The Research Development Office recently hosted an Introduction to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) webinar. The recording is now available and can be accessed by logging in with your BlazerID.

The session featured guest speaker Natalia Lapinskaya, MSc, a Program Officer in PCORI’s Clinical Comparative Effectiveness Research division. In her role, Lapinskaya manages a large portfolio of funded awards and provides scientific oversight for the development and launch of targeted funding opportunities. Her work focuses on areas including digital health, neurological conditions, sleep health, and communication disorders.

The webinar provides an overview of PCORI, an independent nonprofit organization that funds research designed to help patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers make informed decisions. PCORI supports studies that compare the benefits and risks of different healthcare interventions—including treatments, services, and diagnostic approaches—with an emphasis on outcomes that matter most to patients.

Designed as an introductory session, the webinar offers valuable insight into PCORI’s funding priorities, review processes, and opportunities for investigator engagement. It also addresses how patient-centered research approaches can strengthen proposal competitiveness.

Faculty and research staff interested in pursuing PCORI funding are encouraged to view the recording and connect with the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for support. Services include identifying funding opportunities, refining project concepts, and providing proposal development guidance to enhance the success of submissions.

The Research Development Office (RDO) recently hosted Navigating Non-Governmental Funding, a webinar featuring Dr. Kelvin Chu of The Implementation Group (TIG), who shared practical guidance on pursuing philanthropic funding opportunities.

As federal funding cycles grow more competitive and uncertain, Dr. Chu emphasized the value of diversifying funding strategies. Non-governmental sources—including private foundations, corporate sponsors, and professional societies—can offer faster timelines, greater flexibility, and support for high-risk, high-reward ideas, though they require careful attention to mission alignment, indirect costs, and intellectual property considerations.

A key takeaway from the session was the importance of relationships. Unlike federal funding, where peer review is central, foundation funding decisions are often driven by program staff and strategic priorities. Building connections with funders, understanding their missions, and engaging over time are critical to success.

Dr. Chu also highlighted the need to adapt proposal strategies. Non-governmental applications are typically shorter and written for a broader audience, requiring clear, accessible narratives that emphasize impact, outcomes, and alignment with the funder’s goals.

RDO thanks Dr. Kelvin Chu and The Implementation Group for their partnership and insights. TIG is a proven research development and strategic assessment firm specializing in positioning, proposal development, and team science to increase researchers’ competitiveness for external funding. Through our partnership, their services are available to UAB’s faculty at no charge.

Faculty interested in exploring non-governmental funding opportunities or requesting consultation from TIG are encouraged to contact the Research Development Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Congressionally Directed Research Programs (CDMRP) has announced $1.27 billion in research funding for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), supporting high-impact, high-risk projects that address critical gaps in biomedical research. CDMRP is known for its unique approach to funding, prioritizing research that directly benefits military personnel, veterans, and the broader public while fostering innovation across disciplines.

CDMRP has historically funded a broad range of health-related topics, from cancer and neurological disorders to infectious diseases and regenerative medicine. Unlike traditional NIH mechanisms, CDMRP programs are shaped by congressional directives and stakeholder input, often prioritizing bold, transformative research with potential for rapid translation into practice. Funding areas for FY26 are listed below:

• Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders Research Program - $4.0 million
• Alzheimer’s Research Program - $15.0 million
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program - $40.0 million
• Arthritis Research Program - $10.0 million
• Autism Research Program - $8.0 million
• Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research Program - $7.5 million
• Breast Cancer Research Program - $145.0 million
• Combat Readiness Medical Research Program - $5.0 million
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program - $12.5 million
• Epilepsy Research Program - $12.0 million
• Hearing Restoration Research Program - $5.0 million
• Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program - $10.0 million
• Kidney Cancer Research Program - $15.0 million
• Lung Cancer Research Program - $20.0 million
• Lupus Research Program - $10.0 million
• Melanoma Research Program - $40.0 million
• Military Burn Research Program - $10.0 million
• Multiple Sclerosis Research Program - $15.0 million
• Neurofibromatosis Research Program - $25.0 million
• Orthopaedic Research Program - $20.0 million
• Ovarian Cancer Research Program - $50.0 million
• Pancreatic Cancer Research Program - $20.0 million
• Parkinson’s Research Program - $16.0 million
• Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program, 20 topics - $165.0 million
• Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, 52 topics - $370.0 million
• Prostate Cancer Research Program - $75.0 million
• Rare Cancers Research Program - $17.5 million
• Reconstructive Transplant Research Program - $12.0 million
• Spinal Cord Injury Research Program - $33.0 million
• Tick-Borne Disease Research Program - $7.0 million
• Toxic Exposures Research Program - $15.0 million
• Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program - $40.5 million
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program - $10.0 million
• Vision Research Program - $10.0 million

We encourage researchers across disciplines to explore CDMRP opportunities and consider how their expertise aligns with these funding priorities. The Research Development Office is available to help navigate funding announcements, develop competitive proposals, and facilitate collaborations to strengthen submissions. If you’re interested in pursuing CDMRP funding, reach out to our team for guidance and support.

Funding opportunity announcements, including detailed descriptions of award mechanism intent, evaluation criteria, submission requirements, and deadlines, will be shared soon. Visit the CDMRP webpage to learn more.

March 31, 2025

The Research Development Office (RDO) is growing our capabilities to support the UAB research enterprise with the addition of Jeremy Arnold, Project Manager II, to our team. Jeremy brings wide ranging expertise in nonprofits, grantsmanship, and consulting. In this new role, Jeremy will continue RDO’s efforts to connect researchers to resources and bolster their competitiveness in obtaining funding. Jeremy will also be a key administrator tasked with supporting UAB’s centers and institutes program. Whether you’re interested in support finding funding, crafting a competitive proposal, or facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, Jeremy and the RDO are here to help! Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a consultation or learn more.

Sep. 6, 2023

Research Matters is a weekly newsletter designed to effectively inform the UAB research community of important updates that affect research administration. The Office of Research Development regularly publishes news and updates through Research Matters. Subscribe so you do not miss our news and announcements!