Pilot Research Program

The Pilot Research Program supports investigators demonstrating potential for impactful careers in biomedical research that benefit human and animal health.  The program also welcomes established researchers who are pursing and developing sustainable new research directions.

The Program will fund 2–4 pilot research projects per year depending upon receipt of meritorious applications, the availability of base-grant funds and resources to support the project. The direct cost for a single research project should not exceed $75,000 for no more than one year of support. No funds will be provided to cover facilities and administration (indirect) costs. No-cost extensions of up to one year will be permitted, with appropriate justification. Pilot research funds will not provide interim support for established projects or for any projects that have qualified for support from other sources.

TNBRC pilot funding will prioritize research projects investigating infectious diseases and/or non-communicable diseases and their impact on metabolic conditions, including cardiovascular and CNS disease, diabetes, and other comorbidities. AIDS-related proposals should align with current NIH priorities, including cure strategies and the effects of co-infections like SIV/SHIV and tuberculosis, as well as comorbidities involving cardiovascular, renal, or CNS diseases. Preference will be given to studies utilizing existing nonhuman primate samples or animals already allocated to ongoing projects or projects that help validate Novels Approaching Methodologies (NAMs).

Proposed studies will be evaluated based on the goal of reducing, refining, and/or replacing animal studies in research.

Pilot projects are typically exploratory or high risk/high impact endeavors, rather than confirmatory.  They require only preliminary data or results that are normally needed to obtain support from other funding sources. Proposed studies should demonstrate clear potential to develop into competitive research grant applications for external agencies.

Investigators must be beyond the postdoctoral rank and must be based at a nonprofit academic or research institution. If the applicant is not a TNBRC Core Staff member, a Core Staff Scientist must sponsor him or her. The overall purpose of the project must contribute to the objectives of the Center’s research programs, and the projects themselves must have the potential to lead to an extramurally funded grant application. The proposal must be substantially different from the applicant’s funded projects. A Core Staff Scientist must assume responsibility for the overall management, coordination and reports concerning the project. In general, all major activities related to the approved project must be conducted and carried out on-site at the Center. 

Grant submission procedures and review criteria