Purpose
The goal of the Alliance Pilot Projects Program (PPP) is to increase the number of underrepresented scientists in clinical and translational research dedicated to the study of health conditions affecting a Hispanic population. The objective of the PPP is to increase the cadre of underrepresented minorities (URM), independent investigators, by advancing their development in clinical and translational research with an emphasis on community. The PPP will address the objectives of the IDeA-CTR in sustaining the collaboration and coordination of clinical and translational research and addressing health conditions prevalently affecting the medically underserved Hispanic population in Puerto Rico (PR). The PPP will also help implement the Alliance objective to integrate basic, clinical, and translational research among the Alliance partners, collaborating partners, and IDeA state organizations. The PPP will facilitate access to resources, mentorship, and technology for the success of the URM investigators in transitioning into independent researchers. This call provides the guidelines and evaluation criteria for research proposal submissions.
Research Scope
Research proposals should emphasize developing clinical and translational research in one of the Alliance identified health conditions affecting the Hispanic population
However, other conditions relevant to our Hispanic population can be submitted. This year we are prioritizing research studies on the topic of Emerging Infection COVID-19. Studies using short interventions to obtain preliminary data aimed at future larger interventions to decrease an established health disparity need to comply with NIH Clinical Trials’ new definitions and registration at the clinical trials site.
Available Support
Seven (7) pilots will receive up to $50,000 for a one-year study. Two (2) pilots may be extended to a second year with adequate justification. At least one award will involve community engagement.
Eligibility
- PIs may be junior faculty (early stage and new investigators) or an established investigator embarking into a new area of clinical and translational research that is different from their previous research. Individuals holding postdoctoral fellowships or other positions that lack independent status are not eligible to lead pilot projects. The PI of the pilot project should not have concurrent research funding from other IDeA Program award mechanisms (e.g., INBRE, COBRE). For more information, please contact antonia.ortiz@upr.edu)
- A committed and experienced mentor for the PI’s career development must be identified. All projects must have a research approach and a career development plan and may not overlap with ongoing funded projects. The career development plan should represent the work between mentor-mentee. Distant mentoring for special areas of interest are encouraged; however, the PI must have a local mentor and a detailed career development plan.
- All mentors/co-mentors must submit a letter of support specifying detailed mentoring activities, and their biosketch.
- Projects should be about health issues that the Alliance has targeted as affecting the PR population. This year we are prioritizing research studies on the topic of Emerging Infection COVID-19.
- Clinical research is strongly encouraged and will be prioritized. Projects must include collaborations among basic, clinical (including behavioral), and/or translational scientists. Community projects must be community-based and must include community and academic partners, and Community Engagement.
- Collaboration among other institutions of the Alliance is highly recommended and will be prioritized. Other collaborations with the Alliance partners are encouraged.
Important Dates
- PPP Call for 2022-2023: August 16, 2021
- Deadline for Concept paper submission has been extended to: November 14, 2021 at midnight
- Invitation to submit a 6-page pilot project: December 1, 2021
- Invited pilot project submission deadline: February 7, 2022
- Evaluation Process: February 7- March 7, 2022
- Earliest date to start: July 2022
Submit Concept Paper
Submission Instructions
- Submit a Concept Paper no later than November 14, 2021. Any applications received after the deadline, will not be reviewed. If you have problems please contact Mrs. Antonia L Ortiz.
- If you are invited to submit a pilot project be ready to submit the complete Pilot Project with the following documents.
