The Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center is soliciting applications for pilot and feasibility projects to support new research initiatives in cystic fibrosis pathophysiology and intervention. The pilot and feasibility mechanism is designed to provide support (two years, up to $75,000/year direct costs for translational research) that can lead to subsequent external funding. Projects should test innovative hypotheses that may have significant impact on basic or clinical aspects of the disease and lead to preliminary data for independent grants in the broad area of cystic fibrosis science.

The CF Center funds four pilot awards per cycle: Two pilots are supported by the NIDDK, thus pilot awards that focus on NIDDK relevant topic areas (digestion, nutrition, exercise, kidney disease, diabetes and endocrinology) will receive special consideration for those slots. The other two pilots are supported by the CF Foundation. Pilots awards that research our research focus areas or use CF Center Cores are considered favorably.

2022 CALL FOR PILOT AND FEASIBILITY PROJECT APPLICATIONS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS

The Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center is soliciting applications for pilot and feasibility projects to support new research initiatives in cystic fibrosis pathophysiology and intervention. The pilot and feasibility mechanism is designed to provide support (two years, $65,000/year direct costs for translational or basic research) that can lead to subsequent external funding. Projects should test innovative hypotheses that may have significant impact on basic or clinical aspects of the disease and lead to preliminary data for independent grants in the broad area of cystic fibrosis science.

The CF Center funds four pilot awards per cycle: Two pilots are supported by the NIDDK, thus pilot awards that focus on NIDDK relevant topic areas (digestion, nutrition, exercise, kidney disease, diabetes, and endocrinology) will receive special consideration for those slots. The other two pilots are supported by the CF Foundation. Pilots awards related to our research focus areas (CF complications, such as infections, inflammation, excessive mucus, and gastrointestinal issues, to develop better treatments and improve outcomes for people with CF) or use of CF Center Cores (see our website) are considered favorably.

RFA Timeline:
Oct. 25, 2022 - Letter of Intent due
Nov. 18, 2022 - Applications selected for full (5 page) applications
Jan. 25, 2023 - Full applications due
Mar. 17, 2023 - Pilots selected for funding (with clearance from NIDDK/CFF) 
March-April, 2023 - Clearance from NIDDK/CFF for clinical research/trials
May/July 2023 - Funding is initiated

Investigators who meet one of the three following criteria are eligible to apply:
1. New investigators without current or past NIH research project support as a principal investigator (modest current or past support from other sources is acceptable). Those who meet the NIH’s criteria as a New Investigator or Early Stage Investigator are eligible to apply (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/index.htm).
2. Established, funded investigators with no previous work in cystic fibrosis or CF-related areas who wish to lend their expertise to a CF-related problem, primarily with a translational or patient-oriented focus.
3. Established investigators in cystic fibrosis or CF-related areas who wish to test the feasibility of an innovative idea, which constitutes a significant departure from their funded research.

Eligible applicants must have a faculty appointment and be an independent investigator.

Interested faculty should submit a Letter of Intent to our application portal, by 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 25 that includes the following:
1. 1-page description of project aims, significance, and method of approach; and core utilization
2. NIH-format biographical sketch
These documents should be sent using the form at the UAB Office of Research P&F page. Responsive applications will be invited to submit a 5-page research proposal.

2022_Call_for_CFRC_Pilot_applicationsv2KK12.pdf

For additional information, please contact Jeffrey Allison at jcallison@uabmc.edu.