Expanded Pilot and Feasability

PROJECT SUMMARY: Expanded Pilot and Feasibility Program The purpose of the Expanded Pilot and Feasibility Program (ePFP) of the Washington University Diabetes Research Center (DRC) is to extend our Pilot and Feasibility Program to diabetes investigators at institutions without NIDDK-supported Diabetes Research Centers. The ePFP focuses on providing modest support to: (1) new investigators who do not yet have their own peer-reviewed research support; (2) established investigators from other fields of investigation who want to apply their expertise to diabetes-related research; and (3) scientists already in diabetes research who are embarking on an entirely new direction. We propose to continue supporting highly successful subcontracts with three partner institutions: the University of Kentucky, the University of Utah, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Each of these universities has an outstanding research base in diabetes. Philip Kern, Scott Summers, and Alan Attie, internationally recognized diabetes scholars with strong leadership experience, serve as subcontract Program Directors at Kentucky, Utah, and Wisconsin, respectively. Each subcontract will fund two meritorious pilot grants per year at each institution. The application and review procedure for the ePFP is fully integrated with the Washington University Pilot and Feasibility Program. Successful ePFP applicants participate in the annual Washington University Diabetes Day, which promotes interactions and mentorship. Thus, the ePFP leverages the success of the Washington University DRC to serve a wider scientific community and to enhance scientific exchange between four institutions. Moreover, the ePFP has nurtured the growth of diabetes research at our partner institutions, leading to the development of proposals for new Diabetes Research Centers at the University of Utah and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Supporting diabetes research beyond the confines of Washington University is a strength of the Washington University DRC.