Incubator Program

The University of Rochester Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is pleased to announce this Request for Applications (RFA) for a new pilot funding program: The Incubator Program. This initiative is an expansive pilot program that might be termed a "superpilot" award and may be thought of as a "program project pilot" mechanism. Like traditional program project grants, the award is meant to fund two or more individual pilot projects by collaborating investigators linked to a scientific or clinical theme. The program seeks to solicit areas for development of the most promising clinical and translational research within the institution, where larger, carefully targeted investments can accelerate progress. The scope of these awards will create stand-alone research programs, and will go through a two-step preliminary and final application process. These applications will receive a high level of input and guidance by a new CTSI Core Expert Team to help shape and refine the applications during the application process and will continue to provide assistance subsequently during the conduct of the research. The intention is to fully engage the new Incubator Projects and investigators with the scope of resources available from the CTSI, and will provide a new facilitative role to develop new research programs using the well established pilot studies key function of the University of Rochester CTSI.

The goal of the RFA is to identify research collaborations at the institution with tremendous potential for developing programs that will catalyze breakthrough treatments, diagnostic techniques, or quantum leaps in community health. We would anticipate that successful Incubator Projects would utilize the award to provide the groundwork to ultimately achieve programmatic levels of extramural funding in the research area. Several programs will be chosen each year, with a goal of creating a balanced portfolio of programs across the translational spectrum of biomedical research. These "superpilot" programs will be eligible for awards of up to $125,000 per year, and will be made for two years of support per research program. This substantial level of funding and two-year duration will enable greater forward progress and momentum in programmatic directions, and higher ultimate impact than we are able to achieve with the smaller, one-year pilot awards. For especially promising and productive Incubator Projects following their initial funding year, the option of a third year of funding will be available.

Click here to access the RFA

Click here to access the funding attestation template

Click here to view Incubator Program Awardees and Projects

 

NIH Funding Acknowledgement ** Important ** All publications resulting from the utilization of CTSI resources are required to credit the CTSI grant by including the NIH FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and must comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.