Pilot and Feasibility Program

PROJECT SUMMARY – Pilot and Feasibility Program The Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research (Chicago CDTR) P&F Program supports new areas of inquiry in diabetes translation research and funds innovative new forms of translational research aimed at advancing evidence-based clinical and community practice and improving population health. Since its inception in 2011, our CDTR P&F program has expanded diabetes translation research and made a large impact on the field. The Chicago CDTR has received 99 applications and awarded 63 grants, leading to 60 abstracts, 74 publications, and 52 funded grants (27 R01 series awards; 6 K-awards) from NIDDK, NHLBI, and others. Funding from the P&F program has supported 61 total investigators, 46 early-stage investigators and 15 established investigators exploring innovative new areas of diabetes translation research. Pilot awards have led to $32 million in subsequent awards with a return on investment of $20 for every $1 funded by our CDTR. Our dual institution infrastructure (Northwestern University (NU) and University of Chicago (UC)) allows us to combine expertise, amplify our impact, and broaden our reach across disciplines, institutions, and geography. Acknowledging the significance and impact of our program, the Deans of both institutions have made a combined commitment of $100K matching funds per year to increase the number of P&F awards eligible for funding. Fueled by past success, our large member base, a pipeline of early career faculty, robust clinical and community practice partnership networks, and multiple funding sources, we aim to 1) Operate a highly competitive and rigorous, NIH-style grant application and review program that awards funding led by early-stage investigators or experienced investigators who are new to diabetes translation research or are proposing exceptionally innovative new areas of diabetes translation research; 2) Stimulate, support, and award applications involving novel adaptations of interventions or other implementation strategies with high potential to address prevailing translation barriers, new collaborations with clinical and community partners, or methodologic innovations or application of methods and approaches from other fields to address diabetes-related translation challenges, and 3) Support the transfer, usability, and adoption of research for our clinical and community practice partners by supporting mini-grants that enable practice needs and perspectives to become part of collaborative planning. The success of our P&F program to date reflects the interdisciplinary nature of our center and the strong research base it provides. With another cycle of funding, our program will continue to support highly significant and innovative new forms of diabetes translation research, led by early career investigators or others new to the field, that succeed in their research aims, compete for future extramural funding, advance science, and shape practice in new ways that improve diabetes-related health for populations.