The Michigan Medicine-PKUHSC Joint Institute for Translational and Clinical Research was officially launched in October 2010 with a combined commitment of $14M for joint research projects on diseases that are important to the U.S. and China. In October 2015, the Memorandum of Understanding between Michigan Medicine and PKUHSC was renewed for another five years.

In the initial phase, research programs focused on pulmonary, cardiovascular, liver, renal diseases, cancer, and precision health.  The JI 2.0 strategies and priorities have now shifted from the organ-based programs to science themed research that focuses on cancer, brain science, data science, and reproductive health.  While these remain the major focus of the JI, the Executive Board is also extending the opportunity to scientists from other disciplines who seek to establish robust collaborations between the institutions. The goal is to foster transformative science and secure future extramural funding. Priority is given to the faculty with the established collaborations and demonstrated significant collaborative research outcomes. Proposals that align or inform clinical research will be favored. Successful proposals will be those that leverage the unique strengths of each university that are difficult for either Michigan Medicine or PKUHSC is able to pursue alone. 

Funding for all awards originate equally from Michigan Medicine and PKUHSC with the intent that the respective amounts will be spent within the originating country.  There are two types of awards this year:

Discovery Awards:

• Funding level: up to $100,000/year ($50,000/year from PKUHSC, $50,000/year from Michigan Medicine) for two years. 
• Purpose: to promote collaborations that have yet to be fully established. 

Innovation Bridge Awards: 

• Funding Level: up to $100,000/year ($50,000/year from PKUHSC, $50,000/year from Michigan Medicine) for one year. 

• Purpose: to support partnership between the investigators to further develop their innovative technologies and to accelerate translation of research into product. This award category will be evaluated by the potential success of technology commercialization. 

• Michigan Medicine: full-time faculty from Michigan Medicine or from health science schools (note: cost sharing is expected from schools outside of Michigan Medicine to obtain matching support from the U-M Vice President’s office).
• PKUHSC: full-time faculty who does not currently hold another active grant.

Submission for Letters of Intent (LOI): November 20, 2024

Notification to Submit a Full Application: December 18, 2024

Submission for Full Proposals: February 12, 2025

Notice of Award: May 2025