Concept papers are due June 1 and December 1 of each year. If these dates fall on a weekend, the papers are due the next business day. Determination of interest is generally made within two weeks. Notification will be made to the contacts provided via email.

The Concept paper provides a brief summary of the project, enabling the Foundation to assess how well the proposed research fits with the Foundation’s interests. Papers will be evaluated to determine the relevance of the proposed project to the Foundation’s programs and to provide advice on whether to submit a full proposal.

The concept paper should be written in lay terms. Concept papers must include a cover letter, contact page, and 2-page concept (12 point type).

• The cover letter should be written by a senior officer of the applying organization or from the department chair to which the principal investigator is assigned. The letter should include a brief introduction to the investigator(s), the goals of their research and why they believe this project is a fit with The Gerber Foundation.
• The contact page should include at least a primary and secondary contact with name, title, address, phone, fax, and email contact information.
• The concept paper (2 pages) should include the following:
• Administrative information
• Project title
• Principal investigator
• Length of study (Maximum 3 years)
• Estimated total cost (Does not need to be itemized)
• Number of subjects to be studied
• Age range of subjects
• Hypothesis(es) and objectives: State the specific hypothesis(es) to be tested. Describe objectives or aims of the proposed research.
• Study design: Describe the basic design of the study, including information about study groups, measures and sample collection, time points of collection, and primary outcomes to be evaluated. This is the most important section and should be the primary focus of the concept paper.
• Potential impact: Describe how results will benefit clinical practice and provide a projection of the number of years before findings may result in significant changes in practice. Describe how expected outcomes will improve the health and nutrition of infants and young children.
• Scientific references are not required for the concept paper.
• Concept papers may be submitted by:
• Email to tgf@ncresa.org in a Word or PDF format
• Fax to 231.924.7906
• Online
• Mail to: The Gerber Foundation, 4747 West 48th Street, Suite 153, Fremont, MI 49412

Individuals seeking assistance with their concept paper may contact the Foundation at any time at 231.924.3175.