2025 COBRA Young Investigators Meeting at UC Davis, students and postdoctoral scholars in the field of radiation detection and nuclear imaging are invited to join a research proposal competition. 

We are seeking original research proposals. Your idea does not have to be polished, and you are not required to present preliminary data. The proposals will be scored based on originality and novelty. Preference will be given to inter-institutional teams to further the collaborative spirit of COBRA, and secondarily to interdisciplinary teams from the same institution.

Aim

To encourage collaboration between radiation detection and nuclear imaging researchers from different disciplines and/or different institutions throughout the Northern California region and inspire future proposals for grant funding. 

Award Information

The highest-scoring proposal will be awarded a cash prize of $500 to be split between the submitting authors. The winners are strongly encouraged to develop their idea and/or present it at the next COBRA meeting.

Eligibility

This call is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars to submit proposals. Project scientists, researchers, and professors may serve in advisory roles but are not eligible to receive the award. Proposals may be submitted by inter-institutional teams, interdisciplinary teams from the same institution, or individual researchers. Individuals may only be listed on one submitted proposal.

Format 

Your proposal should consist of an abstract (250 words limit), a 1-page specific aims section, and 1 page containing key figures/tables. You can think of it as a starting point that can be built up to a full NIH R01, R21, R03, F31 (predoctoral) or F32 (postdoctoral) proposal, or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) proposal if you are a graduate student. 

Here is how NIH describe the content of the specific aims section: 

State concisely the goals of the proposed research and summarize the expected outcome(s), including the impact that the results of the proposed research will have on the research field(s) involved. List succinctly the specific objectives of the research proposed (e.g., to test a stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology).

Consider what resources and expertise are needed for the proposed work, and whether any of them are available at other COBRA institutions. 

Scoring Review Criteria

The evaluation will be based on the following criteria, which are similar to criteria used for NIH submissions: 

1. Significance: Does the proposal address current scientific challenges and opportunities, either for advancing knowledge within the field or more broadly? 

2. Innovation: Does the proposed work apply novel concepts, methods, or technologies or use existing concepts, methods, technologies in novel ways, to enhance the overall impact of the project?

3. Approach: Is the proposed approach sound and achievable? If the feasibility of the proposed study is less certain, is it sufficiently balanced by the potential for major advances?

4. Team: Does the proposal include interdisciplinary or inter-institutional collaboration? Does each team member add unique and necessary expertise or capabilities?

Confidentiality

The review process will be blinded. The organizers and reviewers will keep the contents they handle confidential, and all proposals will be discarded (electronically and physically) after the review process is completed.  

Timeline

The proposals and all supporting materials are due at 11:59 pm (Pacific time) on March 14, 2025. Please use this form to submit your proposal. The results will be announced in May.