The Harvard NIEHS Center for Environmental Health Pilot Project Program aims to encourage innovation and creativity in research, to develop new collaborations across disciplines and institutions, and to attract new investigators to environmental health science research. Awards are typically used for feasibility studies and to produce preliminary data to compete for independent funding.
The Pilot Project Program is based on the following principles: First, pilot project applications must propose excellent science. Second, new investigators, those who have recently joined or potentially will join our Center, are especially encouraged to apply. Third, pilot projects should support new lines of inquiry; high-risk high-payback projects are encouraged.
Who can apply for Pilot Project funding?
All Harvard NIEHS Center members are eligible for pilot project funds. Other faculty members involved in environmental health-related research may apply in collaboration with a Center member as co-investigator. Applications are accepted from Harvard Research Associates or Fellows working under the supervision of Center faculty, but the role of the sponsoring faculty member must be specified. Doctoral students are not eligible for pilot project support.
How are Pilot Project funding opportunities announced?
Requests for Pilot Project applications are announced semi-annually, in January and August. Center investigators will receive the announcement directly along with HSPH Department Chairs, Harvard Medical School and Channing Laboratory investigators, and members of the Harvard University Center for the Environment.
When are proposals due and when are awards announced?
Pilot Project applications are due on February 15th and September 15th each year. Funding decisions are announced by March 31 and October 30, respectively.
Pilot Project applications forms
Applications follow an abbreviated NIH structure. They should include a narrative section (2-3 single-spaced pages) with background, specific aims, and experimental protocols; a brief budget and justification; and a two--page biosketch (NIH format) for the principal investigator and co-investigators. Applications are submitted electronically to the Center Coordinator (jmgoodman@hsph.harvard.edu) with a copy to the Center Director (ddockery@hsph.harvard.edu).
What is the maximum budget and what expenses are allowed?
The budget may include funds for supplies and other appropriate costs directly related to the project. In some cases, a fraction of faculty or technical support salary may be appropriate (e.g., biostatistical support). Graduate student stipends are not allowed. Travel costs are not supported except those essential to carry out the project. Total requested costs for a one-year project period may not exceed $25,000. Recipients should plan to spend their award within a one year period. In some cases, a one-year extension may be requested but carryover is not assured.
How are Pilot Project proposals evaluated?
Each application is reviewed by two or more reviewers, at least one of whom is not a Harvard-NIEHS Center member. Evaluation criteria include:
- Innovation
- Study Design
- Project team
- Potential for future funding
- Relevance to the HSPH-NIEHS Center Mission
- Potential for stimulating collaborative research
The Pilot Project Review Committee then meets by March 22th or October 22th, as appropriate. Two Review Committee members (primary and secondary) present a summary of the application, their own evaluation and a synthesis of the peer review scores. The Center Director polls the Review Committee members for their rating of the proposal (i.e., fund with high priority, fund with normal priority; fund with low priority; funding not recommended).
Funding
Funding is determined by the Review Committee ratings, the availability of funds in a particular cycle, the balance of funds distributed among Research Cores over a one- or two-year period, innovation, and the degree to which the proposal furthers Center objectives. Funding decisions are provided to the applicants along with a summary of comments from the internal and external reviewers. Applicants may be asked to address critical issues before final approval.
Funds are awarded for a period of one year; the amount ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Applicants who are funded will have an account set-up by the Financial Administrator, Christopher Kelly. Recipients are expected to spend awards within a one year period. Requests for a one year extension will be considered, but carryover cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that indirect costs are not awarded to pilot recipients at the Harvard affiliates, e.g. BWH, MGH, BIDMC, etc.
Funding rate
Funding success rate can vary with the quality of the proposals and the availability of funds. In 2011, a total of 16 applications were received of which 7 were funded. The average award was $19,430. Click here to see a list of past Pilot Project awards.
Monitoring and Reporting
Funding recipients will be contacted periodically throughout the year by the Center Administrator to monitor progress. At the completion of the project, the investigator will submit to the Center Director (Doug Dockery) a short summary of the project and its findings, publications, and applications for independent funding that have resulted from the pilot. Investigators may present their work at a Center-sponsored event, e.g. the External Advisory Committee Meeting or the annual Symposium. Recipients will be expected to notify the Center Coordinator of any publications, press, grant applications or other outcomes related to the pilot funding and to be responsive to requests for such information annually for Center progress reports.
Acknowledgements
Investigators should acknowledge support in publications with a statement that the study "was supported in part by a Pilot Project grant from the HSPH-NIEHS Center for Environmental Health (P30ES000002)."
Questions?
For more information, contact Julie Goodman, Center Coordinator.
