Applications due: August 1, 2024

Earliest start date:  October 1, 2024

 

Pilot & Feasibility Studies are research projects aimed at:

1)  Attracting more junior investigators of the faculty into the area of diabetes translation research;

2)  Allowing more established investigators who are not currently engaged in diabetes translation research to extend their investigations into this important area; or

3)  Permitting any investigator to test a novel hypothesis of relevance to diabetes translation research, which might not yet meet NIH requirements for R01 or R18 funding.

 

It is strongly anticipated that the results of these pilot projects will strengthen the potential for investigators to compete successfully for more standard sources of research support. The proposed project must be significantly different from funded research already being conducted by the Principal Investigator. Collaborations across departments, schools and institutions are strongly encouraged. Proposals testing novel interventions in health equity, dissemination and implementation, those with unique perspectives not traditionally studied in relation to diabetes, and applicants who identify as under-represented minorities and/or engage with stakeholders and community organizations that are under-represented minority serving are strongly encouraged.

 

The Pilot and Feasibility program is particularly directed at new investigators and established investigators new to the field of diabetes translation research. Established diabetes investigators pursuing timely or highly significant projects are also eligible for support under the CDTR P&F program, but such awards should be well-justified. Pilot and feasibility support is not intended for large projects by established investigators that are more appropriate as grant submissions to funding agencies, nor is it intended to provide bridging support. Pilot and feasibility funds are also not intended to support or supplement ongoing funded research of an established investigator.

 

Trainees, fellows, undergraduate students, medical students, and residents are not eligible to serve as principal investigators on P&F awards but can be supported by the grant. Because of the focus of the P&F program to prioritize funding for projects led by faculty members who are junior investigators or are new to the area of diabetes translation research, it would be unusual for the principal investigator of a past P&F award to lead another P&F proposal, unless the new proposal constitutes a significant departure from past research.

 

We encourage all applicants to remain or to become CCDTR members if awarded a P&F grant. Awardees who are not current CCDTR members can submit a current NIH biosketch and a cover letter of their research interests for consideration. More information will be sent to all pilot awardees upon notice of award.

 

This program supports Type 2 to Type 4 (T2-T4) translation research to reduce or eliminate diabetes-related health disparities, and related conditions, and improve health equity. T2 - T4 translation research is defined as research focused on translating interventions and approaches that have demonstrated efficacy into real-world healthcare settings, communities, and diverse populations with an emphasis on reach, sustainability, and potential for widespread implementation. The research can be focused on translating interventions/approaches into real world health care settings, communities, and populations at risk and can include effectiveness, dissemination, implementation, and cost effectiveness research. The target of this type of the research can be varied to include individuals, families, healthcare practitioners or systems, communities, and/or policy makers. Projects utilizing methods of health services research, public health research, community-based participatory research, implementation science, cost-effectiveness research, and behavioral intervention research, and those that bring unique perspective to diabetes research through nontraditional fields of expertise (e.g. engineering, design, environmental science) are prioritized. Please feel free to contact us for guidance if you are unsure about the suitability of your topic or project.

 

Pilot and Feasibility Studies will be funded for 12 months beginning October 1, 2024. Pilot and Feasibility Studies are funded up to $50,000* in direct costs. Funds may be requested for personnel, supplies, service and other costs, as for any NIH grant application. There is no support for indirect costs, so they should not be included in the budget. Principal Investigator salary recovery can be included in the budget but cannot exceed

 

Co-Investigators, trainees, fellows, undergraduate students, medical students, residents, and community partners or stakeholders can be supported by the grant.

 

*Funding amount can change without prior notice.

 

All awardees will be expected to participate in presentations of their work at research in progress meetings and local diabetes conferences, as well as networking events with senior researchers and other pilot grantees.

Awardees who are junior investigators or new to the area of diabetes translation research will also participate in a year-long mentorship and advising program through the CCDTR that will involve meetings with senior CCDTR leaders.

 

The application is an abbreviated NIH R01-style format and NIH forms are used as indicated in the table below. Forms can be downloaded from http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. Applications are expected to use NIH formatting standards (single-spaced, 0.5 inch margin minimum, Arial, Helvetica, Palatino Linotype, or Georgia typeface in black in at least 11 point size).

 

REQUIRED COMPONENTS FOR APPLICATION | FORMAT AND NOTES
 If this is a resubmission, please include a one page cover letter addressing previous concerns to be submitted with the application.
 
 The form includes applicant information, research administrator contact, information, human subjects clinical trials questions, and upload of application. Please upload one electronic PDF of your application in the online submission form.
 List of Investigator(s) and Co-Investigators Include name, academic title, institution, email address, and phone number | No form.
Abstract 30 lines maximum
Specific Aims 1 page limit
Research Strategy Should follow the NIH format (significance, innovation, approach) 5 page limit
Plans for Future Funding;  Describe how completion of this pilot project will lead to submission of a grant proposal through a standard funding mechanism 250 word limit
Literature Cited No page limit
Detailed Budget Form Page 4
Detailed Budget Justification No form.
NIH Biographical Sketch for PD/PI and Co-Investigators NIH Biosketch
Protection of Human Subjects (if applicable) Protection of Human Subjects Form
Inclusion of Individuals Across the Lifespan (if applicable) Inclusion of Individuals Across the Lifespan Form
Inclusion of Women and Minorities (if applicable) Inclusion of Women and Minorities Form
Recruitment and Retention Plan (if applicable) Recruitment and Retention Plan Form

Data Safety Monitoring Plan (required for all NIDDK nonexempt HS research) Data Safety Monitoring Plan Form 

Study Timeline or Milestones (for projects claiming an IRB exemption 4 only (no other exemptions), this document is not required) Study Timeline or Milestones Form

Inclusion Enrollment Report (if applicable) PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report
Letters of Support  Letters of support are only required for collaborations with partnering institutions and/or organizations. No form.

 

Regulatory approvals must be provided to the Program Directors before work with human subjects can begin. Studies involving human subjects may be subject to additional NIH review prior to initiating the study. Upon notice of award, additional administrative items may be required.

 

Successful candidates will be required to report on the progress of their projects in order to meet NIDDK’s annual reporting requirements. After the completion of the pilot project, the CCDTR will continue to request future updates on outcomes including but not limited to number of abstract presentations, published manuscripts resulting from the pilot award and grants applied for and received based on pilot results. Investigator development resources and/or enrichment activities will be made available to those candidates funded.

 

How to Submit:
If this is a resubmission, please include a one page response cover letter addressing previous concerns to be submitted with the application. Applicants can click "Apply Now" below to complete the submission form and upload an electronic PDF version of the completed grant application no later than August 1, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

Questions about the application process should be sent to:

Annette Hannah

Project Assistant IV, Section of General Internal Medicine Phone: (773) 702-9314

 

Funding for this Pilot & Feasibility Program comes from the Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research (NIDDK P30 DK092949), Deans’ offices of the Biological Sciences Division of the University of Chicago and Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

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