Providing financial support for pilot grants is an important way of encouraging the expansion of clinical and translational research into new areas and attracting scientists to the field. These grants allow researchers to undertake preliminary and "proof of concept" studies with the goal of developing grant proposals for external funding. The funds to support these projects flow through the Pilot and Collaborative Translational and Clinical Studies Key Function's grant research resource.
The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) views such pilot grant opportunities as absolutely vital to the transformation of clinical and translational research at The University of Iowa. Therefore, this key function's goals foster innovation, accelerate clinical and translational research, and encourage both developing and established investigators to commit to careers in clinical and translational research. Our objectives include:
Pilot funds are available to both junior investigators and established scientists seeking to redirect their research efforts toward collaborative translational research. These funds support innovative proposals that offer both a high level of risk and potential reward,and also promote the acquisition of new technology and expertise within the field of clinical and translational science. In order to enhance the interdisciplinarity of translational science at the University, most pilot grant applications will not be restricted to a subset of specific topics. Nevertheless, we feel that it is conducive to our aims to periodically issue requests for applications with target criteria. Thus, the ICTS' Executive Committee may designate topics to encourage research in areas of particular promise or emerging importance. Learn about eligibility, the application, and review processes.
The Pilot Grant Program has a rigorous evaluation and tracking component designed to monitor progress of individual projects awarded funding, the use of other components within the ICTS, and success of the program in funding innovative and high-risk/high-reward grants. All projects supported by the ICTS comply fully with all applicable federal policies, rules, and guidelines for research involving human subjects.
This key function also maximizes the success of pilot grantees by providing access to state-of-the-art resources, technology, infrastructure cores, and expertise, and by encouraging new collaborations and innovative interdisciplinary research.
The Pilot and Collaborative Translational and Clinical Studies Key Function is directed by Dr. Joseph Zabner, Internal Medicine Vice-Chair of Translational Research and the Interim Division Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care.
Link to Pilot and Collaborative Translational Clinical Research Resources
