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Pilot Project Program
The Pilot Project Program (PPP) was established under the Investigator Development Core (IDC) to provide career development support and mentoring to Early Stage Investigators (ESI) in biomedical, clinical, and behavioral research.
Through the program, awardees:
- generate preliminary data with the goal of increasing competitiveness for NIH and other external health research funding,
- establish strong and successful research programs, and
- develop team science and translational research skills.
Learn about the program
PPP Accomplishments
Since its establishment in 2017, the PPP has engaged investigators across various colleges and academic units and two NAU Centers – the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute and the Center for Community Health and Engaged Research. Lead investigators have secured competitive grants, including numerous NIH awards; PPP researchers were awarded the first K01 and K99-R00 PPP awards in NAU’s history. At the end of funding cycle 1, 95% (19/20) of the PPP projects obtained external funding after the pilot award, focused on clinical, biomedical, or social-behavioral work.
Now in its second 5-year cycle, PPP awardees continue to obtain post-program grants and awards, publish peer-reviewed work, and engage in collaborative work with community partners.
Pilot Project Program Funding Opportunities
The 2024-2025 call for proposals is closed. Check back for updates!
For program information, including complete instructions for LOI submission, see the Call for Proposals PDF document under Resources.
Eligibility
SHERC’s PPP welcomes applications of investigators who are at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure eligible), Assistant Research Professor, Assistant Clinical Professor, Assistant Teaching Professor, Assistant Professor of Practice, Lecturer or Postdoctoral Scholar (faculty at the Associate or Full Professor rank are not eligible).
Pilot Project Program Research Foci
Proposed PPP projects must focus on biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research, with priority given to exemplary projects that (1) address health disparities of diseases/conditions that impact populations in the Southwestern United States, and (2) apply principles of team science (e.g. interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary) and translational research.
Funding
Projects will be funded for $50,000 per year for 2 years.
Pilot Projects, Year 1 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 1
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded five new Pilot Projects during the first annual cycle of the grant that are all completed.
Pilot Projects, Year 2 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 2
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded three new Pilot Projects during the second annual cycle of the grant that are all completed.
Pilot Projects, Year 3 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 3
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded four new Pilot Projects during the third annual cycle of the grant.
Pilot Projects, Year 4 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 4
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded four new Pilot Projects during the fourth annual cycle of the grant.
Pilot Projects, Year 5 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 5
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded three new Pilot Projects during the fifth annual cycle of the grant.
Pilot Projects, Years 6 & 7 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Years 6 & 7
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded six new Pilot Projects during the sixth and seventh annual cycles of the grant.
Pilot Projects, Year 8 Accordion Closed
Pilot Projects, Year 8
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded three new Pilot Projects during the eighth annual cycle of the grant.
For further information, please complete our contact form.