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Pilot Project Program
SHERC’s Investigator Development Core (IDC) supports the development of early-stage investigators (ESIs) and underrepresented (UR) faculty from racially, ethnically and other marginalized communities or disadvantaged backgrounds in basic biomedical, behavioral, and/or clinical sciences with a focus on translational research, team science, and mentoring.
The Pilot Project Program (PPP) was established under the IDC to provide support and mentoring to ESIs and UR faculty in health equity research, with the objective of generating preliminary data that will increase investigators’ competitiveness for NIH and other external health and health equity-related research funding. The PPP provides seed funding for ESIs and UR scholars to establish strong and successful programs of research in health equity and supports the development of team science and translational research skills.
PPP Accomplishments
Since 2017, the PPP funded 22 pilot projects, engaging project leads across 4 colleges representing 11 academic units. PPP lead investigators have successfully received 46 new grants worth more than $18M, including 13 NIH awards totaling more than $11M, and the first K01 and K99-R00 ever awarded at NAU. At the end of funding cycle 1, 95% (19/20) of the PPP projects obtained external funding after the pilot award, focused on clinical, biomedical, or social-behavioral work. PPP investigators have published 85 peer reviewed SHERC citing publications.
Pilot Project Program Funding Opportunities
The 2024 – 2025 call for pilot project proposals has been closed. Please check back in the Fall semester of 2025.
Eligibility
SHERC’s PPP welcomes applications of investigators who are at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure eligible), Assistant Research Professor, Assistant Clinical Professor, Assistant Teaching Professor, Assistant Professor of Practice, Lecturer or Postdoctoral Scholar (faculty at the Associate or Full Professor rank are not eligible).
Pilot Project Program Research Foci
Proposed PPP projects must focus on biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research, with priority given to exemplary projects that (1) address health equity of diseases/conditions that impact racially, ethnically, and other marginalized communities or health disparity-impacted populations, and (2) apply principles of team science (e.g. interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary) and translational research.
Funding
Projects will be funded for $50,000 per year for 2 years. A maximum of 3 proposals will be funded (per grant year).
Pilot Projects, Year 1 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 1
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded five new Pilot Projects during the first annual cycle of the grant that are all completed.
Pilot Projects, Year 2 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 2
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded three new Pilot Projects during the second annual cycle of the grant that are all completed.
Pilot Projects, Year 3 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 3
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded four new Pilot Projects during the third annual cycle of the grant.
Pilot Projects, Year 4 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 4
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded four new Pilot Projects during the fourth annual cycle of the grant.
Pilot Projects, Year 5 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 5
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded three new Pilot Projects during the fifth annual cycle of the grant.
Pilot Projects, Year 6 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 6
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded three new Pilot Projects during the sixth annual cycle of the grant.
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