Pilot Program

Overview:

The COBRE Institute for Biomolecular Targeting (bioMT) Pilot Project Program funds pilot projects relating to its theme: the identification, validation, or development of molecular targets associated with human disease. Proposals are either mentored junior-faculty projects or interdisciplinary projects that capitalize on the use of bioMT core resources. Maximum funding is up to $50,000/year for 2 years.

Current Pilot Projects
Completed Pilot Projects

Eligibility:

  • The PI must hold a tenure-track/tenured and independent research-track appointment at the rank of assistant, associate, or full professor in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, the Geisel School of Medicine, or the Thayer School of Engineering, or an AMS-line appointment at Geisel.
  • Applicants may not have other research project support from an IDeA Program award.
  • Junior-faculty project PIs may not have tenure, and must identify a senior faculty mentor. Preference may be given to early-stage candidates without prior research project awards (e.g., R01, NSF, or foundation funding; except for pilot or career-development awards).
  • Interdisciplinary projects must include faculty from distinct disciplines and propose work that would engage the Molecular Tools Core or Molecular Interactions & Imaging Core.
  • Investigators are limited to a single application as PI.

 Review of Full Proposals:

Proposals will be reviewed internally for completeness and then by the COBRE bioMT External Advisory Committee (EAC). They will rank proposals relative to the following criteria. Brief review comments may be provided. Priority will be given to projects that:

  • Address a basic, translational, and/or clinical research problem in relating to human health or disease.
  • Present high-quality, high-impact science. Scientific excellence is a prerequisite for funding.
  • Show clear potential to generate new biomedical research funding (e.g., produce preliminary data supporting significance, innovation, or experimental design). Funded faculty must clarify the relationship to existing projects.
  • Incorporate interdisciplinary, cross-programmatic, collaborative approaches.
  • Interact strongly with the bioMT cores.

Additional Post-Award Requirements:

  • All awards require participants to attend weekly bioMT seminars and to present their research annually.
  • Applicants provide written interim progress reports in advance of EAC meetings and a final progress report within 60 days of the conclusion of the pilot project grant.
  • Applicants must cite/acknowledge COBRE award in all publications/presentations.

Timeline for next Request for Proposals: Accepting Proposals Now

Deadline: Friday, June 30, 2023