Spark Award FAQ
FAQs
Frequently Asked questions below. Please contact CTSI-Spark@osumc.edu with any additional questions.
Eligibility Questions
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No, the Spark Awards are intended for researchers on the Faculty Academic Track.
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No, the Spark Awards are intended for researchers on the Faculty Academic Track.
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No, you cannot. The CTSI can only fund Spark Awards to researchers who have not already received CTSI funding for the current award cycle. However, you may be able to apply next year!
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If your study involves human subjects research, you must present evidence of IRB approval before you receive the Spark Award. Note that “exempt” projects must still receive approval by the IRB. If your project is considered “non-human subjects research”, you must provide a nonhuman subjects determination from the IRB.
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Yes. Prior to receiving a Spark award, awardees must fulfill the institutional, CTSI, IRB and IBC requirements, which may include:
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The Spark Awards program is specifically designed to fund projects that will support a future grant application or major scientific initiatives. Examples of common proposals:
- Biostatistical analysis of an existing data set
- Analysis of hospital discharge data
- Prospective collection of patient data as part of a new registry
- Execution of pilot research protocol on patients using the Clinical Research Center
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At this time the Spark Award is focusing on the following types of services: Biostatistical, Data Access, Data Management Services, Informatics and Clinical Research Services. Please refer to the RFA for a full list of services that can be funded with the Spark Award.
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No. Basic Science and Preclinical Projects are not being funded with the Spark award at this time. This includes animal model testing and in vitro laboratory testing.
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No, because the Spark Awards are funded by the CTSI through NCATS funding, we are not able to provide funding for projects that would result in a foreign component.
This includes research involving human subjects or vertebrate animals at a foreign sites, foreign travel by a recipient project staff for the purpose of data collection, surveying, or sampling and similar activities or any activity of the recipient that may have an impact on U.S. foreign policy through involvement in the affairs or environment of a foreign country. Other items may include collaborations with investigators at a foreign site that are anticipated to result in co-authorship, use of facilities or instrumentation at a foreign site, receipt of financial support or resources from a foreign entity.
Application Questions
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- Ensure you have completed a MyCTSI Profile
- Contact the proposed core service and obtain a cost calculation (budget estimate) for the project. Your cost calculation must be completed before submitting your application. CTSI Cost Calculation Template (Word Document)
- Complete the Spark application form. Make sure to answer all questions and attach your cost calculation as a PDF. CTSI Spark Award Application
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- Identify which core service is right for your project from the RFA.
- Contact the core service using the contact information provided on the RFA to request a cost calculation for your project. Provide information on the type of support you are looking for and background information for your project.
- Once you have received the completed cost calculation save this as a PDF and upload it into the REDCap Intake form
- After filling out all fields submit your completed Spark Award Application
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You should receive approval or disapproval of the award within about 3-4 weeks of your application being submitted. This is contingent upon responding to any modifications or clarifications requested by the reviewers.
Award Questions
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If you are applying for a collaborative grant between two or more colleges or institutions (Ohio State and Nationwide Children's Hospital), then you may be awarded up to $5,000
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If your services are not completed by July 31 your award will be voided, and you will not be eligible to receive the award for this funding cycle. You will still be eligible to receive a new award during the next funding cycle.
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Your core service will complete the service then send an invoice to the CTSI for the work completed. The CTSI will pay the core service provider directly. The CTSI can only pay the core services listed on the RFA. If we do not receive an invoice from the core service in a timely manner, we may not be able to pay for the service.
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Invoices must be received by August 31. If we do not receive your invoice by August 31, 2025, you will forfeit your award. Extensions are not allowed.
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Yes, we ask that you fill out this survey so we can continue to improve our award process and so that we can report information from this award to NCATS.
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Yes, since you were awarded funds to help with your research you must cite the CTSI grant. Insert this text in all abstracts, presentation and manuscripts resulting from the Spark Award.
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You are responsible for project expenses that exceed the Spark Award.
Core Service Questions
Yes, if the core service falls under one of the following types of services: Biostatistical, Data Access, Data Management Services, Informatics and Clinical Research Services.
Services related to animal models, laboratory/genetic testing, or biobanking cannot be added as an approved core service at this time.
To be considered as a Spark Award Core Service, core service providers can fill out this application.