Call for Pepper Pilots - LOI Due March 18, 2024

The NIH-funded UTMB Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (P30 AG024832) is inviting UTMB investigators to submit pilot research proposals focusing on translational aging research, particularly on physical function and recovery from illness in older adults. Proposals from various domains including basic science, clinical trials, patient-centered outcomes, population health, and any other area of translational research (T1-T4) are encouraged.

Priority Research Areas:

This pilot funding aims to support aging-related research that can feasibly lead to external funding. Pilot awardees will have access to research resources provided by the biostatistics and data management core, clinical research core, and metabolism and biology core. Projects will receive funding for one year (09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025), with total annual direct costs not exceeding $50,000. If applicable, approval by UTMB’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or Institutional Review Board (IRB) is required by the pilot start date.

Proposals are welcome from all investigators interested in launching studies on aging.

The pilot proposal selection process involves two steps:

Step 1: Letter of Intent & Biosketch – Interested investigators should submit a brief letter of intent (one page or less) describing their research idea, its relevance to the Pepper Center theme, and how it could lead to external funding in aging. Letters & biosketches can be sent to Stephanie Burt (Pepper OAIC Administrator) via email at stburt@utmb.edu. The deadline for receipt of the letter of intent and biosketch is Monday, March 18, 2024. Letters of Intent will be evaluated by the Pepper Executive Committee, and selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Step 2: Full Proposal – If selected to submit a full proposal, a 5-page proposal in NIH format will be required outlining the research plan. If requested, a research mentor and biostatistician can be assigned to assist with proposal development. The deadline for receipt of the full proposal is Monday, May 20, 2024. Full proposals will be evaluated by the Pilot Review Committee, comprising UTMB Pepper Center leaders, field experts, and at least one independent external reviewer with specific expertise in the area of the pilot application.

Please feel free to share this announcement with your colleagues. More information can be found at www.utmb.edu/pepper.

For inquiries, contact Brian Downer, PhD at brdowner@utmb.edu.