Trainee Pilot Award

These awards provide up to $25,000 over one year to support research trainees as they build a solid research foundation that will help them obtain the most prestigious fellowship possible following the project. The pilot project should be part of a long-term plan to become an independent investigator.

Trainee Pilot projects should focus on translational science, with a focus on understanding a scientific or operational principle underlying a step of the translational process with the goal of developing generalizable principles to accelerate translational research. 

Apply

Solicitation and Review Process

Phase 1: Applicants submit one-page abstracts summarizing their proposals. A UR CTSI Review Committee composed of selected experts will evaluate, score and discuss all preliminary applications.

Phase 2: A subset of applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. The UR CTSI Review Committee will engage in a formal study section-style discussion and scoring meeting for trainee proposals. Funding recommendations go to the UR CTSI Executive Team for final approval.

CTSI Cost Sharing Information
CTSI Signoff Form 11/2021

View the 2023-2024 RFA for the Trainee Pilot Award.

Important Dates

Release Date

July 24, 2023

Deadlines

The following dates apply to the most recent solicitation:

• September 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. – Initial abstracts of proposals must be received. Please note that the online submission system will reject proposals submitted after 5:00 p.m.
• November 6, 2023 – Applicants from whom full proposals will be solicited will be notified. 
• January 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. – Full proposals must be received.
• March 1, 2024 – Notifications of Award will be made. Awarded proposals must meet several requirements prior to the start date. See the "Requirements if funds are awarded" section of the RFA for details.
• July 1, 2024 – The anticipated start date.

The Pilot Studies Funding Attestation must be submitted with the initial abstract and full proposal.

Note: All animal and human subject protocols must be approved prior to the start date. No funds for research project costs may be released until all required human subjects and animal welfare approvals have been received.

Current Projects

Positive deviance and health literacy: Underexplored constructs for successful translational science
Lindsay Batek, N.D., B.S.N., R.N.
Mentor: James McMahon, Ph.D.

Remote assessments in pediatric patients with congenital and childhood onset myotonic dystrophy type 1
Stella Deng, M.D.
Mentor: Johanna Hamel, M.D.

Past Projects