About Affinity Research Collaboratives (ARCs)
The Process
Pre-ARC
A pre-ARC assembly is required as it allows a group to explore in more depth a research theme via meetings or workshops prior to applying for an ARC status and funding. During the pre-ARC phase, investigators approach Dr. Ravid with a suggested theme (at times, also vice versa), and Dr. Ravid meets with the group several times.
Funding is available for pre-ARCs to organize meetings and seminars over a period of about six months.
Pre-ARC to ARC
Following self selection the pre-ARC decides, often in consultation with Dr. Ravid, whether to submit an ARC application (available in ECIBR or IBRO web sites.
Applications are due in May each year. An ARC review panel, consisting of 9-12 senior investigators reviews and scores applications using NIH scaling. Reviewers are selected based on expertise in ARC research topics and in consultation with other BU leadership. Applicants are notified within 2 weeks, including constructive critiques.
ARC status and funding
Once an ARC receives a high score, it is funded for a year. Funding has ranged from 50-75K per year per ARC, depending on careful justification. Yearly reports are submitted and funding can be renewed for up to 3 years pending yearly review with a rigorous set of criteria.
Graduated ARC to ARC-Program
Graduated ARCs can become ARC programs based on securing extramural funding, and through this ARC-Program status a new field of research is created at BU. Some funding is available to such successful ARC-programs for organizing a research retreat and workshops.
Form a new ARC?
Members of a graduated ARC could assemble a new ARC, if the theme is novel and innovative.
Key Elements of an ARC
Metrics
Yearly evaluation of ARCs is based on:
- Scholarly output
- Relatively new (at BU) research areas and grouping
- New grant proposals, including training grants
- Faculty and trainee research networking monitored by IBRO using research network analysis
- Collaborative work with the CTSI towards development of new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches
Research Plan
Each ARC should have a research plan that:
- Is a compelling biomedical problem
- Reflects an interdisciplinary approach to a new area and includes plans for internal and external research interaction and communications
- Has potential to endure beyond an initial three-year funding period
- Is the highest quality science
- Has a training component
- Could lead to additional collaborations in and outside BU
- Does not duplicate an exciting center, unit of program
IBRO ARC Leadership
IBRO expects co-leadership of faculty from MED and CR campuses.
Interdisciplinary
ARC consists of at least 5 active investigators and need faculty from 3 or more BU departments and at least one department from the CRC and Medical Campuses of BU, including DOM. Past ARCs usually ranged between 7 to 21 members.