Pilot Project Program

The University of Rochester Environmental Health Sciences Center (EHSC) and the Institute for Human Health and the Environment (IHHE) support a limited number of meritorious Pilot Projects to advance new translational environmental health sciences research. These Pilot Projects provide a means for investigators to obtain preliminary data for extramural grant applications, develop new innovative research initiatives, access novel technologies and build new opportunities to address community needs and inform public health protection efforts. Center members and non-members who are faculty at the UR are eligible to apply. New investigators interested in environmental health research and in developing new partnerships with Center members are encouraged. There are two types of Pilot Projects offered:

1. Full Pilot Projects of up to $50,000 are available twice a year, and require a one-page preliminary application.  See deadlines and contact information in the RFA below.

Full Pilot Application (PDF)

Full Pilot Application (Word)

Pilot Project RFA (Word)

2. Mini Pilot Projects of up to $8,000 are available on a rolling basis to meet time-sensitive, small-scale needs.

Mini Pilot Applications must include the following:

• Names and contact information for Principal Investigator and co-Investigators
• A description of the goals and objectives of your proposed project
• Relevance of the project to the mission of the EHSC (Visit the EHSC Home page: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/environmental-health-sciences.aspx)
• Indication of how the proposed studies will facilitate future grant submissions
• “Other Support” indicating lack of overlap with currently funded projects
• Total budget requested

Mini Pilot Project Application to aid in preparing the application.

Both of these mechanisms foster the development of novel translational environmental health science research by, for example, supporting new research directions and new efforts that bridge studies in model systems and human populations to better inform public health protection efforts, often in conjunction with our Integrated Health Sciences Facility, Biostatistics, and Community Engagement Cores and our Career Development Program.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Martha Susiarjo (Pilot Project Program Director, Full Pilot Projects liaison)

Dr. Steve N. Georas (IHSFC Co-Director, Mini Pilot Projects liaison)