UWMDI Pilot and Feasibility Program

The University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute (UWMDI), Diabetes Research Center (DRC), and Nutrition and Obesity Research Center (NORC) are jointly soliciting applications for Pilot and Feasibility Research Awards. Proposals may include basic, clinical, translational, or population-based studies with a focus on nutrition, metabolism, diabetes, and/or obesity.

Purpose: Pilot and Feasibility Research Awards are funded by the National Institutes of Health and UW. Their purpose is to foster development of new investigators, particularly junior faculty, in the fields of nutrition, metabolism, diabetes, and obesity research at the UW.

Eligibility:

• New or established UW faculty who wish to develop a research program related to nutrition, metabolism, diabetes, and/or obesity.

• Established UW investigators in the abovementioned fields who wish to develop an innovative project related to nutrition, metabolism, diabetes and/or obesity that differs significantly from their ongoing research interests.

Note:
(1) Funding priority will be assigned to meritorious applications from junior faculty that have not previously been in receipt of major peer-reviewed funding. Junior faculty must propose a line of investigation that supports a career trajectory towards independence.
(2) Applicants must have full-time faculty appointments at the commencement of the award.
(3) Applicants with a UW affiliate appointment are eligible for funding, however they must obtain a waiver for indirect costs from their institution.

Applicants who identify as underrepresented minorities and/or are proposing research related to underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

Support:  Applicants may request up to $50,000 per year for one or two years. Approval for a second year will depend upon demonstration of satisfactory progress and availability of funds. The number of awards and funding levels to be granted will be based on the scientific merit of successful proposals as well as the specific funding priorities of the collaborating institutions. The awards can be used for principal investigator salary, technical support and research expenses. Salary support for postdoctoral fellows or graduate students is not allowed. Funding begins July 1, 2023.

Application:  Prospective applicants must submit a mandatory letter of intent (LOI) that summarizes pertinent information needed to assess eligibility. In addition to the LOI, applicants are required to submit a list of suitable reviewers. Please download the 2023 P&F Letter of Intent Form and Reviewer Nomination Form. LOIs submitted in other formats will not be accepted.  Click here to download a copy of these instructions.

LOIs and reviewer nomination forms are due by January 11, 2023 and are to be uploaded below.

Eligible applicants will be given detailed instructions regarding the application process. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their research plans with UWMDI, DRC and/or NORC P&F Program Directors prior to submission. Contact information and FAQs can be found here.

Applications require approval by the applicant’s departmental chairperson or division head.  Approvals for human subjects, animal use and/or biohazards must be obtained prior to initiation of funding but are not required for submitting the application. Full applications are due by February 24, 2023.

LOI Submission