The HSPH NIEHS Center for Environmental Health provides funds to Center investigators for Pilot Studies. These Pilot Funds are used to encourage innovation and creativity by Center Investigators, to attract new investigators to environmental health research, to develop preliminary data to develop independent research projects, to compete for independent funding for environmental health research, and to develop collaboration by investigators from multiple disciplines or multiple institutions.
The Pilot Project Program is based on the following premises: First, the application must propose excellent science. Second, new investigators who have recently joined or potentially will join our Center should be encouraged. Third, pilot projects should support new lines of inquiry; high-risk high-payback projects are encouraged. Proposals are solicited twice a year.
Who can apply for Pilot Projects?
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 Harvard-NIEHS 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 ineligible for pilot project support.
How are Pilot Projects announced?
Requests for Pilot Project applications are announced semi-annually - January 1st and July 1st. Harvard-NIEHS Center investigators will receive the announcement directly along with HSPH Department Chairs, Harvard Medical School and Channing Laboratory investigators, and Harvard University Center for the Environment.
When are applications due and when are funded applications awarded?
Pilot Project applications are due on Feb 15th and Aug 15th each year. Funding decisions are announced by March 31 and September 30, respectively.
Form of the Pilot Project applications?
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 Administrator (kstudeba@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 appropriate. Any travel funds requested must be specifically required to carry out the project. Total requested costs for a one-year project period may not exceed $25,000.
How are the 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. Each proposal is evaluated based on:
- 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 September 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 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 reviews. Applicants may be asked to address critical issues before a final approval takes place.
Funds are awarded for a period of one year; the amount ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Applicants who are funded have an account set-up by the Financial Administrator, Amy Gerson.
What fraction of Pilot Project Applications are funded?
Between 2004-2007, a total of 65 applications were received of which 35 pilot projects were funded. The average award was $18,000. Eight of the pilot projects addressed issues relevant to the Particles Research Core, 10 pilot projects to the Metals Research Core, and 6 pilot projects addressed issues relevant to Organics Research Core. An additional 9 pilot projects addressed innovative new approaches to biologic exposure monitoring, gene-environment interactions, or proteomics.
Monitoring and Reporting?
Investigators are contacted periodically throughout the year by the Center Administrator (Kelly Studebaker) to monitor progress. At the completion of the project, the investigator submits 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. The investigator makes a presentation (oral or poster) at a Center-sponsored event, either the External Advisory Committee Meeting (spring) or the annual Symposium (fall). The Center Administrator continues to monitor for publications and grant applications arising from the pilot project. The overall effectiveness of the Pilot Project Program and its operation is reviewed annually at the annual External Advisory Committee meeting.
Acknowledgements?
Investigators should acknowledge support in publications with a statement that the study "was supported in part by Pilot Project funding from the HSPH-NIEHS Center for Environmental Health (ES000002)"