# Pilot Project Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI · 2020 · $255,823

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The Center of Research Excellence in Natural Products Neuroscience (CORE-NPN) at The University of
Mississippi School of Pharmacy (UM), initiated ten years ago through a COBRE grant, has developed a
multidisciplinary team committed to evaluating the effects of natural products on the central nervous system
(CNS). The Pilot Project Program will continue in Phase III in much the same manner as in the previous two
phases and will include three areas of support: 1) basic science research, which is the pipe-line for developing
new data for grant applications and publications; 2) translational research, which, in conjunction with the UM
Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) will facilitate the clinical evaluation of lead compounds
discovered by CORE-NPN scientists; and 3) entrepreneurial research, which will allow scientists to advance
their commercial discoveries with support from the UM Division of Technology management team. The Specific
Aims to accomplish our goals are: Specific Aim 1: To advance the infrastructure of developmental Pilot Project
Programs cultivated during Phase I and II that engage in basic, translational, and entrepreneurial research at
the interface of natural products and neuroscience. This will ensure that investigators have the opportunity to
obtain new data that are critical for competitive grant applications, translate their research findings to clinical
studies, and to advance the commercialization of discoveries. Specific Aim 2: To enhance the rigorous
assessment of the science conducted in the Pilot Project Program and promote peer-reviewed publications,
presentations, and competitive grant applications. Applicants will be invited to submit a cover page and a
Specific Aims page for their project which will be reviewed by the PPP Review Committee. Following this review,
eight applicants will be invited to submit an R03-style proposal which will be further evaluated and proposers
will present their proposals (Shark-Tank-COBRE) to the review committee, who will seek clarifications and
provide guidance. Applicants will then submit a revised A-1 like proposal, addressing concerns raised which will
then be forwarded to the EAC for final review and recommendation. Pending approval by the EAC, proposals
will be submitted to the NIGMS for review and final approval. Outside reviewers with expertise on the subject
may be invited, if necessary, for recommendations. Recipients will be required to deliver an Ignite-COBRE-Talk
every quarter on their progress; additionally, recipients will be expected to present their research findings to the
EAC during their annual review of our program. Specific Aim 3: To advance an infrastructure of developmental
programs that include formal mentoring of investigators enrolled in the Pilot Project Program. This is the
cornerstone of the success the PPP experienced in Phase I and II and will continue in Phase III. Each PPP PI
will be assigned at least one mentor ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9939574
- **Project number:** 5P30GM122733-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
- **Principal Investigator:** KRISTINE L WILLETT
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $255,823
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9939574

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9939574, Pilot Project Program (5P30GM122733-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9939574. Licensed CC0.

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