Proposals
The proposal consists of
 Scientific Narrative (limited to 1,000 words and up to three figures), which should include:
 Abstract
 Specific aims/questions
 Justification for using AIC instruments
 Preliminary data
 Experimental Design
 Cited bibliography
 Biosketches
Eligibility
This program is open to investigators at non-profit institutions within the United States as well as those
abroad, as long as authorized international travel can be arranged. Applicant’s association with the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute is not a requirement for eligibility.
Proposal Review
All proposals are evaluated using a two-tier review process. The first tier is a pre-screening process by
the AIC scientists to determine technical appropriateness and feasibility. The panel will determine
whether (i) the experimental design suits the capabilities of the AIC instruments, (ii) the need for the
AIC instrument is technically justified, and (iii) the biospecimen can be safely handled by Janelia’s
capacity (we can only receive and handle up to BSL2 samples). A pass/fail score will be assigned
following the first tier review. The second tier is a peer review of proposals against established criteria
for determining scientific merit. The panel will include representatives from HHMI Janelia, Gordon and
Betty Moore Foundation, as well as invited extramural imaging experts.
Review Criteria
 Research strategy
o How well the scientific rationale supports the project
o How the experimental question justifies the use of the AIC instruments
o Preliminary data showing that commercially available imaging technologies cannot address
the proposed question
o How well the applicant acknowledges potential problems and addresses alternative
approaches
o Whether the proposal is of sufficient focus to be completed efficiently within a reasonable
amount of time

Impact
o Is the project merely seeking incremental data refinement compared to what can be
visualized through commercial instruments?
o Will the proposed project bring novel information and high impact publications?
o Are the applicant’s background, productivity, and expertise appropriate to accomplish the
proposed work – with the assistance of the AIC staff scientists?

Personnel
o How the experience of the designated visitor will help in accomplishing the goals of the
proposal with the full assistance of AIC staff scientists. Sending a novice with little
experience in microscopy to the AIC to help execute the proposed project is strongly
discouraged. Biosketch in NIH format for each visiting scientist is required.

Budget
o Budget will not be considered as a factor in the proposal since Janelia will cover all
experimental and lodging expenses related to the visit. The applicant should confirm that
they would support travel costs for the personnel who will visit Janelia for the research work.
Meals will not be covered by this program, although food can be purchased at Janelia at
visitor’s own expense.
Submitting the Proposals
Arrange the files in the following order and convert them into one single PDF:
 Title Page
 Proposal
 Cited bibliography
 Biosketches
Name your file as lastname_first initial_AIC201402. For example, if your name is John Smith, your file
should be saved as smith_j_AIC201402.pdf
Follow the step-by-step procedure on this submission site and complete the information at each step. It
is important that you provide us detailed information about your experimental parameters, fluorescent
dyes, and specimens to be used. We may contact you for clarification if we think your specimens may
pose logistical/technical issues prior to proposal review.
Questions about the proposal submission can be directed to [email protected]
Notification of Review Results
 Priority scores of 1-9 will be assigned. Proposals with priority score of 1 will have the first pick of
visitation dates.
 Successful applicants will then be contacted by the AIC to schedule for visitation, and arrange
for specimen delivery and handling.