# Pilot Projects

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 2020 · $446,982

## Abstract

SUMMARY for the Pilot Project Program
The design of the Pilot Project Program is based on the long-term vision of enhancing the scientific pace,
collaboration, and competitiveness of the Vermont Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (VCIID).
This is consistent with our overall objective of the Phase III COBRE program to promote the transition to an
independent sustainable center that can compete for collaborative R01, P01, U19, and SBIR/STTR grants.
Based on our developed research expertise during Phases I and II, and national trends in biomedical research,
we have designed three categories of Pilots Projects to expand the VCIID's research portfolio: i) basic
research in immunology or microbiology, ii) translational research, and iii) an entrepreneurial SPARK-VT
Program to move ideas from basic research into the commercial sector through diagnostic or therapeutic
platforms. Emphasis among these three categories will be given to junior investigators and collaborations,
both within VCIID COBRE faculty as well as with other COBRE programs, such as the Vermont Lung Center
(VLC) or the nearby Geisel/Dartmouth Medical School COBRE in Immunology/Microbiology. A rigorous
application and review process will be implemented using NIH guidelines to identify the most meritorious
science, and to select applicants with the greatest potential for long-term success. In addition, the Pilot Project
Program will be responsive to the needs of junior faculty by providing them with a more favorable pay line, and
assigned mentoring. The Specific Aims are thus:
Specific Aim 1. Implement a Pilot Project Program. We will provide Pilot Project funds to VCIID faculty to
secure critical data for new grants, with emphasis on collaborations with investigators in this and other COBRE
programs, use of core facilities, and with the provision of personalized mentoring.
Specific Aim 2. Provide rigorous evaluation of Pilot Projects to promote publications and grant
submissions. We will use an NIH format of written applications followed by oral presentations of the most
meritorious to the External Advisory Committee (EAC). Among those with high scientific merit, preference will
be given for junior faculty and collaborating faculty.
Specific Aim 3. Foster P01/U-19 working groups around common research themes of the Pilot Project
Grants. Working groups with appointed leaders have been formed around common research themes in i) viral
immunology, ii) metabolic regulation of the immune response, iii) computational modeling of the immune
system, iv) small molecule targets for parasites, and v) sex differences in susceptibility to infectious and
autoimmune diseases. These groups could receive pilot funding to get critical data needed for collaborative
R01, P01, U19, or SBIR/STTR grants.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10006840
- **Project number:** 5P30GM118228-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Ralph C Budd
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $446,982
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-05 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10006840

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10006840, Pilot Projects (5P30GM118228-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10006840. Licensed CC0.

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