Pilot Project Program

The goal of the Pilot Project Program is to support the mission of the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Center for Molecular Epidemiology at Dartmouth, to advance discoveries to improve human health and develop future leaders in the field. To date, the Pilot Project Program has supported 15 pilot projects led by early-stage, mid-career, and senior investigators that have contributed to the Center themes of i) applying new scientific discoveries and technologies to address critical public health concerns, ii) finding early indicators of disease pathogenesis, and iii) exploring common pathways of disease etiology and progression in human populations. Pilot Project Leaders have collectively published 326 peer-reviewed manuscripts and received 52 extramural grants as Principal Investigators, totaling $85.8 million dollars. Building on the successes of Phases I and II, and incorporating feedback from external advisors and past awardees, the Phase III Pilot Project Program will expand its structure to further enhance investigator development and research competitiveness. Applicants will be solicited for three funding opportunities: 1) new and early-stage investigator projects to expedite career development and research independence; 2) multi-PI projects that promote multi-disciplinary team science leading to larger program and center grants; and 3) multi-institution projects that strengthen collaborations with partnering IDeA states. A letter of intent will be required to screen for eligibility and permit pre-application mentoring. Applications will be ranked by a review panel using the criteria and processes of NIH study sections, followed by funding recommendations by the External Advisory Committee prior to submission to the NIH for final approval. Post-award support, including tailored mentoring, will be provided based on each Pilot Leader’s career stage, goals, and scientific focus. Opportunities will be responsive to member surveys and guidance from the Steering and Advisory Committees. Thus, our strategy will provide Pilot Leaders with the preliminary data, mentorship, and training to compete for multiple grant mechanisms, and to grow impactful independent and collaborative research programs in molecular epidemiology.