# Pilot and Feasibility Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $196,382

## Abstract

PILOT/FEASIBILITY PROGRAM
PROJECT SUMMARY
The mission of the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease (CGIBD) is to promote multidisciplinary
research to reduce the burden of digestive and liver diseases. The pilot/feasibility (P/F) program is one of the
most important strategies to achieve that mission. The program is designed to help investigators obtain
preliminary data necessary to successfully compete for external funds. The specific aims are: 1) To
aggressively publicize the program to assure a large pool of eligible applicants. 2) To provide a rigorous
scientific merit review process with initial review. 3) To exercise oversight of funded investigators to monitor
progress and improve chances of success. The program supports: 1) new investigators without current or past
NIH research project support 2) established non-digestive disease investigators proposing a digestive disease
project; 3) established, supported digestive disease investigators proposing a project which constitutes a
significant departure from ongoing research. We place highest priority on funding new investigators. During the
past 5 years 91% of awards were given to new investigators. Each year the CGIBD funds 4 new proposals with
budgets of approximately $30,000. The Dean of the School of Medicine provides funds for an additional award.
The CTSA also provides matching funds for acceptable applicants. The P/F program is aggressively promoted
leading to strong competition for slots. During the most recent year there were 21 applications. The review is
highly structured and rigorous. The review process, which mirrors that of the NIH, is online. The Executive
Committee and reviewers with expertise in the topic of the application conduct the first line of review. The top
applications are reviewed by the External Advisory Board who select candidates for funding after brief oral
presentations by the applicants. Critiques from both levels of review are rapidly shared with the applicants.
Following funding, the awardees meet with the CGIBD biostatistician. Their progress is carefully monitored with
formal written progress reports every 6 months. The awardees present their research at one of our weekly
seminars. The program has enjoyed great success over the past 10 years with 90% still engaged in GI
research and a return on investment of 20:1.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10749934
- **Project number:** 5P30DK034987-39
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT T MAGNESS
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $196,382
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-12-01 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10749934

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10749934, Pilot and Feasibility Program (5P30DK034987-39). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10749934. Licensed CC0.

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