Pilot Grants Program


Early Career Investigator Pilot Awards

Mentored Pilot Research Project awards (similar to K08, K23 and K99 awards) provide one year of funding to support research projects and career development activities that will enhance the applicant’s ability to compete successfully for an independent R- or K-series award (e.g., acquisition of preliminary data, training in grant preparation). The projects can address a variety of topics, including vaccinology, therapeutics, laboratory studies and statistics. Scientists (MD, PhD or equivalent) nearing completion of postdoc or in early faculty positions (instructor or assistant professor) and those whom not have served as principal investigator (PI) or MPI on an R-grant (other than an R03) with NIH are eligible. Serving as PI on a K-series or other mentored career award does not preclude eligibility.

Request for Applications: IDCRC 2024 Pilot Awards

Please review the RFA for additional eligibility information. To maximize the success of pilot research projects with funding that is limited to a 12-month period, we strongly encourage the submission of pilot proposals that utilize existing data and/or samples that have IRB clearance for the intended use. 

Abstract due date: May 31, 2024
Application due date: August 2, 2024

VIEW RFA HERE

2022-2023 Pilot Award Recipients

Fei Gao, PhD
Fei Gao, PhD

Assistant Professor, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Epidemiology, Fred Hutch Cancer Center

Project Title: Statistical methods for evaluating vaccine efficacy against asymptomatic and symptomatic infections using infrequent diagnostic testing data

Daniel Graciaa, MD, MSc, MPH
Daniel Graciaa, MD, MSc, MPH

Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine

Project Title: Epigenetic immune changes after BCG vaccination in adults

Vanessa Raabe, MD, MSc
Vanessa Raabe, MD, MSc

Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases, New York University

Project Title: Cross-reactive IgG antibodies to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection

Tara Reid, MD, PhD
Tara Reid, MD, PhD

Acting Instructor, Infectious Diseases, University of Washington

Project Title: Single cell analysis of human secondary syphilis skin lesions to measure innate and pathogen-specific immune responses

2022 Pilot Award Recipients

Jayaum Booth, PhD
Jayaum Booth, PhD

Research Associate, Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Project Title: Human intestinal TRM: Distinct cross-reactive responses against enteric pathogens

Stephanie Rolsma, MD
Stephanie Rolsma, MD

Fellow, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Project Title: Population PK/PD of Beta-Lactams in Critically Ill Children and Adults

2021 Pilot Award Recipients

Meagan Deming, MD, PhD
Meagan Deming, MD, PhD

Infectious Diseases Fellow, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Project Title: Seasonal coronavirus immunity and effects on SARS-CoV-2 immune response

Erin Scherer, PhD, DPhil
Erin Scherer, PhD, DPhil

Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine; Director, Emory VTEU Research Laboratory

Project Title: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Fc glycosylation and its role in COVID-19 immunopathology