Pilot Project Program

ABSTRACT The Pilot Projects Program (PPP) is a high-impact and strategic initiative of the Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility (CEHS). Its mission is to (1) cultivate innovative, transdisciplinary environmental health research, (2) support junior investigators and incentivize experienced investigators in conducting environmental health and susceptibility-related research, (3) integrate researchers with CEHS facility cores to support novel investigations capable of generating advancements in environmental health research, and (4) provide opportunities for research translation that impacts the health of North Carolinians. In consultation with the Administrative Core and the Internal Advisory Committee, the PPP director coordinates, administers, tracks and evaluates the program. The PPP has four phases: Pre-application, Application, Award Period, and Dissemination & Evaluation. Within these phases, CEHS personnel and faculty leaders distribute the RFA, connect researchers with core facilities, coordinate the scientific review of pilot applications, monitor active projects for progress and budget expenditures, and connect researchers with the Community Engagement Core (CEC) for community- level dissemination opportunities. The program includes three mechanisms: Team Science awards of $50,000 (2-3 per year); Single Investigator awards of up to $25,000 (3-5 per year); and, Rapid Response awards of up to $15,000 per year (up to 6 per year). Pilot project applications undergo rigorous review, with an overall success rate (in the previous 5 years) of 50% for Single Investigator awards and 35% for Team Science awards. A total of 40 projects have resulted in 19 NIH grants (8 NIEHS), 2 National Science Foundation awards, and generating extramural funding of $26.9 million in total, an overall return on investment of 33 to 1. In addition, 122 scientific publications stemming from pilot projects were published in the first 4 years of this P30 cycle. Specific notable achievements in this cycle include an NIEHS RIVER award (R35 ES028366), a new NIEHS Superfund Research Center (P42 ES031007), and 16 R-series grants directly stemming from pilot projects.