# Pilot Projects Program

> **NIH NIH U54** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $555,563

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – PILOT PROJECTS PROGRAM 
Advancing the development of clinical and translational research in Rhode Island is a critical need. Rhode 
Island institutions have a tradition of providing Pilot Projects support, but these awards have generally not been 
designated to support clinical and translational research. Thus, there is an unmet need to enhance funding of 
Clinical and Translational Research in Rhode Island that would be met by the RI-CCTS. We propose 
establishment of a Pilot Project Grants Program that is trans-disciplinary and translational with the following 
Specific Aims: 1. Enhance the quality and quantity of clinical and translational research in Rhode 
Island by funding Pilot Projects spanning the research spectrum from T1 to T4 and by developing 
clinical and translational research collaborations of co-PI's. 2. Promote selected high impact clinical 
and translational research areas via Emerging Areas of Research Symposia at institutions in Rhode 
Island, in collaboration with existing INBRE and COBRE programs. In the Pilot Projects Program, junior 
investigators (or more senior investigators transitioning to a translational research focus) will have the 
opportunity to apply for small grants of one year duration with an option of applying for a second year. In order 
to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration, each Pilot Project grant will have two co-PI's from different 
disciplines. Two senior investigators will be designated as mentors to advise on grant preparation and conduct 
of the research. One mentor will have specific background in methodology or basic science, and the other 
mentor will have clinical science expertise. At least one of the Pilot Projects awarded through the RI-CCTS 
each year will include a clinical trial. In order to stimulate Clinical and Translational Research in high impact 
areas, the Pilot Projects Program Advisory Committee will work with the IDeA programs funded in RI to 
develop an annual research symposium on relevant topics. Symposia sites will rotate among Brown University, 
the Affiliated Hospitals, and the University of Rhode Island. The Pilot Projects Program will be led by Sharon 
Rounds with Deputy Leader Michelle Lally. It will be supported by an Advisory Committee that includes 
representatives from the Lifespan and Care New England Hospital Systems, the Providence Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center, the University of Rhode Island, and Brown University. The Advisory Committee will oversee 
application and review processes and, in conjunction with the RI-CCTS Internal Advisory Committee (IAC), will 
determine prioritization of research topics. Particular attention will be paid to support of clinical and 
translational research in areas of health disparities in Rhode Island. The Pilot Projects Program will leverage 
professional development opportunities, functionality and facilities offered by other Key Components (KC) of 
the RI-CCTS. The Pilot Projects Program will be an integral...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9957181
- **Project number:** 5U54GM115677-05
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sharon Irene Smith Rounds
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $555,563
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2021-08-09

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9957181

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9957181, Pilot Projects Program (5U54GM115677-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9957181. Licensed CC0.

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