During 2014, the ASPET Council introduced the ASPET BIG IDEAS initiative as a method of reinvesting in our membership and the discipline of pharmacology. The goal of the BIG IDEAS initiative was to let our members take the lead and not only suggest ideas, but directly participate in projects that would benefit the society and the discipline of pharmacology.

Responding to recent healthy ASPET financial reports, Council acted to fund the BIG IDEAS initiative. While we are always concerned about maintaining appropriate reserves and saving for long term and/or unexpected expenses, we recognized that we have an opportunity to invest funds into member-led projects for the greater benefit of the society.

The initial BIG IDEAS initiative was a tremendous success and three projects were selected for funding. These projects are currently in the initial phases of activity and will be ongoing for the next several years. The hope is that these projects will grow into permanent programs and benefit ASPET members for many years to come.

At the annual ASPET Business Meeting in March, 2015, Dr. Annette Fleckenstein announced the second cycle of the ASPET BIG IDEAS initiative (BIG IDEAS II). Once again, we are asking members to put forward their best ideas for projects. The requirements for these projects are that they:

• Have broad appeal to ASPET membership
• Have long term positive impact on the discipline of pharmacology or on ASPET membership
• Are creative and transformative for ASPET
• Invest in the future of ASPET

The ASPET Council has targeted up to $1.5 million to support the BIG IDEAS initiative over the next several cycles. The initial BIG IDEAS initiative received 26 one-page proposals in Round #1. Eleven of these early proposals were asked to submit four-page proposals for Round #2 and ultimately three proposals with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 were selected for funding.

How to Submit a Proposal for the ASPET BIG IDEAS II Initiative

Round #1

The first step is to submit an initial one (1) page proposal to Judy Siuciak (jsiuciak@aspet.org) no later than Monday, September 28th, 2015 (5 PM ET).

The ASPET Council will be reviewing these proposals at their Fall Council meeting in October, 2015. Proposals can come from divisions, committees, or from individual ASPET members. The ASPET Council will review all submissions and select the best ideas to explore further in Round #2. Please note that proposals for new ASPET scientific achievement or division awards will not be considered for the BIG IDEAS II initiative.

Proposals submitted for Round #1 should not exceed 1 page using a standard 10 pt font. Please submit the documents using Microsoft Word. The proposals should contain the following information:

• A brief summary of your BIG IDEA 
• Who will be needed to initiate, administer, and complete the work, including any potential ASPET staff member involvement
• A proposed time frame to initiate the project, as well as the proposed duration of the project once it is up and running
• An estimated budget (note ASPET will not support indirect costs)
• A brief statement of how this project meets the requirements mentioned above and how the proposal will have a long-term impact beyond the duration of funding

Round #2

If your proposal is selected for further development, you will receive a request by Friday, November 13th, 2015 to submit a more detailed proposal and to present your project in person at a future ASPET Council meeting. Additional details for the Round #2 proposals, including the required format and any specific feedback from Council will be provided in the request.

The deadline for submission of the Round #2 proposals is Tuesday, March 1st, 2016 (5 PM ET). In order to assist you with the preparation of your proposal, the ASPET office staff will be happy to pre-review submissions and provide you with feedback, provided the proposals are received no later than February 8th, 2016.

The ASPET Council will be reviewing Round #2 proposals at their Council meeting, scheduled for Friday, April 1st, 2016, held during the ASPET Annual Meeting at EB 2016 in San Diego, CA. Submitters are requested to attend the Council meeting on April 1st, 2016 to discuss their proposals with Council. ASPET will provide support for an additional night of hotel cost to support attending the Council meeting at EB 2016.

Please note that submission of a proposal to the ASPET BIG IDEAS II initiative does not guarantee funding.

Please do not hesitate to contact Judy Siuciak if you have any questions.

ASPET BIG IDEAS II Initiative Timeline

• June 9th, 2015 – Launch of the BIG IDEAS II campaign
• September 28th, 2015 – Submission deadline for Round #1
• October 2015 – Review Round 1 ideas at the Fall Council meeting
• November 13th, 2015 – Notifications to submitters selected for Round 2
• February 8th, 2016 – Deadline for submission of Round #2 proposals for pre-review
• March 1st, 2016 – Deadline for submission of Round #2 final proposals
• April 1st, 2016 – Round #2 proposals reviewed at EB 2016 Council meeting