Pilot & Feasibility Program

Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis IN

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract (Pilot & Feasibility Program) The goal of the Indiana Diabetes Research Center (IDRC) Pilot & Feasibility (P&F) Program is to provide seed funding for projects that have outstanding potential to open an area of diabetes-related research for both new and established investigators in diverse scientific disciplines at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) and its affiliated institutions. The P&F Program fosters the development of a community of productive, well-connected and collaborative investigators whose work will lead to advances in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. The program is perfectly aligned with the NIDDK Strategic Plan for Research in strengthening biomedical research workforce diversity and training in basic science, translational, and clinical efforts to test, implement, and disseminate evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies. This alignment is exemplified by the success of IDRC P&F awardees in obtaining extramural support for their diabetes-related studies. During the prior funding cycle, the P&F Program received 75 meritorious applications and funded 31 of these projects through both NIH and institutional funds. Seventeen of these applications saw returns on investment through a total of 27 funded extramural awards (19 NIH, 1 NSF, 1 DOD, and 6 Foundations). The success of the P&F Program reflects the strength of the pool of burgeoning investigators at IUSM and its affiliated institutions. In addition, several previous P&F award recipients are now part of IDRC leadership serving on the Executive Committee and/or directing IDRC Core facilities, highlighting the effectiveness of the Program as a vehicle for career development. The P&F Program is Directed by Dr. J. Elmendorf. The Aims of the P&F Program are: Aim 1: To solicit, review, and fund P&F grants. These grants will be awarded to outstanding beginning and established investigators at IUSM and its affiliated institutions: 1) who will bring new areas of strength and collaborative opportunities to the IDRC; 2) whose research has a high probability of benefiting from the use of IDRC Core facilities; and 3) for whom such funding is likely to result in the acquisition of major peer-reviewed grants. Aim 2: To provide mentorship/support for recipients of P&F grants. The goal of this mentorship is to provide a source of intellectual support and feedback during the project period to facilitate the grantee’s success in an area of investigation that is new to them. These relationships will also encourage future collaboration between investigators receiving P&F grants and other members of the IDRC. The continued successful execution of this plan will result in new independent investigators focused on solving problems related to diabetes and complications of diabetes, leading to a stronger diabetes research community in Indiana and novel scientific discoveries with the potential to inform new treatment strategies for people with diabetes.