Pilot and Feasibility Applications 2011

The goal of the Pilot and Feasibility Study Program is to encourage research on diabetes and its complications by two target groups: young researchers in these fields who have not yet received significant NIH or other funding, and seasoned investigators either entering the diabetes field for the first time or exploring a completely new direction.

A call for applications is made in the spring of each year for grants to begin the following summer. This year, two grants will be awarded to researchers based either at the Joslin Diabetes Center or at neighboring institutions within Harvard Medical School and affiliated hospitals. At this time we can only guarantee one year of funding, as our DERC grant itself is up for renewal. Should it be fully-funded then awarded 2011 P&F grants will be of the usual two years duration. A special effort is made to foster interactions between Joslin DERC investigators and the external P&F Study Program awardees. This includes facilitating access to Joslin DERC cores, an invitation to give a seminar in the Joslin internal research seminar series, and invitations to Joslin retreats and other enrichment activities. Please visit the Enrichment Core.

The program has been highly successful since its inception. Projects funded in past years have covered a wide range of topics in the fields of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their complications, including the control of insulin gene expression, mechanisms of insulin action and resistance, beta cell apoptosis, mechanisms of leptin action and resistance, and autoantigen therapy of type 1 diabetes. The approaches have also been very diverse, covering a panoply of biochemical, molecular biologic, genetic and clinical strategies. This breadth reflects the interests of Joslin’s diabetes research program as a whole; see more about Joslin’s Research Programs.

The application process is a two-step procedure. By midnight of April 1, 2011 (June 6, 2011 for BU applicants), the potential candidate should submit an electronic “Intended Proposal”. Received Intended Proposals will be pre-reviewed for eligibility and priority, and the successful candidates will be asked to electronically submit a five-page proposal following an abbreviated version of a standard NIH application, due by May 21, 2011. These applications will be reviewed and awarded P&Fs will be selected for funding to start on August 1, 2011.

For further questions about the grant and the application process, email: PandF@Joslin.Harvard.Edu.

Deadline for Intended Proposal for Boston University Applicants: June 6, 2011  
Deadline for Intended Proposal: April 1, 2011
Deadline for Full Application (invitation only): May 21, 2011
Decision Announcement: No later than June 15, 2011
Funding Cycle: Begins August 1, 2011 and lasts 1 year. 2 years of funding contingent upon overall 
DERC renewal individual P&F 1-year progress review.