Pilot Project Program

PROJECT SUMMARY Pilot Project Program Unhealthy behavior patterns are primary drivers of chronic disease and premature death in the U.S. as well as an immense financial burden on the healthcare system. The Vermont Center on Behavior and Health (VCBH) is dedicated to improving U.S. public health by investigating processes underpinning these unhealthy behavior patterns and developing and disseminating/implementing efficacious and cost-effective behavior-change interventions. The overarching aim of this Phase 3 Pilot Project Program is to strategically build upon progress made in Phases 1 and 2 in establishing VCBH as a sustainable center of research excellence. The proposed Pilot Project Program will invite proposals for Pilot Project applications on a rolling basis. The Pilot Project Program will prioritize collaborative research that builds upon five current VCBH research strengths: (1) tobacco regulatory science, (2) tobacco control, (3) rural addiction crisis, (4) cardiopulmonary research, and (5) studies of neurobiological development and risk. Applications will be rigorously evaluated to identify meritorious projects with the greatest potential for impact and funding. Among meritorious applications, priority will be given to early- career investigators and those that utilize VCBH cores. Early-career investigators will receive comprehensive mentorship from VCBH senior investigators adhering to practices established in COBRE Phases 1 and 2. Pilot Project Leaders will be encouraged to collaborate with ongoing VCBH themed working groups established around these five areas of VCBH scientific strength to plan for collaborative NIH proposals in the R series and P01 and center grants applications. We will also be vigilant regarding opportunities to seed new research directions that align with the VCBH mission. Overall, the proposed Pilot Project Program will be critically important to sustaining VCBH productivity, early-career mentoring, and generating the preliminary data necessary for competitive NIH and other grant applications, all essential to firmly situating VCBH on a scientifically meritorious and sustainable fiscal foundation.