Pilot & Feasibility Program

Pilot and Feasibility Program Aims Aim 1. Fund and oversee implementation of meritorious pilot projects and Micro Grants from new and early-stage investigators whose careers are focusing on diabetes translation and health for all, or more established investigators who are transitioning their work to diabetes. Rationale: The varied health outcomes in diabetes (1, 2), especially across the Southeastern United States (3-5) create an intense need to generate high-quality impactful translation research and proficient researchers to address health gaps (race/ethnic, age, socioeconomic status, geography, co-morbidities)(6) through rigorously designing and testing community-engaged approaches novel technologies. This will require the support, skills development, and guidance from our experienced, expert mentors across GCDTR institutions. The GCDTR P&F Program’s key activities to support this aim include: targeted GCDTR RFA’s for pilot, micro, and regional grants addressing gaps in knowledge, directly linking potential applicants with GCDTR Experts, and providing representative review, selection, and guidance and oversight of funded projects. Aim 2. Develop and administer individual and group-based research development activities that support the theoretical underpinnings, conceptualization, and design of meritorious proposals. Rationale: Interdisciplinary diabetes translation research that informs and transforms models of practice, program, and policy change requires both the knowledge and skill base to conduct rigorous scientific inquiry and collaboration with experts in community-engaged approaches, translation and implementation research, and mobile health and technology interface expertise. Investigators working in this field will need to be well- versed in the determinants of health outcomes, behavioral theories, population health management, and multi- disciplinary, multi-perspective evaluation. The GCDTR P&F Program’s well-established and innovative activities to support this aim include: workshops and studio/individualized consultations (with Enrichment Program) on the three Core-focused theoretical underpinnings and methods led by Core Directors, Experts, and other Members prior to pilot grant submission, engaging technology experts (Regional Core), and linking new and transitioning investigators with consultation and mentoring services including the peer mentoring groups within the Enrichment Program; engaging prior successful pilot investigators in peer mentoring activities; and ensuring Core Experts help to troubleshoot or remove obstacles to productivity. Aim 3. Extend and engage the community of multidisciplinary and diverse investigators focused on diabetes translation and health impact research through career enhancement services in collaboration with the Enrichment Program. Rationale: Support and mentorship for investigators on career-enhancing skill building in areas such as team science and collaboration, research dissemination, and grantsmanship will launch a cadre of collaborative diabetes translation researchers who will grow into mentors themselves. The GCDTR P&F Program’s key activities to support this aim include: organizing a research dissemination skills module (in collaboration with the Enrichment Program), engaging with the Georgia Clinical & Translational Science Alliance team science training modules, critically assessing and analyzing outcomes of pilot studies for development of future “K” and R” diabetes-focused grants, “Research in Progress” sessions, professional development (e.g., presentation sessions, grant writing), monitoring progress of all GCDTR awards to assess scientific productivity (i.e., conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, collaborations, altmetrics, and external grants submitted/funded).