New Pilot Projects Approved
Research + Collaboration + Community
About the Core
From promising ideas to meaningful health impact.
The overall objective of the Health Research Core is to strengthen clinical and translational research by providing funding to investigators, supporting preliminary data generation for competitive grants, and promoting multidisciplinary collaborations.
The Core fosters investigator development through training, mentorship, grant-writing support, and continuous tracking of career progression and research productivity.
Core Objectives
Three priorities guide our efforts to strengthen clinical and translational research.
01
Fund Innovation
Support innovative, interdisciplinary clinical and translational research on health issues affecting Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland.
02
Connect Investigators
Support the development and implementation of multisite and multidisciplinary collaborative research.
03
Develop Researchers
Foster the development of competitive investigators in clinical and translational research.
Programs & Funding Opportunities
Funding mechanisms designed to help investigators generate evidence, strengthen collaborations, and move research toward competitive external funding.
Pilot Projects
$50K
1 Year
Build the Evidence
Purpose: Evaluate feasibility and generate preliminary data for NIH applications or equivalent funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Early-stage and new investigators, clinical fellows, and established investigators entering a new research focus.
Developmental Projects
$100K
Per Year · 2 Years
Advance the Research
Purpose: Advance projects toward R01-level funding mechanisms.
Eligibility: Established investigators.
Collaborative Funding
$100K
Per Year · 2 Years
Build the Collaboration
Purpose: Support collaborative research positioned to advance toward R01-level funding mechanisms.
Eligibility: Established investigators.
Find Your Funding
Which opportunity fits your project?
I need preliminary data
I’m preparing for R01-level funding
I’m building a research collaboration
I need targeted proposal support
Other Small Grants
| Let Me Help You Program | Up to $10K | |
| Special Projects and Community-Academic-Provider Partnerships | $10K | |
| RCDC Big Data Small Projects | $8K | UPCOMING |
| Accelerated High Impact Grants | $10K | UPCOMING |
Research in Action
Sharing Research
Investigators presenting findings and building scientific connections.
Working Together
Multidisciplinary research in action.
Success Stories
See how Alliance programs, mentorship, and research resources can help investigators strengthen their careers and advance toward competitive external funding.
Featured Investigator
How the Alliance Supported Dr. Elsa Orellano on Her Path to an R01
Dr. Elsa Orellano’s path toward securing an R01 was not always straightforward. Along the way, she faced proposals that were not reviewed, unfavorable scores, and moments of disappointment. Each experience, however, became an opportunity to learn, strengthen her proposal, and continue moving forward.
Throughout her journey, Dr. Orellano drew on multiple Alliance resources, including grant-writing courses, professional development in research, mentoring, protected research time, financial support, access to mentors and subject-matter experts, ongoing follow-up, and encouragement throughout the process.
See how these resources, together with her perseverance and optimism, helped her continue refining her work and ultimately reach an important milestone: securing R01 funding.
Dr. Elsa Orellano
Her journey to R01 funding with Alliance support
Pilot Project
Awardees
PROJECT: Wastewater-based epidemiology for early detection of Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Puerto Rico
PROJECT: Decoding pediatric osteosarcoma biology in the Puerto Rican Population
PROJECT: β-amyloid as a marker for GBM bioimaging
