Background
Established in 2004, the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute (RI) is a collaborative effort between University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) to provide clinical rehabilitation services and support research.
- Program Goals
The primary goal of this funding mechanism is to build on a legacy of team science between PM&R and SHRS. The RI Pilot Grant program provides an opportunity for junior investigators to apply for much-needed early funding and to provide a learning experience in grantsmanship. To that end, the program will support early career investigators:
- To allow more competitive review of junior investigators who have not yet received this award, successful applicants are asked to wait at least one cycle before submitting any new applications to this mechanism.
- In addition, successful applicants will be invited to attend a series of small-group feedback sessions to discuss cycle applications, their summary critiques, and receive advice regarding grantsmanship and other potential award opportunities.
- Unsuccessful applicants are also eligible to re-submit their application in the following application cycle.
- Scope
Proposals should focus primarily on rehabilitation, defined by the World Health Organization as “a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment,” and should align with the mission and research foci of PM&R and/or the mission and research framework of SHRS. Proposals should also address one or more of the following long-range plans and priorities:
• the NIH Research Plan for Rehabilitation
• NIDILRR's Long Range Plan
• PCORI's National Priorities of Health
• AHRQ's Research PrioritiesProposals are encouraged for basic, clinical, and/or translational studies; mechanism, measurement development, intervention, and implementation studies; and proof-of-concept and feasibility studies. Investigators must describe how this opportunity would lead to future external funding through large federal grant mechanisms such as NIH or AHRQ R, U, or P series grants; NIDILRR DRRP or RERC grants; or PCORI grants. The Pilot Award will provide funding for direct costs to support research that represents a new direction with the potential to expand the research knowledge and future funding portfolio of the proposing lab. The number of grants awarded will be determined on annual basis based on available funding. An informational meeting about the program was held on December 14, 2022. The recording and slides from the meeting are available:
Link to recording
Link to slides- Eligibility
The Principal Investigator must hold an appointment in PM&R or SHRS, and all investigator ranks (postdoctoral trainee through full professor) will be considered. Investigators currently funded by the program will not be eligible to submit.
- NEW for 2025: Supplemental Funding Option
In response to federal executive branch actions that have the potential to delay or decrease direct research funding, the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute is broadening its funding mandate for 2025. The UPMC RI will now consider applications in two categories:
- Pilot funding: to support new projects to advance rehabilitation research and lay the groundwork for future, larger-scale studies. This is the traditional aim of the UPMC RI program and remains a great opportunity for emerging investigators to receive feedback on their ideas and grantsmanship skills from experienced reviewers.
- Supplemental funding: to sustain ongoing projects at risk of being delayed, disrupted or terminated due to federal funding uncertainties or cancellations. Applicants will be asked to submit an ‘impact statement’ explaining why expected federal funds are now at risk, how supplemental funding will be used to continue work, and the longer-term, potential scientific impact of sustained funding.
- Instructions for Impact Statement
In half a page or less, please address the following questions:
- How has funding for your project been delayed, cancelled, or otherwise put at risk by federal executive branch actions? (applications for supplemental funding only)
- How will you use the funds (e.g., personnel, services) and how will they make it feasible to complete your project aims?
- How does the project align with your broader research and career objectives; what is its potential impact on rehabilitation science and how does it position you for future funding
- Key Dates
RFA Release Date: August 15, 2024 Letter of Intent Due: March 21, 2025 Invitation to Submit Sent: March 26, 2025 Application Due Date: May 9, 2025 Anticipated Award Date: June 25, 2025 Award Start Date: July 1, 2025 - Application Requirements
Applications follow the NIH formatting and form requirements as indicated in the RFA.
PHS 398 - Face Page
PHS 398 - Initial Budget Page
PHS 398 - Entire Budget Page
NIH Biosketch Instructions- Inquiries
Brad Dicianno - PM&R
Elizabeth Skidmore - SHRS
Jessa Darwin - PM&R
Selena Crawford - PM&R
Tyler Fleck - SHRS
Learn more about the history and impact of the RI Pilot Grant.