The IHER Pilot Grant program is targeted at junior faculty and early-stage investigators (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-stage/index.htm), including post-doctoral researchers who are currently employed by Delaware State University (DSU). Funding will support research focused on health disparities, as well as the academic and scientific maturation of the PIs, as defined by: 1) the design and implementation of a long-range research plan; 2) the establishment of preliminary and publishable data; and 3) the successful procurement of extramural funding for their research program. 

We anticipate funding 5 new pilot projects per year for 24-months duration, with a maximum budget of $50,000 (direct cost) each year. Two of the five  pilot projects will be co-funded by DE-CTR ACCEL program. Recipients of co-funding will be informed at the time of award decision. Co-funded pilot PIs will be required to present their projects at both RCMI and DE-CTR ACCEL annual meetings/other RCMI/ACCEL conferences etc.  These individuals will also be required to acknowledge both DE-CTR ACCEL support and RCMI in publications. Indirect costs are not provided for IHER pilot grants. A typical pilot grant will support clinical research coordinators, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students, as well as appropriate amounts for supplies, travel, etc. 

Project objectives must be aligned with the IHER Center’s thematic focus of biomedical, behavioral and social research related to health disparities, and they should have the potential to launch the PI’s long-term health equity research agenda. The proposals must also include a plan for receiving mentorship from an established investigator with expertise relevant to the project, a plan for submitting a proposal for external funding, and a plan for engaging with a community-based partner for dissemination (assistance in identifying a community engagement partner will be provided if necessary). Pilot project awardees will receive a 50% reduction in their teaching load to allow them sufficient time to work toward the success of their project. The release time is NOT part of the pilot project budget.

Research funded by IHER pilot grants should not overlap with the neuroscience COBRE pilot grant program, and pilot grants must be scientifically distinct from any ongoing funded projects.