Pilot and Feasibility Program

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PILOT AND FEASIBILITY PROGRAM PROJECT SUMMARY The Cleveland DDRCC Pilot and Feasibility (P & F) Program is a fundamental pillar for the intellectual vitality and success of our Center, directly supporting our stated mission to foster innovation in digestive and liver disease research through support of collaboration and career development. The overall goal of the P & F program is to grow the number of investigators successfully performing research on Mechanisms of Digestive and Liver Inflammation at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) by providing resources to develop new pilot and/or feasibility research studies that will lead to competitive peer-reviewed grant applications. The program is directed by Dr. Amitabh Chak and uses P & F awards primarily to support development of independent research programs for junior investigators interested in digestive and liver inflammation. However, the program also seeks to attract talented, established investigators in other fields to apply their research skills and expertise to this field, as well as to support established investigators in the field without an R01/R01 equivalent who need to secure a substantial grant in the near future. A call for applications is held each Spring. The P & F Scientific Review Committee oversees peer-review of all qualifying applications, including both an internal review process by members of the Cleveland DDRCC Internal Advisory Committee and Cleveland DDRCC members, with input provided by a Community Advisory Board, and an external review process by the Cleveland DDRCC External Advisory Committee, including a new external patient advocate. With NIDDK funding and matching institutional support, the Center will continue to award up to four investigators per year and will increase the amount of each award to $50,000. Awards are for one year, but recipients can apply for a second year when needed. The P & F program annually tracks the outcomes of all current and prior P & F award recipients and provides regular progress reports to the NIDDK. We are particularly proud of the high level of success seen with our P & F program during the previous funding cycle, with 19 of our 29 P/F awardees who have completed their projects (2015-2022) going on to obtain 38 peer-reviewed NIH or foundation grants based on their work, including 30 independent grants (1 R37, 9 R01s, 2 R03s, 1 R21 for minority investigators, 1 U01, 1 P01 Project, 1 P20 Project, 1 DOD, 7 Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation [CCF] Senior Research Awards, 6 other foundation grants) and 8 career development awards (6 NIH K-series, 1 VA, 1 CCF). P & F awardees have also been active in contributing to the Cleveland DDRCC enrichment programs, including organizing and participating in the Young Investigators Network, and will continue to participate in the Young Investigators Poster Session at the annual research symposium of the Midwest DDRCC Alliance, which will be hosted in Cleveland in December 2024.