CBCS - user guidelines

All projects together with CBCS start with an informal meeting, web-based or at our core facility, to discuss the background and objectives of the project. After that, we will guide you toward the next step in the process.

How to work with us?

CBCS works according to a collaborative research model based on a mutual commitment from our group and the involved Investigator. Our collaborations range from limited consultations and open-access instrumentation to complex, full-scale projects spanning several years from start to finish. No service is too small, and no challenge is too great. Smaller projects and actions requiring limited time and resources can usually be accommodated quickly and without a formal application review.

For larger projects an application to our project review committee, an external independent review panel, is required. This call for support is due twice a year through a web portal.

Checklist for submitting a proposal

  • In due time before the proposal deadline (>2 weeks), contact a CBCS representative to set up a meeting to discuss your project.
  • Fill in the Project Proposal Form attached in the open “Call for Larger Project Support from CBCS” in SciLifeLab Anubis.
  • Upload the application in due time

Evaluation of project proposals

Project Proposals are evaluated by an independent Project Review Committee based on:

  • Biological rational and potential scientific impact:
    • Research/technological quality
    • Novelty and originality
    • Relevance
  • Importance of CBCS efforts
  • Availability of described assays, resources and funding incl. follow up and validation studies
  • Publication plans

CBCS resources are limited and thus we are sometimes forced to decline involvement in proposals.

Project Review Committee

For more substantial projects, a formal application and peer-review process is implemented to ensure that resources are prioritized according to scientific excellence.

Once CBCS has been familiarized with the project details, investigators are invited to submit a formal Project Application to our Project Review Committee (PRC). The PRC consists of CBCS-independent experts in the chemical biology research field from both academia and industry. The PRC advocates the CBCS Management twice a year after triaging project applications submitted to CBCS during the past 6 months. 

Project applications are scored based on transparent criteria, such as scientific excellence, novelty, technical feasibility, and relevance. High priority projects are resourced with the necessary personnel and lower priority projects are considered if resources allow.

Cost model

CBCS strives to make collaboration as cost-effective as possible. Costs associated with a collaboration vary from PRC-approved projects and small projects to full-cost projects. However, the vast majority of the cost associated with personnel, facilities, equipment, and standard consumables is heavily subsidized by CBCS funding within academic projects and assessed before the start of a project.

Collaborators are expected to cover the direct costs of project-specific reagents and external studies performed. The largest contribution of the collaborator is the dedication is his/her expertise and internal resources dedicated to the collaboration.