UWMDI Pilot and Feasibility Program

The UW Medicine Diabetes Institute Catalyst Fund provides one-year funding to support early and early mid-career investigators in advancing their research and securing external funding.

Angular abstract sculptures with red, gray, and white surfaces stand in front of a modern glass building, casting geometric shadows on the pavement.

Catalyst Fund for Early Career Faculty

Program Highlights

Funding: $30,000–$50,000
Duration: 1 year
Awards: 2–5 annually

What It Supports

Pilot projects to generate preliminary data
Bridge funding for essential research personnel
Laboratory equipment (shared resources prioritized)

Who Can Apply

UW faculty (Instructor–Associate Professor)
UWMDI-affiliated investigators
Early and early mid-career faculty

Goal

To accelerate research progress, support career development, and strengthen collaboration across UWMDI.

RFA for FY27 Catalyst Awards Coming Soon!

Learn more about affiliated UWMDI P&F Programs

Diabetes Research Center P&F Program

Nutrition Obesity Research Center P&F Program

Current UWMDI P&F Program Awardees

Lee Bockus, MD

Acting Instructor, Medicine Fellow, General Cardiology

View Profile

A young man with short curly hair, wearing round glasses and a burgundy zip-up sweater over a black shirt, smiles at the camera. The background is softly blurred with neutral tones.

Carlos Campos, PhD

Research Assistant Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition

View Profile

A woman with straight, shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera. She is wearing a black top and posed in front of a plain gray background.

Megan Capozzi, PhD

Research Assistant Professor, Metabolism Endocrinology and Nutrition

View Profile

A man with short dark hair, wearing a white shirt and dark blazer, smiles at the camera against a plain gray background.

Mauricio Dorfman, PhD

Research Associate Professor, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition

View Profile

A woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera outdoors, with green trees and plants in the background. She is wearing a light-colored blazer and a white top.

Leticia Sewaybricker, MD, PhD

Research Assistant Professor, General Internal Medicine

View Profile

A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing glasses and a white embroidered top, smiles in front of a plain light gray background.

Arthi Thirumalai, MD

Physician

Profile

Previous UWMDI P&F Program Awardees

A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing a white cardigan over a patterned top, smiles while standing in a laboratory with shelves of supplies and equipment in the background.

Jennifer Deem, PhD

Pfizer, Senior Manager, HTA Value & Evidence, Hematology

A scientist wearing a white lab coat, safety glasses, and blue gloves works with laboratory equipment in a research lab.

Yi Hi, PhD

A woman with long black hair, wearing a light purple button-up shirt, smiles at the camera outdoors with greenery in the background.

Savitha Subramanian, MD

Physician

Profile

A woman with medium-length wavy black hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a red top and has a light brown complexion. The background is a plain blue-gray color.

Subbulaxmi Trikudanathan,
MD, MRCP, MMSc

Professor of Clinical Practice, Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition, Medical Director, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute Clinic

View Profile

Program Leadership

A woman with long brown hair and glasses, wearing a blue top and black cardigan, smiles while standing indoors in a bright, blurred office or laboratory setting.

Laura den Hartigh, PhD

Research Associate Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, UWMDI P&F Program Director

View Profile