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Pepper Center - Pilot Project Proposals Needed

Sep 21, 2020, 17:29 PM by Melodi Moore

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Call for Pilot Project Proposals

LOI Deadline:  Friday, September 25, 2020

The UTMB Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center encourages UTMB investigators to submit pilot research proposals in the area aging, physical function and recovery from illness in older adults. Proposals from any domain of translational research (T1-T4) are welcome. Projects will be funded for one year, with total annual direct costs not to exceed $50,000. Areas of research include but are not limited to:

  • basic science
  • clinical trials
  • patient-centered outcomes
  • population health

The purpose of this pilot funding is to support aging-related research that will realistically lead to external funding. Pilot awardees will have access to clinical research resources, such as a research coordinator, provided by the Pepper Center.

Proposals are encouraged from all investigators interested in initiating studies on aging.

The pilot proposal selection will follow a 2-step process:

Step 1:  Letter of Intent & Biosketch
Interested investigators should write a brief letter of intent describing in one page or less their research idea and how this idea would lead to external funding in the area of aging. Letters & biosketches can be submitted to Stephanie Burt (Pepper OAIC Administrator) via e-mail to stburt@utmb.edu.

  • Deadline for receipt of the letter of intent and biosketch is Friday, September 25, 2020.
  •  Letters of Intent will be evaluated by the Pepper Executive Committee, and those selected will be asked to submit a full proposal.

Step 2:  Full Proposal
If selected to submit a full proposal, a 5-page proposal in NIH format will be required outlining your research plan. If requested, a research mentor and biostatistician can be assigned to assist with development of the proposal.

  •  Deadline for receipt of full proposal is Friday, October 23, 2020. 

Full proposals will be evaluated by the Pilot Selection Committee, comprising of members of the ITS Scientific Review Committee, Pepper Center leaders and an independent external reviewer with specific expertise in the area of the pilot application.

More information can be found at: https://www.utmb.edu/scoa/research/supported-research-programs/pepper-center/pilot-program

Questions should be sent to Stephanie Burt, phone: (972) 999-6444 or e-mail: stburt@utmb.edu.