The CCTS annual pilot program is officially open and accepting applications from full-time investigators with a faculty appointment at one of our CCTS Partner institutions (Auburn University, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Southern Research, Tuskegee University, University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Mississippi, University of South Alabama).
“Our goal is to fund new interdisciplinary clinical and translational projects that are consistent with the CCTS mission, which aims to reduce disparities in health conditions that disproportionately affect our regional population, and that foster collaboration, team science, and innovative discovery,” said CCTS Research Commons Executive Administrator Dr. Jennifer Croker.
The CCTS Hub commits up to half of the $60,000 direct cost award, with the applicant expected to identify at least one non-CCTS cosponsor. Awards are limited to 12 months, with a start date of April 1, 2019. The first step of the two-phase application process is to submit a pre-application by 5pm CDT on August 15, 2018. We strongly encourage all potential applicants take the time to read the full RFA prior to beginning the pre-application process.
So what are the ingredients for a successful CCTS pilot proposal?
- Research can be at any stage along the translational path, from the biological basis of health and disease to interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public.
- Research should address scientific questions of particular importance to the health of our communities, including health disparities, health challenges across the life course (e.g., premature birth, pediatric or geriatric conditions), health literacy and/or numeracy, and environmental factors related to health.
- Proposals to investigate the operational principles underlying each step of the translational process are also welcome.
- Special consideration will be given to projects involving community-engaged research, population health investigation, or innovative approaches to clinical trial recruitment.
- Collaboration is another key factor. “Special consideration will also be given to projects that bring together investigators from two or more CCTS Partner institutions,” Croker explained.
An updated pilot program web page highlights key dates and other important considerations. It provides links to the RFA as well as the pre-application and a flyer for the program. Please help us spread the word of this unique opportunity by sharing the flyer with any potentially interested colleagues!
Questions? Please contact CCTS Interdisciplinary Network Pilot Program Manager Madeline Gibson at