# Pilot Projects Program

> **NIH NIH U54** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $386,878

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – PILOT PROJECTS PROGRAM
While Advance CTR has served as a catalyst to transform the quality and quantity of clinical and translational
research (CTR) in Rhode Island, there remains a need to sustain these gains and evolve to address the
state’s health priorities with engagement of the community. Furthermore, we have identified new unmet
needs of investigators to foster interdisciplinary networks, to enhance community-based research efforts,
and to support awards for key preliminary data. This includes jump-start grants for junior investigators
applying for K awards. Therefore, in this renewal application, our goal is to expand the Pilot Project Program
and build on the transformative progress while evolving to meet the new needs of the investigator
community. The Specific Aims of the Pilot Projects Program (PPP) are to (1) award high-impact pilot
projects that propose to develop translational approaches for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
of diseases and to improve health in RI; (2) facilitate clinical and translational research through
prioritization of interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, and community-based collaborations; (3)
promote professional development and extramural funding of junior faculty pilot project awardees
through synergy with Advance-CTR Core activities; and (4) strengthen collaboration and
communication among Rhode Island investigators through the Emerging Areas of Research
Symposium. In the PPP, we will continue to solicit, review, award, oversee, and evaluate one-year clinical
and translational science pilot projects from junior investigators and more senior investigators transitioning
to a CTR focus. Additional Micro-Grants will be made available to support generation of key preliminary
data. We will also promote interdisciplinary and inter-institutional networks of investigators by funding of
research retreats and small pilot grants to jump-start resulting new collaborations. We will prioritize clinical
and community engaged research and projects that address diseases that affect the medically underserved
and/or diseases that disproportionately affect RI population. The PPP will continue to leverage professional
development opportunities, functions, and facilities offered by other cores and services of Advance CTR. In
order to stimulate CTR and collaboration in high impact areas, the PPP will continue to host an annual
research symposium on relevant topics. The PPP will be led by Sharon Rounds (Core Lead) with co-Lead
Gaurav Choudhary. It will be supported by the PPP Steering/Review Committee that includes
representatives from all partner institutions plus community representatives. The PPP will continue to be an
integral part of the Advance CTR, catalyzing collaborative and community-based Clinical and Translational
Research to promote health.
Project Summary/Abstract Page 607

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10281528
- **Project number:** 2U54GM115677-06
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sharon Irene Smith Rounds
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $386,878
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10281528

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10281528, Pilot Projects Program (2U54GM115677-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10281528. Licensed CC0.

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