Pilot Projects Program

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ABSTRACT – PILOT PROJECTS PROGRAM While Advance CTR has served as a catalyst to transform the quality and quantity of clinical and translational research (CTR) in Rhode Island, there remains a need to sustain these gains and evolve to address the state’s health priorities with engagement of the community. Furthermore, we have identified new unmet needs of investigators to foster interdisciplinary networks, to enhance community-based research efforts, and to support awards for key preliminary data. This includes jump-start grants for junior investigators applying for K awards. Therefore, in this renewal application, our goal is to expand the Pilot Project Program and build on the transformative progress while evolving to meet the new needs of the investigator community. The Specific Aims of the Pilot Projects Program (PPP) are to (1) award high-impact pilot projects that propose to develop translational approaches for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and to improve health in RI; (2) facilitate clinical and translational research through prioritization of interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, and community-based collaborations; (3) promote professional development and extramural funding of junior faculty pilot project awardees through synergy with Advance-CTR Core activities; and (4) strengthen collaboration and communication among Rhode Island investigators through the Emerging Areas of Research Symposium. In the PPP, we will continue to solicit, review, award, oversee, and evaluate one-year clinical and translational science pilot projects from junior investigators and more senior investigators transitioning to a CTR focus. Additional Micro-Grants will be made available to support generation of key preliminary data. We will also promote interdisciplinary and inter-institutional networks of investigators by funding of research retreats and small pilot grants to jump-start resulting new collaborations. We will prioritize clinical and community engaged research and projects that address diseases that affect the medically underserved and/or diseases that disproportionately affect RI population. The PPP will continue to leverage professional development opportunities, functions, and facilities offered by other cores and services of Advance CTR. In order to stimulate CTR and collaboration in high impact areas, the PPP will continue to host an annual research symposium on relevant topics. The PPP will be led by Sharon Rounds (Core Lead) with co-Lead Gaurav Choudhary. It will be supported by the PPP Steering/Review Committee that includes representatives from all partner institutions plus community representatives. The PPP will continue to be an integral part of the Advance CTR, catalyzing collaborative and community-based Clinical and Translational Research to promote health. Project Summary/Abstract Page 607