STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of this Pilot Project Grant opportunity is to strengthen collaboration between basic and clinical researchers by supporting innovative, interdisciplinary research partnerships. The program will promote meaningful mentorship and professional development, particularly for early-career investigators, while creating opportunities for researchers to build sustainable collaborations.
In addition, this Pilot Project Grant is intended to position investigators for successful extramural funding by supporting preliminary research, collaborative pilot projects, and the development of competitive external grant applications.
ELIGIBILITY
The application process is open to MD, PhD, or MD/PhD in the rank of Assistant Professor or Research Assistant Professor.
Applications involving the collaboration of basic and clinical researchers will be prioritized.
Each funding opportunity will require a mentor/mentorship plan.
The proposed study cannot overlap with any existing awards of the applicant or the mentor.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REVIEW TIMELINE
Announcement and solicitation of applications: September 1, 2026.
Second and third announcements of applications: October 1 and November 1, 2026.
Application submission deadline: is December 1st, 2026, by 5 PM EST.
Awardee announcement date: January 1, 2027.
FUNDING LEVEL
Funding ($20,000) will be provided for 12-month research projects starting January 1st, 2027, and completing 12/31/2027. The available extension is a one-time three-month extension.
INSTRUCTIONS:
The application (Arial with a minimum 11-point type size, margins - 0.5 inch):
1. Cover Page (please use provided template), which should include project title, applicant’s name, faculty mentor’s name, co-Investigators and their Departments, research site, and a summary (up to 150 words).
2. Specific Aim page not to exceed 1 page.
3. Research proposal (Significance, Innovation, Impact, Experimental Approach, Timeline and Future Directions; not to exceed 4 pages). Preliminary data is encouraged but not required.
4. References section - no limit.
5. Budget (please use provided template).
6. Budget justification not to exceed 1 page (the award can be used for supplies, animal and clinical research, abstract submission and publications – original research, funds cannot support faculty salaries; salary and stipends for students are allowed, but first contact Raymond Voulo - Raymond.Voulo@stonybrookmedicine.edu).
7. Mentorship plan section not to exceed 1 page.
8. Path for the Extramural Funding not to exceed 1 page. Describe the future extramural funding mechanism(s) that will be pursued, how the pilot project specifically contributes to those efforts, and a prospective timeline for future submission(s).
9. Biographical sketches of applicant(s) and mentor.https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application/forms-directory/biographical-sketch-common-form
10. Current and pending other support forms for the applicant(s) and mentor. https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application/forms-directory/cpos-common-form
11. Signed letter of support from the mentor, including the role of the applicant, and a plan for the mentor’s direct supervision of the research activities. Mentors are discouraged from sponsoring more than one mentee per award cycle. Include letter(s) of support from additional collaborators if necessary.
12. For applicants with clinical responsibilities, a letter from the section chief promising time and effort to complete the project is required.
13. Approved IRB, IACUC, and IBC documents, if applicable. A statement of protocols that are submitted/pending/under review may be accepted, but the funds will not be released unless the protocols are approved.
14. Please submit your application as a single PDF to Susan Legrady - Susan.Legrady@stonybrookmedicine.edu
15. All applications will be scored using the modified NIH system:
Factor 1: Importance of the Research (Significance and Innovation; scored 1 – 9, with 1 being the best and 9 the worst)
Factor 2: Rigor and Feasibility (Approach; scored 1 – 9, with 1 being the best and 9 the worst)
Factor 3: Expertise and Resources (Mentorship Plan, Path to the Extramural Funding; scored 1 – 4, with 1 being the best and 4 the worst)
REVIEW PANEL
Members of the DOM Research Committee.
Ad hoc members as needed for specific applications.
POST-AWARD
Each successful applicant will be required to provide progress reports at 1, 6, and 12 months. The awardee will also be required to present at the Department of Medicine Annual Research Symposium the following year.
The provided funds can only be used as listed in the budget and budget justification. Any changes to spending must be approved in advance.
Failure to make progress or to abide by the rules may result in withdrawal of funds.
DOM Pilot Project Grant Cover Page 2026-2027
DOM Pilot Project Grant Budget Template 2026-2027