These instructions are intended to guide investigators submitting applications to the Gulf Coast Consortium for Chemical Genomics – Texas Screening Alliance for Cancer Therapeutics joint program through the application web portal. In addition to using this site, you can download a PDF of these instructions.
The project application form is in a controlled access area of the Gulf Coast Consortium for Chemical Genomics – Texas Screening Alliance for Cancer Therapeutics Program Outreach and Information Exchange system. User registration is required to submit a project application to the screening program so members of the Program can contact the investigator as needed throughout the process and to setup user-specific areas to maintain confidentiality.
In order to become a registered user, click the ‘Create Account’ link on the Login page. Registration requires first name, last name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and fax number. An email address is required as this will be the primary form of communication between the Program and the Investigator. A confirmation email will be sent to verify the email address; a reply must be given before access is granted. A password using a minimum of six characters must also be created.
To log in to the application system, provide your email address and password on the login screen.
Each user has a home page in the application system that catalogs all of their applications. There are three separate areas on this page. The first section, entitled ‘My saved applications,’ allows the user to create a new application. It also contains all saved applications that the user has started but not submitted. A user can continue working on a saved application through the 'Review' application button in line with the application title or more simply, each of the project titles acts as a direct link to the application. A saved application can also be removed prior to submission with the 'Delete' button. Once the deletion is confirmed, the application is removed from the system.
The second section of the user’s home page, entitled ‘My submitted applications,’ lists all applications that were successfully submitted to the Program. This section contains a chronological listing of submitted applications and their current review status. Use this section to track the progression of an application through the review process.
The bottom section of the home page, entitled ‘My projects,’ is dedicated to project management. Applications that are approved for screening are assigned unique project numbers and placed in this section. Use this section to track the progression of a project.
Start a new application by clicking on the link “Start a new application” link, located in the top section of the user’s home page. For all applications, there are a number of questions that must be answered before an application can be submitted. The required fields are clearly marked throughout the application as having a nonwhite background and a darker vertical bar on the far left edge of the field. The vertical bars for required fields in the current section in which one is working change color should one move on to another section without completing all of the required fields. The vertical bars also change color if one performs an error check using the ‘Find Submission Errors’ button located at the top of the application. It is possible to save an application, exit the system and then return at a later time to complete the application process as many times as needed.
All information required to complete an application will be submitted using the online application form. No applications will be accepted from any other mechanism. Investigators may enter their information directly into the various text boxes throughout the application or can copy and paste the information into those boxes from another source.
Once a new application is started, only a project title is needed before it can be saved to the system for the first time. One can save their work at any time by pressing the ‘Save’ button located at all times in the frame on the left side of the application creation page. Pressing the ‘Save’ button does not take the user away from the application creation page; thus, one can save their application as often as desired. Pressing the ‘Save’ button also causes an application review to take place. Missing information that is required for submission is highlighted in the completed sections.
Once all of the information required for the type of screen is provided and the application saved, it can be submitted for review. A ‘Submit application’ button replaces the ‘Review application’ button in saved applications section of the users home page. Before submitting the application for review, the investigator should perform a review of their application for entry omissions. By clicking on the ‘Find Submission Errors’ button at the top of the application, a review of the application will occur and those fields that are required for submission but are still incomplete will have their dark vertical bar on the far left side of the line change color. This change in color should draw the attention of the investigator and signify the additional information that needs to be supplied before submission. Once all of the information is provided and no further omissions are found, save the application, return to your home page. Should one need to further edit an application that is ready for submission, the project title serves as a direct link to the application and may be used for this purpose.
Investigators can navigate the application using the links on the left side of the page or by clicking directly on the section titles. The application is designed to allow the user to easily work on one section at a time. There are a number of questions throughout the application that when answered cause additional questions to be revealed. Many times this additional questions request required information.
Project Title: Include the title of the proposed screening project
Is the project CPRIT funded?: If the project is CPRIT funded, include the CPRIT funding number or grant identification number. If the project is not CPRIT funded but funded through another agency, enter the proper identification number; otherwise, include information about plans for funding the costs for consumables and supplies. If funding is pending, then describe the planned funding arrangements.
There are a small number of pro bono projects that will be available each year. These will be highly competitive and directed primarily toward new investigators seeking preliminary data without the resources to carry out such a project in support of proposals that seek further funding. If pro bono funds are requested, check the accompanying box.
Lay Summary: Include a lay summary (maximum 3000 characters) describing the screening project, the desired outcome and what steps will be taken following the successful completion of the screen.
Biosketch: Upload a two-page biosketch in portable document format (pdf).
Screen Type: Select the type of screen requested for this application from the options Small Molecule, siRNA, Combinatorial, and Other. If Other is selected, then provide an additional detailed description of the type of screen being sought.
Screen is designed to detect which of the following?: Select from the options Agonist, Antagonist, Inverse Agonist, or Other. If Other is chosen, then provide an additional detailed description.
Please consolidate any articles to support your project as a zip file and upload it.: Provide literature references supporting your project as a single zip file. These references will be used for both the technical review and the review for scientific merit. Be sure to include all key references. Once a file is attached it can be changed by first selecting a different file from the browse window then saving the application. An associated document can be removed by first checking the ‘Clear’ checkbox then saving the application.
Brief description of the assay target or pathway: Summarize the assay target or pathway for this screening project.
Describe how the information generated by this screen could impact your work: Include information about the significance and potential impact of this screening project.
Outline any deadlines or timelines important to this project: Include information about any deadlines or timelines for this screening project. This is important in determining whether a project can be successfully completed to meet critical deadlines for the investigator. An application cannot be approved if there is no way the project can be completed to meet a critical deadline. Deadlines will also be considered once an application is accepted into the program as the program executive board prioritizes the project queues for each of the screening programs and will take any time constraints into account.
Assay type: Select from the options for assay type: Biochemical, Cell based – Adherent, or Cell based – Nonadherent.