Funding Opportunities
Internal and external funding opportunities collected by the CTSI.
CTSI PilotsThe Translational Pilot Program will solicit, review and award pilot grants designed to produce and test novel tools and methods to bridge translational gaps. |
Ignition FundsProviding ignition funding to accelerate progress for clinical and translational research projects. |
K12 FundingProviding 2-3 years of support for early-career research faculty from Wake Forest. |
Community Partnered Research AwardCommunity Engagement provides funding to support community and academic researchers via the Community Partnered Research Award. |
Voucher AwardStudies that identify a financial need can request funds from the voucher program to help overcome barriers related to transportation, child care, etc. |
Team Grant AcceleratorSupporting planning, pre-award, and post-award stages to incentivize investigators to pursue new large awards. |
Recurring Funding Opportunities
The CTSI is proud to offer these funding mechanisms:
- Ignition Funding
Deadline: 11/04/25
- Research Salary Bridge Funding
Deadline: 01/01/26
- Early Career Salary Support
Deadline: 01/01/26
School of Medicine and Advocate Health 2024 Requests For Proposals
The Wake Forest University Program for Leadership and Character invites proposals from any Wake Forest University School of Medicine or AHWFB or Advocate Health System employee with ideas for character development programs for current and/or future clinicians (i.e. students) and/or care team members.
Character in Medicine Grant: The Character in Medicine Grant exists to empower employees of the Wake Forest University and Advocate Health System to design, implement, and/or more rigorously assess educational programs that promote participants’ character development.
This grant will fund proposals to launch pilot projects, revise existing programs, and/or implement research and/or assessment on programs to better understand their character growth impacts.
The Character in Medicine Grant is hosted by Wake Forest University’s Program for Leadership and Character, which “inspires, educates, and empowers leaders of character to serve humanity.” Toward this end, the Program develops and disseminates evidence-based educational programming that supports professionals’ growth as leaders of character. The Kern Family Foundation funds the work of the Program for Leadership and Character in medical education.
Funding amount will vary from $1,000 to $30,000. Any project over $7,500 will require assessment; see more info in the Application Questions section.
Any employee of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and/or Advocate Health System whose job responsibilities include designing, delivering, and/or assessing educational programming may apply for a Character in Medicine grant. Award recipients must be connected to an office (or resources) that will be able to carry out all of the program spending, reimbursements and budget tracking.
The Program is currently accepting applications for projects that will:
- Have a start date at least 2 months out from application submission in order to allow time for review. Review periods can take between two to six weeks.
- Will have completed spending by March 2026
Applications for projects taking place after March 2026 will be available in Fall 2025.
Download Character in Medicine Grant Application.
Contact Suzanne Danhauer, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Well-being at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, or Lauren Iley-Spear, Program for Leadership and Character in the Professional Schools, with questions.
November Deadlines
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Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
We are pleased to announce the funding cycle for this year’s Development Projects and Pilot Grants from the Wake Forest Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC); funding will be available in July 2026. The primary goal of this funding is to develop Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders (ADRD) research that will lead to publications and extramural research applications or produce resources useful to the WF ADRC community.
Projects can encompass basic, translational, clinical, or implementation science research. The scientific focus of the WF ADRC is the link between metabolic and vascular diseases and the transitions from normal aging to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD, and AD-related dementias (ADRD). Applications that align with the scientific focus of the WF ADRC and that propose using WF ADRC resources are strongly encouraged, but proposals on other topics will be considered. Examples of thematically related studies include the relationship of metabolic or vascular indices (e.g., fluid, imaging or neuropathological biomarkers, clinical variables, polygenic risk scores, health systems/electronic health records) to ADRD risk or progression.
Applications from early-stage investigators are encouraged, provided they will be at their institution for the duration of the funding period. Mid-level and senior faculty are also encouraged to apply if they do not have substantial prior experience in ADRD research or if they have a novel approach to ADRD research. Postdoctoral fellows are eligible for Pilot Grants, but not Development Projects. Please see the RFA for additional information.
Letters of Intent (LOIs) should be emailed to the WF ADRC Development Project/Pilot Grant Committee by November 7, 2025. The Committee will send invitations to submit full applications by Friday, Nov 14, 2025. The full application deadline is January 23, 2026, 11:59 pm.
A virtual information session will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from 10:00-11:00am to review the RFA, answer questions about these funding mechanisms, and provide information on available resources. A recording of the meeting will be made available. Please contact Brian Davis for meeting details and recording information.
Please email Dr. Sharon Letchworth if you have any questions.
Letter of Intent Deadline: November 7, 2025
Wake Forest Innovations Commercial Pathway Award Request for Projects
The mission of Wake Forest Innovations is to translate research into beneficial products and services. The Commercial Pathway Award furthers this mission by supporting members of the Wake Forest community by awarding financial support for milestone-driven commercially relevant projects in which the institution has a proprietary position. Projects should be designed to advance the intellectual property and commercial potential of technologies.
Examples of suitable projects include advanced proof-of-concept and feasibility studies, studies that enable go/no-go commercialization decisions, and studies designed to exceed commercially relevant value inflection points. Successful projects will receive up to $40,000 in direct costs, to be spent within a one-year project period.
Applications should fall into one of the following areas:
- Therapeutic/drug/biologic
- Diagnostic/Medical device
- Digital health
- Other (please describe)
These awards are open to investigators across Advocate Health. This includes Atrium Health, Atrium Health Navicent, and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, including Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Wake Forest University (Reynolda Campus) faculty are also encouraged to apply. Additional details are available in the RFP. To apply, click here.
Application Deadline: November 15, 2025 at 5:00PM ET
Wake Forest Primate Research Center (WFPRC) Pilot Funding Program
The Wake Forest Primate Research Center (WFPRC) invites proposals for pilot funding to support promising new research ideas focused on the use of nonhuman primates (NHPs), NHP data or biospecimens.
Applications must be submitted by email to Ms. Rachel Ann Williams. Applicants should briefly outline the proposed pilot project in a single PDF document including: One page that outlines the Title, Investigators, and Abstract (150 words or less); and a 5-page Research Strategy which includes sections: Specific Aims, Significance, Innovation, Approach, and Next Steps. References, Budget, and Biographical sketches of key personnel are required and are not subject to page limits. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with the Pilot Committee Chair, Dr. Kylie Kavanagh regarding this opportunity. Further details are available on the funding announcement page.
Deadline: November 15, 2025
December Deadlines
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LAUNCH 2026: Healthy Aging & Alzheimer's Prevention Innovation Challenge
A Signature Incubator-Style Competition Hosted by the Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Prevention Philanthropy Board of Advisors, powered by the Center for Healthcare Innovation. The Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Prevention Innovation Challenge is the first competition powered by the Center for Healthcare Innovation (CHI) and the new addition to CHI's annual innovation incubator, competition and accelerator program.
The Sticht Center for Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Prevention Innovation Challenge is the new flagship annual initiative of the Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Prevention Philanthropy Board of Advisors. This incubator-style competition seeks bold, early-stage ideas that advance research, education, or clinical care for older adults. Eligible projects must involve at least one clinician, researcher, or trainee within the Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Proposals focused on palliative care are also welcome.
The Wake Forest University School of Medicine Sticht Center for Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Prevention in collaboration with the Advocate Health System promotes promising innovative ideas that have potential for immediate impact on the health care and wellness of older adults.
- Overall Objective: To promote the rapid translation of innovative concepts from either research or clinical care into the larger health system spanning wellness and prevention to diagnosis, treatment or coordinated care for seniors.
- Key goal: Facilitating the development and testing novel interventions or care models. The program funds full pilot innovation projects that have a high probability for scaling to this and other health systems and communities.
Members of the health system, school of medicine, or training program may submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). Proposals may be initiated by or include professionals from all fields, including nursing, therapy, pharmacy, advanced practice providers, administrators, and both research and non-research faculty or staff.
For additional details, please review the RFA. All LOIs must be submitted through the REDCap submission link and must be received by December 1, 5:00pm EST.
Inquiries are strongly encouraged so that we can provide specific guidance in developing relevant and successful proposals. For additional information or clarification please contact: Laura Hayworth and Renee Woodard.
Letter of Intent Deadline: December 1, 2025 at 5:00PM ET
Research Centers
An Institutionally-Supported Research Center is an interdepartmental unit focused predominantly on translational, clinical and/or basic science research which facilitates development of a common, focused research agenda aligned with strategic priorities, coordinating contributions from multiple disciplines (other centers, divisions/departments, and programs). We are pleased to announce the following opportunities are now available:
Research Centers – The purpose of this RFA is to invite applications to develop an Institutionally-Supported Advocate Health/Wake Forest University School of Medicine Research Center. This document also provides the framework for a renewal application of an existing center. Research Centers support mature areas of research that reflect depth in translational, clinical and/or basic science research. View the full RFA for Research Centers here.
Emerging Research Centers - The purpose of this RFA is to invite applications to develop an Institutionally-Supported Advocate Health/Wake Forest University School of Medicine Emerging Research Center. This document also provides the framework for a renewal application of an existing center. Emerging Research Centers support new ideas in need of investment for growth. The investment is intended to catalyze the formation of a team for the specific purpose of developing a strategic vision in order to grow a critical base of extramurally funded research. This research can be established in translational, clinical and/or basic science research. View the full RFA for Emerging Research Centers here.
Direct questions and applications to Lynne Wagenknecht, Vice Dean for Population Health Research, and/or Lindsay Trost, CTSI Administrative Director.
Foundation Funding Opportunities
Interested applicants may contact the Foundation Relations Team.
| Biochemistry, Rheumatology, Varied | Chan Zuckerberg Initiative | Advancing Technologies for Spatiotemporal Omics in Live Tissue |
$1,000,000 | 11/13/2025 |
| Women's Health | Burroughs Wellcome Fund | Next Gen Pregnancy Initiative |
$500,000 | 12/4/2025 |
| Cancer | Cancer Research Institute | Lloyd J. Old STAR Program | $1,250,000 | 1/15/2025 |
View More Foundation Funding Opportunities
The Duke Endowment
The Duke Endowment has a long history of supporting our health system across the Carolinas. In accordance with the Endowment's request, all inquiries from the health system will be routed through the designated Philanthropy/Foundation representatives in each market. If you are based in the Charlotte market, please reach out to Rachel Ellis. Those in the Winston market, please contact Chad Daniel.
The Duke Endowment will not accept or review any applications submitted directly by faculty who have not coordinated with the Philanthropy/Foundation representative in their market. This ensures all submissions are properly managed and align with the Endowment's expectations and current funding priorities.
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Other
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NeuroNEXT Grant
The NeuroNEXT Network is designed to efficiently conduct Phase II Clinical Trials. NeuroNEXT Network is now accepting proposals. Applications for exploratory clinical trials of investigational agents (drugs, biologics, surgical therapies or devices) that may contribute to the justification for and provide the data required for designing a future trial, for biomarker validation studies, or for proof of mechanism clinical studies are encouraged. Successful applicants will be given access to the NeuroNEXT infrastructure to support the efficient implementation of the proposed study at multiple sites and statistical and data management.
If you are interested, please schedule a meeting to discuss your proposal with the NeuroNEXT Study Team. This opportunity is ongoing until 2028.
- Benefits of Partnering with NeuroNEXT
- Applying for a NeuroNEXT Grant
- Contact: Mysha Sissine, Program Manager
NIH
Professional Associations and Societies
Please refer to the individual Program or Funding Opportunity Announcement for deadline information.
- American Cancer Society
- The Triological Society
- American Heart Association
- American Gastroenterological Association
- American Federation for Aging Research
- Alzheimer's Association
- ALS Association
- American Diabetes Association
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education
- Society for Pediatric Dermatology
Additional Resources
Listed below are some quick ways to find external funding opportunities through search mechanisms and announcement listservs.
Additional Resources
- For detailed information on funding opportunities, search www.grants.gov with keywords related to your research interests.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- NIH Career Development Awards (K-Series)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- North Carolina Biotechnology Center