Required Format for Letters of Intent (LOIs) Submitted to the Michelson Prize & Grants Program - Sample LOI

Sep 16, 2026

Professional sample Letter of Intent (LOI) template for submission to the Michelson Prize & Grants Program, specifying formatting requirements such as letterhead details, margins, font, and a maximum length of three pages. The sample LOI describes a fictional three-year funded proposal seeking support for a study on developing a single-dose nonsurgical sterilant using an intravenous kryptonite conjugate targeted to the anterior pituitary. It outlines the proposed approach, scientific rationale, investigator confirmations, and key elements reviewers expect.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Formatting and submission requirements

Contact and address block

Letter structure and length

LOI content overview

Proposed study purpose and funding request

Proposed approach for the sterilant

Scientific rationale and prior work

Required research plan and study phases

Closing information

Investigator confirmations

Signature lines and contact emails

Attachments and reprints request

REQUIRED FORMAT FOR LETTERS OF INTENT (LOIs) SUBMITTED TO THE MICHELSON PRIZE & GRANTS PROGRAM THIS IS A SAMPLE LOI FOR A FICTIONAL PROPOSAL Use professional letterhead with your complete mailing address, email, and phone number. Use ¾ inch margins and 11 point Arial or Helvetica Font. Do not exceed three (3) pages. [DATE] Chief Scientific Officer Michelson Prize & Grants The Michelson Found Animals Foundation , Inc. P.O. Box 1593 Culver City, CA 90232 Dear Sir or Madam, This is a Letter of Intent, seeking funding for a proposal entitled: “Destruction of Hypophyseal GnRH Receptors Using Intravenous Kryptonite: Proof of Concept Study in Mice” from the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. This is anticipated to be a three-year study, conducted in our laboratory and at the animal care facilities of our collaborator, Dr. Jane Doe, at the University of ABCDE. Proposed approach for developing a single-dose nonsurgical sterilant: We propose to conjugate kryptonite to a carrier peptide identified by phage panning that will be linked to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) . When administered intravenously, the conjugate will home to the anterior pituitary and selectively bind to and ablate the gonadotrophs, leading to permanent sterility. As GnRH is evolutionarily conserved in both male and female mammals, this treatment, if effective in mice, is hypothesized to be a candidate for a “universal sterilant” in the Foundation’s target species. Following proof of concept in mice we plan to submit a later proposal to test the product in male and female dogs and cats. The rationale for proposing this approach: In work published from our laboratory (Doe J: J Irreprod Res, 33:12-26, 2007) we showed that kryptonite can be administered intravenously and is selectively toxic to pituitary basophils via inhibition of the glutathione-methyl-peroxidase pathway. We are aware that cells expressing GnRH receptors are present in other body tissues, and that the proposed treatment has the potential of harming non-target cells; however, since non-target cells express the receptor at concentrations and binding affinities more than 1000X lower than in the pituitary, we hypothesize that this treatment will not be harmful to nontarget tissues. Simpson and colleagues (J Irreprod Res, 27:55-61, 2001) have demonstrated successful use of kryptonite linked to a carrier peptide and corticotropin releasing hormone in chemically ablating ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas in the dog. An overview of required research (budget estimates not required) : We propose a three-year study with general objectives of (i) identification and concentration of appropriate homing peptides from the murine hypophysis, using phage panning, (ii) chemical construction of the kryptonite/peptide/GnRH conjugate using techniques in use in our laboratory, (iii) dose titration of the conjugate in mice, first using an in vitro cell line expressing the GnRH receptor, and (iv) intravenous administration of the optimal dose, 2X dose and control dose of the conjugate to postpuberal mice, with subsequent safety/efficacy monitoring in a lifetime (18-month) study. Work on this project could be initiated in our laboratory on receipt of funding. The investigators confirm that we have reviewed the required resources prior to submission of this letter of intent. Sincerely, Principal Investigator, PhD [prin-inv@emailaddress.com](prin-inv@emailaddress.com) Co-Investigator, PhD (if applicable) [co-inv@emailaddress.com](co-inv@emailaddress.com) EMAIL ADDRESSES REQUIRED HERE Please include reprints of all literature cited within the LOI as well as any additional attachments that may be informative to reviewers!

FAQs

What formatting requirements does the LOI template specify?

Use professional letterhead with complete mailing address, email, and phone number, ¾ inch margins, and 11 point Arial or Helvetica font. The LOI must not exceed three (3) pages.

What should the LOI include about the proposed study?

The LOI should state the proposal title, describe the anticipated study duration, summarize the proposed approach, and provide a clear rationale supported by relevant prior work.

Does the template require a specific research plan structure?

Yes. It includes general objectives such as peptide identification via phage panning, chemical construction of the conjugate, dose titration in mice using in vitro and in vivo stages, and safety/efficacy monitoring in a longer study.

Sep 16, 2026

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