CTSI Pilot Awards

The CTSI Pilot Awards are now open. There are two separate RFAs; one for Basic/Translational Science and one for Clinical/Population Health. Successful pilots will receive up to $40,000 in direct costs. 

Basic/Translational Science - Download RFA

The purpose of this RFA is to support high impact pilot projects that help catalyze translation of discoveries to treatments or the delivery of care. Funds for up to four pilot projects will be supported by the NIH/NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award awarded to Wake Forest. The ultimate aim of this program is to make research investments that maximize healthcare value and improve health. The immediate aim is to allow investigators to develop, test, or disseminate novel approaches to a translational research question and obtain preliminary data in support of larger follow-up investigations. Examples of pilot studies include feasibility studies, secondary analysis of existing data, development of new research methodology and/or new tools, dissemination of effective tools, methods, processes, or early development of new therapy/technology. A preferred, but not required characteristic is that such research not only address a translational research question, but also provide insights that could be generalized to other projects. Generalizable solutions are ones that can be applied to other patient populations or disease mechanisms (e.g. how the technique can be used in other disease states; how the process can be used in a different patient population). Consistent with NCATS mission, projects should help catalyze translation of discoveries to treatments or the delivery of care Interdisciplinary teams that represent a combination of clinicians and basic scientists, adult and pediatric researchers and/or junior and senior investigators are strongly encouraged.

Clinical/Population Health - Download RFA

The purpose of this RFA is to support high impact pilot projects that help catalyze translation of discoveries to treatments or the delivery of care. Funds for up to six pilot projects will be supported by the NIH/NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award awarded to Wake Forest. The ultimate aim of this program is to make research investments that maximize healthcare value and improve population health. The immediate aim is to allow investigators to develop, test, or disseminate novel approaches to a translational research question and obtain preliminary data in support of larger follow-up investigations. Examples of pilot studies include feasibility studies, secondary analysis of existing data, development of new research methodology and/or new tools, dissemination of effective tools, methods, processes, or early development of new therapy/technology and can include investigation of patient or health care provider behaviors. Consistent with NCATS mission, projects should help catalyze translation of discoveries to treatments or the delivery of care. Clinician scientists, teams that include both clinicians and basic scientists, interdisciplinary teams that represent a combination of clinicians and basic scientists, adult and pediatric researchers and/or junior and senior investigators are all strongly encouraged to apply.

Clinical/Population Health projects should fall into at least one of the following areas:

• Learning Healthcare System  
• Biomedical Informatics  
• Health Disparities
• Implementation Science

Informatics Supplement Award

Note that the Center for Biomedical Informatics (WFBMI) is offering a $10,000 bonus for one of the pilot awards if the proposed project involves informatics researchers, techniques and methods. This bonus will be awarded to one pilot proposal evaluated as meritorious by CTSI Administrators and the IRSC and additional review by the leadership of the Wake Forest Center for Biomedical Informatics (the resulting pilot award will be in the amount of up to $50,000). 

Important Dates/Timeline

Questions? 

For questions, please contact Brittney Jackson at britjack@wakehealth.edu.