Requirements

  1. We require investigators to declare in the Letter of Intent what Translational Science Principle(s) their project addresses. View definitions and examples of the Translational Science Principles here: https://ncats.nih.gov/about/about-translational-science/principles.
  2. Pilot projects must focus on advancing translational science (and/or removing the barriers). Translational research projects per se (e.g. projects focused on a particular target or disease, but do not build on or establish processes or principles applicable to other diseases), will not be allowed. (See the following link to learn more about translational science: https://ncats.nih.gov/about/about-translational-science )
    1. Projects are intended to:
      1. explore innovative new leads or new directions
      2. stimulate team approaches that incorporate less traditional researchers
      3. provide initial support to establish proof of concept for translational science. Projects must be feasible within the proposed timeframe, have high methodological and scientific quality, and answer important translational science questions.
Letter of Intent Sample

Funding Details

  1. $25,000 for a funding period starting in April 2026 through March 2027. The $25,000 award is for direct costs, do not include indirect costs in your project budget
    1. No University of Iowa faculty salary or meeting travel will be supported
  2. It is expected that pilot projects lead to external grant or contract submissions
  3. Publications that result from the pilot grant program, in whole or in part, must cite the NIH CTSA program grant UM1TR004403

ICTS Core Services

Biomedical InformaticsBiostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research DesignClinical Research Unit
Mobile Technology LabEngagement, Integration, and ImplementationResearch Study Coordinators
Regulatory Core  

Use of ICTS Core(s) must be stated in your Letter of Intent and the Core must be contacted prior to submitting a full application. We recommend contacting a Core as soon as possible in case their services need to be factored into the budget. You can request a Letter of Support from the Cores here: https://redcap.link/ICTSLOS

Application

  1. Please include:
    1. IRB application unique to the study of the pilot application (Clinical Trial studies should start their IRB application as early as possible to meet this requirement)
    2. Abstracts/Relevance (maximum of 250 words/2,000 characters, including spaces)
    3. Specific Aims
    4. Background and Preliminary Data
    5. Research Plan
    6. Budget & Justification
      1. Graduate stipends and tuition expenses are not allowable costs
Download Application

Key Dates

Letter of Intent due to Jamie ThramsOctober 17th, 2025
Applicants will be notified if they have been selected to submit a full proposal November 7th, 2025
Full proposal dueJanuary 9th, 2026
Awardees will be notified February 20th, 2026

Pilot Program Webinar

For more information on the Pilot Program, watch the informational webinar.