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. |
Special Populations Voucher FundsStudies 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:
- Translational Pilot Program Ignition Funds
Deadline: 5/06/25
- Research Salary Bridge Funding
Deadline: 7/01/25
- Early Career Salary Support
Deadline: 7/01/25
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. Funding amount will vary from $1,000 to $30,000. Projects costing above $7,500 require a preliminary discussion with Elizabeth Whiting and/or Lauren Iley-Spear.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis between May 2024 – August 2025. Faculty or staff from The Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Advocate Health System are encouraged to apply. Estimated time required to complete application: 30+ minutes. Download Character in Medicine Grant Application. Contact Elizabeth Whiting or Lauren Iley-Spear with questions.
April Deadlines
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Cardiovascular Sciences Center 2025 Request for Pilot Awards
The Cardiovascular Sciences Center (CVSC) is seeking proposals for projects in need of support to promote new areas or technologies for cardiovascular research (basic, clinical, population), as well as to foster collaborative efforts or new collaborations. The goal of the pilot project is to allow investigators to pursue novel and innovative ideas that will improve the likelihood of obtaining extramural funding. The funding is also meant to allow investigators to perform critical experiments, access core facilities or improve analyses that address specific critiques raised by reviewers for extramural funding. Additional details can be found in the RFA. For questions about your research project, please contact Dr. Liliya Yamaleyeva.
Successful pilots will receive up to $20,000 to be spent within a 12-month project period. These awards are open to PIs with a rank of instructor or higher from Wake Forest (Health Sciences & University), Atrium Health, or Advocate Health. If funded, the PI is expected to become a member and contribute to the CVSC mission.
Applications should be submitted through the ePilot electronic submission system.
Deadline: April 15, 2025 at 11:59PM ET
Wake Forest Pepper Pilot Studies Program RFA
The Wake Forest Pepper Pilot Studies Program promotes promising new research ideas by providing funds for generation of preliminary data for development of grant applications leading to external funding of larger, definitive studies. Overall objective is to promote translational research to assess biological, behavioral, cognitive, genomic, metabolic, and other factors which contribute to age-related physical function decline, or progression to disability. Key goal is facilitating the development and testing in clinical/pre-clinical studies of novel interventions targeting age-related decline in physical function to prevent/reverse progression to disability. The program funds full pilot studies, proposals with plans to add measures to existing studies, and exploratory analyses of existing databases and archived biofluid and tissue samples.
Innovative, multidisciplinary, geroscience-based, and translational approaches are encouraged, as are involvement of junior faculty as well as faculty from outside fields interested in aging research. For additional information, please view the RFA.
Here is the submission procedure. Inquiries are strongly encouraged so that we can provide specific guidance in developing relevant and successful proposals. For additional information or clarification please contact: Dr. Tom Register, Dr. Dalane Kitzman or Dr. Tina Brinkley. Administrative inquiries are to be directed to Abby Archer.
Application Process Timeline
- Letter of Intent deadline: Friday, April 18, 2025 by 5:00 pm
- Full Application deadline: Friday, May 30, 2025 by 5:00 pm
- Funding decisions communicated: August 2025
Spring Common Deadline Pilot Request for Applications
Pilot funding opportunities are now available through the 2025 Spring Common Deadline! All letters of intent are due April 25th for the participating centers below. For more details, please review the linked RFAs.
Center RFA |
Letter of Intent Deadline |
Award Amount |
| Wake Forest Clinical and Tranlsational Science Institute (CTSI) Translational Research | 04/25/2025 at 11:59PM ET | $40,000 |
| Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) | 04/25/2025 at 11:59PM ET | $40,000 |
| Center for Health System Sciences (CHASSIS) | 04/25/2025 at 11:59PM ET | $20,000 |
| Center for Prevention Science in Child and Family Health (CPSCHFH) | 04/25/2025 at 11:59PM ET | $40,000 |
|
04/25/2025 at 11:59PM ET |
$40,000 |
Letters of intent should be submitted through the Common Deadline ePilot electronic submission system. Investigators can access the electronic submission link in each RFA.
May Deadlines
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Research “Shark Tank” Awards
Do you have a research idea that could enhance healthcare but need resources and mentorship to transform it into a structured project? The CTSI is looking for clinically relevant project ideas for consideration in a virtual “shark tank” competition, competing for a $5,000 investment and other research resources for the project. Selected applicants will be asked to give timed pitches limited to 5 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of active conversation with the “sharks” (researchers and administrators from the CTSI). Sharks will grade each project on its feasibility, potential impact, and enthusiasm.
Project Criteria:
- Address an existing issue or problem currently affecting our patient population.
- Propose a new practice, treatment, tool, approach, etc. that has the potential to improve patient care.
- Consider ways to disseminate changes or new best practice to the affected patient population.
Applications should be submitted through the Research Shark Tank Submission system. Questions should be directed to Katelyn Still.
Key Dates:
- Applications Due: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:59PM ET
- Selection of Presenters: May 19, 2025
- Virtual Research “Shark Tank:" Friday, May 30, 2025 at 2-3:30PM 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 Foundations Relations team at foundations@wakehealth.edu.
| Cancer | Prostate Cancer Foundation | 2025 Prostate Cancer Foundation Team Science Challenge Awards |
$1,000,000 | 5/5/2025 |
| Rheumatology | Arthritis Foundation | Large Research Awards LOI |
$450,000 | 6/2/2025 |
| Geriatrics and Gerontology | Harrington Discovery Institute | Brain Health Medicines Scholar Award |
$100,000 | 6/30/2025 |
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.
Brain Research Foundation: 2026 Scientific Innovations Award
Brain Research Foundation (BRF) is inviting eligible institutions to nominate one (1) senior faculty member to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the 2026 Scientific Innovations Award (SIA). The purpose of the program is to provide funding for innovative science in both basic and clinical neuroscience. This award provides $100,000 in direct costs for a two-year period. Applicants must be a full-time associate professor or full professor working in the of studies of brain function in health and disease. Additional information can be found in the RFA.
Interested applicants should submit LOIs following the BRF guidelines electronically to the application system by Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:59PM ET. Questions should be directed to Katelyn Still.
Deadlines:
- Internal Deadline: May 9, 2025 at 11:59PM ET
- Selection of External Applicant: May 26, 2025
- External Deadline: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 4:00PM CT
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