Although initially providing fully subsidized services, as of June 2018, the MBNF is following a FEE-FOR-SERVICE structure. Fees are partially subsidized by  support from the Institute for Brain and Cognitive Sciences (IBACS), which covers our fulltime RA. Individual PI fees reflect: number of animals, hours of testing,  per diems during testing, and equipment use and maintenance. PIs with external funding can reimburse MBNF fees via internal KFS transfer.

Investigators seeking pilot data for unfunded work can apply for an IBACS Seed grant to support MBNF services as needed and as negotiated with the MBNF Director (RHF) (see IBACS SEED GRANT APPLICATION FORM).

PIs applying for new external funding (NIH, NSF etc.) that includes phenotyping  services should contact the MBNF Director (R. H. Fitch; Contact Us) to discuss study design and associated budgeting costs. Below is an abbreviated statement that PIs can use in new grant proposals (Methods, Facilities; a more detailed individualized statement can be prepared on request). A formula is also provided to estimate Budget costs. The MBNF Director RHF can also provide a Letter of Support and/or BioSketch on request.

Abbreviated Facility Description for Grant Proposals
“The University of Connecticut Murine Behavioral Neurogenetics Facility  is available to faculty and PIs on a Fee-for-services basis. The MBNF provides customized selection from a range of well-established motor, social, cognitive, anxiety-based, and sensory tasks for use in mice. The specific task battery and schedule for the current study were developed to tap behavioral domains associated with specific experimental manipulations, and to accommodate estimated effect sizes (power/minimum n per group). The MBNF Director (RHF) is a full professor of behavioral neuroscience with 30+ years experience in behavioral phenotyping of rodents. The facility is housed in approximately 1,500 square feet of IACUC-approved research space in the Bousfield building/Psychological Sciences (University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT), contiguous to the AALAC accredited Vivarium. The MBNF houses numerous paradigms, automated tasks, and audio/video recording facilities and is staffed by a fulltime RA and student assistants.”

Fee Formula for Grant Budgets
The PI should contact RHF for a more detailed assessment, but rough costs can be calculated by:

Number animals (total) x testing days (estimated) x $10*

Sample: A typical study of a single-gene mutation would require 24 animals (12 KO and 12 wild-type). A basic battery of motor, emotional and sensory tasks would take about 20 days (Mon-Fri). Estimated cost: 24 animals X 20 days X $10 per animal per day =$4,800. (This includes housing costs for 20 mice for the month).

*Fee-for-service formula subject to change. MBNF will honor fees at time of grant submission if included in original Budget.