Overview: The UNH Center of Integrated Biomedical and Bioengineering Research (CIBBR) is dedicated to promoting multidisciplinary, high impact biomedical and bioengineering research at UNH. Our mission is accomplished by supporting the career development of faculty so that they are successful in competing for investigator-initiated external awards from NIH, as well as encouraging biomedical scientists to develop collaborations on multidisciplinary research projects that advance clinical research, commercial opportunities, and translational medicine.
Period of Performance: January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027
Award Information: The CIBBR Pilot Project Program is intended to support research enabling a research team to prepare and submit a major research project grant from the NIH by the end of the funding period. Direct costs for a one-year Pilot Project historically have not exceeded $50,000, but submissions seeking a greater level of funding will be considered if well justified.
Pilot Project Investigator (PPI) applicants are highly recommended to consult with the Leadership Team
- if a higher level of funding is requested
- to discuss your project for facility cost estimates
- to refine your project scope
Eligibility
In this funding cycle, the Pilot Project Program is prioritizing funding for:
- Former CIBBR Project Leaders who have yet to receive a major research project grant (RPG)
- CIBBR investigators with a well-documented, realistic timeline to submit a major RPG (e.g., R01, R35)
- UNH researchers (especially recently hired faculty) with a documented commitment to submit (and re-submit as necessary) a major RPG within CIBBR’s thematic focus.
Pilot project applications utilizing the CIBBR Research Cores and/or other UNH core facilities will be viewed favorably.
Responsibilities
- One month of effort (over the entire budget period) must be devoted to the Pilot Project per NIGMS policy.
- Awardees are required to adhere to the timeline they propose for submission of a major RPG.
- Awards include the expectation that the investigator will participate in CIBBR mentoring, events, and activities.
- Awardees are required to cite the COBRE grant (NIH P20 GM113131) on all publications.
- Awardees are required to participate in the annual COBRE reporting process.
Pilot Project Application Process
A complete proposal submission must include the following:
- PHS 398 Form Page 1
- PHS 398 Form Page 2
- Specific Aims page (1 page maximum)
- The specific aims should reflect the aims of the to-be-submitted RPG, not just the work to be accomplished during the period of Pilot Project funding.
- Research Strategy Section (Significance, Innovation, and Approach); recommended length, 2 pages.
- Significance (~250 words) should also include the biomedical relevance and impact of the proposed research to the CIBBR and to the career development of the faculty. Include a brief description of the scientific premise for the proposed project.
- Approach section should align with the specific aims but the experimental plan should focus on work to be carried out during the funding period, typically a single specific aim. Detailed methodology can be omitted.
- Key supporting data for the scientific premise of the application should be incorporated into the Significance or Approach sections.
- Budget using the UNH Excel budget template file along with the budget justification document. Please review Budget Guidelines section below.
- Current NIH-formatted Biographical Sketch
- Current & Pending grant submissions
- IRB and/or IACUC approval (if applicable)
- for animal studies, the Vertebrate Animal Section must be submitted.
- for studies with humans, please submit the Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information Form.
- CIBBR-relevant documentation
- Data Management and Sharing plan: Developed in consultation with the Data Science Core staff.
- Rigor and Transparency: Include a brief statement addressing how robust, unbiased results will be obtained, as well as methods to ensure the identity and validity of key biological and/or chemical resources used in the proposed project.
- Products/outcomes and timeline: Provide a timeline for submission of NIH grant applications, manuscripts, conference presentations, patent applications, etc.
- Previous NIH submission relevant to proposed project: please include the summary statement and your 1-page response (Introduction section) to the critiques.
- External Scientific Mentor(s): If you do not already have an external scientific mentor, provide the names of up to 3 senior biomedical/bioengineering researchers outside UNH who might serve in this capacity if the project is funded.
- The budget should include 1 or 2 semesters of GRA support, or equivalent staff support to conduct preliminary studies in support of grant application. Salary support for the PI is discouraged.
- Funds for grant preparation services and preparation of Data Management and Sharing plan (~$3500).
- Funds for compensating senior-level, NIH-funded External Scientific Mentor(s); $1000 each.
- Supplies and expenses for service providers limited to <30% of total direct costs.
- Acquisition of equipment (>$10K) not allowed, except in unusual circumstances.
- Travels funds to present research at a scientific conference are allowed.
- No carryover of unspent funds at the end of the budget year.
Complete the form where you may upload items #1 through #9.
- Standard NIH review criteria will be used for the evaluation of proposals and special consideration will be given to the proposal's relevance to the CIBBR theme and goals.
- The CIBBR Leadership Team -- Rick Cote, Alexei Tulin, Kelley Thomas, Don Wojchowski, and Steve Fiering (Dartmouth ) -- will review the proposals, aided by ad hoc reviewers as appropriate.
- Following a scientific review of the application, a summary statment will be provided to the applicant.
- Applications that are recommended for funding will be forwarded to the CIBBR External Advisory Committee (EAC) for their review and recommendation.
- If the application is approved by the EAC, it will be sent to NIGMS for their review and final approval.
- Notice of the final award status will be sent to the applicant.
- Funds will be made available as soon as NIGMS approval is received.
Timeline
September, 2026
Solicitation period opens
October 19, 2026,
Proposal Due Date
October 2026
Proposal review
Mid-November
Funding notification
January 1, 2027
Proposed Project Start Date
Download program PDF
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Project proposals: Rick.Cote@unh.edu
Application and process: Michelle.Lemos@unh.edu
