Pilot Program

This Pilot Project grant program supports investigators in conducting high quality one-year pilot studies that address at least one of the top Batten Disease Research Priorities identified by community stakeholders. The Core offers practical support and mentorship throughout the project life-cycle.

Selected applicants will:

• Meet periodically with the Core Co Leads
• Collaborate with the BDCRC for subject matter expertise, mentorship and resources
• Obtain required approvals (such as IRB)
• Provide a mid year project update
• Share research outcomes with the NCL and rare disease community
• Publish results in peer reviewed journals
• Work with Core Co Leads to assess project impact and prepare for future funding opportunities

The Pilot Project Core will solicit proposals from a wide range of researchers, including early career investigators and established investigators from outside the Batten disease field. Applicants must hold a faculty level or equivalent appointment at a US institution (for single-site projects) or a recognized international institution (for multi-site applications, with at least one site in the US). Pilot Projects may be awarded to institutions not already a member of the BDCRC. Pilot Projects should involve human participants or human-derived biospecimens only.

We encourage those at an early career stage to apply. Fellows in their final year of training are eligible provided they will have a faculty appointment when the award begins and must submit a letter of support from their department chair committing to a faculty appointment. We will encourage applications from those working in rural areas or smaller regional institutions. Multi-Principal Investigator projects are eligible, noting that applicants may be Principal Investigator on only one application in any given round.

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

Applicants are invited to submit EOIs a maximum of 2 pages (plus accompanying figures), using single-spacing, 0.5" margins and no less than 11-point Arial font. Other documentation such as cover letters, recommendation letters, etc will not be considered in Stage 1.

Please include, in order:

• Project Title
• Principal Investigator: Title, Name, Position, Institution and Qualifications
• Full contact details (Principal Investigator only)
• Other co-investigators or collaborators (please only list those playing a major role in the project)
• Top Research Priority for Batten Disease addressed by this project (more than one may apply)
• Introduction
• Significance of proposed research and relevance to grant program objectives
• Specific aims
• Methods
• Project timeline
• Preliminary budget
• Demonstration of co-funding (being sought or already secured)

Stage 2: Full Proposals

The highest ranked Expressions of Interest will be invited to submit a full application. Researchers must complete and submit the Full Research Grant Proposal Application Form provided. Briefly, Full Proposals should include:

• Scientific Abstract (max. 400 words)
• Lay Summary (max. 400 words)
• Research Proposal (max. 10 pages incl. references, figures/tables)
• Applicant NIH biosketch
• Budget and budget justification

The Pilot Core Committee will draw upon its diverse professional expertise to employ a systematic, rigorous, NIH-based process for evaluating and selecting at least one project per year based on eligibility, relative merit, feasibility, and alignment with stakeholders’ Top Research Priorities.

Process at a Glance:

1. EOI Submission, aligning with BDGRI Call for EOIs– Applicants submit preliminary proposals as Expressions of Interest (EOIs).
2. Shortlisting – A 12-member panel reviews EOIs and invites selected applicants to advance.
3. Full Proposal Submission – Shortlisted applicants invited to submit detailed proposals.
4. Final Review and Selection – Panels select Pilot Project Award recipients; others may be considered for BDGRI funding.

In partnership with Batten Disease Global Research Initiative (BDGRI), we solicit and review applications, and award one grant of up to $50,000 for a one-year per funding round.