CAIRIBU
Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology

CAIRIBU Opportunities and Awards

Research Training and Development Grants

  • For travel-related expenses (e.g., ground or air transportation, lodging, per diems) associated with training for the purpose of advancing the benign urology research capacity of a CAIRIBU Center or Program, an individual in a CAIRIBU Center or Program, or an individual from the broader benign urology research community – up to $3,500 per award is available
    • Examples may include:
      • Spending several days with an expert from a CAIRIBU Center or Program (or, for those within a CAIRIBU Center or Program, from some other expert) to learn some experimental technique or process
      • Participating in a “hands-on” training session or workshop related to the trainee’s work or career
      • Some other educational experience directly related to the applicant’s benign urology research program or career
  • While applications from investigators at any career stage are welcome, those from early investigators, trainees, and research staff will be prioritized
  • For more information, contact Dr. Kristina Penniston, director of interactions for NIDDK CAIRIBU Centers and Programs (penn@urology.wisc.edu)

View the CAIRIBU Interactions Core Research Training & Development Grant description and application – 2025

Conference & Data Dissemination Grants – Early Investigators & Students

  • Awardees may receive up to $2,000/event for travel-related expenses (e.g., transportation, lodging and meals) and meeting registration fees for virtual or in person conferences
  • Each O’Brien Urology Center, P20 Developmental Program, or K12 Career Development Program has access to funds from the CAIRIBU Interactions Core to award up to 3 travel grants per event
  • As announcements for individual CAIRIBU Center or Program events are made, watch for details about applying
  • For general information, contact Dr. Kristina Penniston, director of interactions for NIDDK CAIRIBU Centers and Programs (penn@urology.wisc.edu)

View the CAIRIBU Interactions Core Conference and Data Dissemination award description

U54 O’Brien Centers Opportunity Pool Awards

  • These awards are for early stage investigators OR established investigators not previously involved in benign genitourinary research. Awards should be integrated within the overall research goals of a current O’Brien Urology Center and, where possible, make use of existing Biomedical Cores or other resources at the parent Center.
  • This program seeks to encourage interactions between the O’Brien Urology Centers and the broader research community. Goals include: (1) Increase the capacity of the urology research community by leveraging existing Urology Center resources; and (2) Support generation of preliminary data that can be used for future grant applications
  • Depending on funds available, applicants may request up to $100,000 Direct Costs each year for a maximum Project Period of two years.
  • For more information and to discuss funding and other details, contact the PI of the U54 O’Brien Urology Center with whom the proposal is aligned:
    • University of Wisconsin-Madison – William Ricke, PhD (rickew@urology.wisc.edu)
    • Columbia University – Cathy Mendelsohn, PhD (clm20@cumc.columbia.edu); Ali Gharavi, MD (ag2239@columbia.edu); Jonathan Barasch, MD, PhD (jmb4@columbia.edu), Columbia University; Anne-Catrin Uhlemann, MD, PhD (au2110@cumc.columbia.edu)
    • Stanford University – James Brooks, MD (jbrooks1@stanford.edu)

View the complete instructions for the Opportunity Pool Award. Included are details on the application process and sample NIH application and budget pages.

CAIRIBU Collaboration Award Recipients

Henry Schreiber, PhD

Henry Schreiber, PhD is the December 2023 Recipient of the CAIRIBU Collaboration award for his proposal, "Modeling multiple sclerosis-induced susceptibilities to urinary tract infection in mice".

Catherine Brownstein, PhD, MPH, MEM

Catherine Brownstein, PhD, MPH, MEM is the February 2023 award recipient for her proposal, "Inclusion of minorities in studies of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome".

Betsy Salazar, PhD

Betsy Salazar, PhD, is the 2022 Recipient of the CAIRIBU Collaboration award for her proposal, "Characterization of spinal neural networks involved in the control of the lower urinary tract: a novel spinal fMRI feasibility trial".

Ramy Goueli, MD, MHS

Ramy Goueli, MD, MHS is the August 2023 Recipient of the CAIRIBU Collaboration award for his proposal, "Neuroendocrine cells function in the aging human female urethra".

LaTasha Crawford, VMD, PhD, DACVP

LaTasha Crawford, VMD, PhD, DACVP is the February 2023 award recipient for, "An ex vivo platform for the study of sensory neuroplasticity as a link between bladder disease and referred pain".

Nazema Siddiqui, MD, MHSc

Nazema Siddiqui, MD, MHSc, is the 2022 Recipient of the CAIRIBU Collaboration award for her proposal, "Development of humanized mouse models for studies of the urogenital microbiome".

Rose Khavari, MD

Rose Khavari, MD, PhD is the August 2023 award recipient for the "Optimization of onabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) injection for the treatment of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction".

Alejandro Roldán-Alzate, PhD, MS

Alejandro Roldán-Alzate, PhD, MS, is the February 2023 Recipient of the CAIRIBU Collaboration award for his proposal, "A multidisciplinary, non-invasive assessment of the bladder response to filling".

2021 CAIRIBU Collaboration Award Recipients

Maryellen Kelly, DPNP, CPNP, MHSc, Tatyana Sysoeva, PhD, Lisa Karstens, PhD, MBI, and Teresa Liu, PhD are the 2021 Recipient of the CAIRIBU Collaboration award.