The UPMC Rehabilitation Institute Pilot Grant

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 by:

• 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 Priorities

Proposals 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.

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.

2024 Request for Applications

Submit Letters of Intent Here

KEY DATES

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

INQUIRIES

Learn more about the history and impact of the RI Pilot Grant.