# Pilot Projects Program

> **NIH NIH U54** · WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $270,274

## Abstract

Clinical and translational (C/T) research plays a vital role within the West Virginia Clinical and Translational
Institute (WVCTSI) network. The overall goal of the Pilot Project Core (PPC) is to increase the number of
externally-funded C/T investigators across the state addressing West Virginia health issues. To achieve
this goal, the PPC will accomplish three specific aims: 1)
provide infrastructure supporting competitive pilot
funding opportunities for early stage (ESI) and new investigators (NI) with subsequent mentored progression to
project completion, publication, and external funding application, 2) advance intra- and inter-state collaborative
research endeavors to address WVCTSI priority health areas within WV as well as throughout the Appalachian
region, and 3) implement the Launch Pad Pilot Program to maximize opportunities for commercialization of novel
science. In Aim 1, the PPC will solicit and rigorously review relevant C/T research applications from
WVCTSI investigators. Applicants will receive intensive mentoring from project initiation through
publication preparation and subsequent extramural funding of applications. Emphasis will be
placed on new investigators (investigators with no independent - R01 level - funding) and Early Stage
Investigators (< 10 years into their career post education, including medical residency and fellowships). PPC will
engage successful senior investigators as two Scientific Senior Advisors (one a clinician scientist, the other a
translational scientist). These Senior Advisors will aid PPC in its mentoring mission by working closely with new
and early stage investigators to assure research productivity through the creation of appropriate mentoring teams
in collaboration with the Professional Development Core. The PPC will prioritize pilot awards to promote
clinical projects, particularly those conducted in rural communities. In Aim 2, the PPC will promote intra- and
inter-state collaborative research efforts that target WVCTSI priority health areas through specific “requests for
applications” and programs that require or include principal investigators from more than one WVCTSI partner.
The PPC will also assist other Cores (e.g. Community Engagement and Outreach) with their focused research
programs through facilitating application solicitation and review. Aim 3 will focus on implementing the “Launch
Pad” pilot program that was tested for feasibility during Year 4 of the initial funding cycle. Launch Pad is an
innovative program intended to accelerate the translation of intellectual property developed by researchers within
the WVCTSI network into realized inventions and patents, thereby broadening the potential sources of funding.
Collectively, the PPC initiatives will significantly advance the conduct of C/T research in West Virginia to benefit
the health of all West Virginians and regional Appalachian populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10004070
- **Project number:** 5U54GM104942-05
- **Recipient organization:** WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** GARY O RANKIN
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $270,274
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10004070

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10004070, Pilot Projects Program (5U54GM104942-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10004070. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*