Eligibility

• Researchers at all career stages are eligible to apply
• Early-career investigators and interdisciplinary collaborations are particularly encouraged
• Applicants must be affiliated with domestic for-profit or non-profit organizations, including universities, colleges, and research institutions

Funding and Project Duration

• Budget: $50,000 to $75,000 in direct costs
• Project duration: 12-18 months

Application Requirements

1. Cover page (unsigned)
2. Project summary (abstract)
3. Specific aims (1-page maximum)
4. Research strategy (5 pages maximum), including:
   • Background and significance
   • Innovation
   • Study design
   • Proposed measures
   • Sample size justification
   • Analytic plan
   • Potential for future publications and funding
5. NIH-format biosketches for all investigators
6. Budget and justification
7. Human subjects protection section (if applicable)
8. IRB approval or submission timeline (if applicable)
9. Human subjects education certification (unless exempt)
10. Targeted/planned enrollment table (for human subjects research)

Formatting Guidelines

• When necessary, documents should follow this format:
• Arial or Times New Roman 11-point font
• 0.5-inch margins
• Single-spaced
• Follow standard NIH formatting guidelines

Review Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Significance of the proposed research
• Innovation and scientific merit
• Feasibility of completion within the project timeline
• Potential for future NIH funding
• Expertise of the investigator(s)
• Importance of the area to the field of study
• Likelihood of leading to R01/R29 grant applications

Submission Process

1. Submit all application materials as a single PDF file by the specified deadline
2. Only one application may be submitted per principal investigator per receipt date7
3. Applicants may not submit R01 or R29 applications on the same topic concurrently with the pilot project application7

Important Dates

• Application deadline: Please see RFA for current deadline
• Earliest anticipated start date: June, 2025

Successful applicants may be required to provide additional documentation, including IRB approval, before funds are released. All research activities must be completed within the specified project duration.