Pilot and Feasibility Research Program
Overview
The Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) Rare Disease Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) IMPACT Consortium, supported by a U54 cooperative agreement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites applications for Pilot and Feasibility Projects designed to advance research on thrombotic microangiopathies and related rare disorders.
The objective of this Pilot Grant Program is to stimulate innovative, high-impact research, foster collaboration in the TMA research community, and support projects that leverage existing TMA infrastructure, data, biospecimens, and expertise. Pilot projects are expected to generate preliminary data that will lead to future extramural funding, expanded clinical studies, or translational advances in TMA.
Scope of Research
Proposed projects must be aligned with the mission and scientific priorities of the TMA RDCRC, including but not limited to:
- Pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of thrombotic microangiopathies
- Clinical characterization, biomarker discovery, and outcomes research
- Translational studies bridging basic science and patient care
- Development of innovative diagnostic or therapeutic approaches
- Epidemiology and natural history of TMA-associated rare diseases
- Use or enhancement of RDCRC clinical, data, or biospecimen resources is encouraged but not required.
Funding Information
Award Amount:
- Up to $50,000 total costs for 1 year
- Up to $100,000 total costs for up to 2 years
Number of Awards:
- One award per year during the initial funding cycle (2026–2027)
Project Period:
- One year. A second year of funding may be requested and will be contingent upon satisfactory progress, milestone achievement, and availability of funds.
Allowable Costs:
- Salary support
- Technical support
- Research supplies
- Indirect costs allowable per NIH policy
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, MD/PhD, RN, PharmD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent doctoral or professional degree.
- Applicants must be trainees or faculty members at a U.S.-based academic institution.
- Applications from trainees and early-career faculty are strongly encouraged.
- Applicants holding appropriate visas are eligible to apply.
Application Components
Applications must include:
- Research Proposal (maximum 5 pages)
- Background and significance
- Specific aims
- Study design and methods
- Preliminary data or description of ongoing related work
- Description of how the project will leverage TMA RDCRC resources
- Description of TMA RDCRC Resources Requested
- Data, biospecimens, clinical infrastructure, or other consortium assets
- Budget and Budget Justification
- $50,000 total costs (1 year) or $100,000 total costs (2 years)
- Letters of Support
- From collaborators and participating investigators
- NIH Biosketch
- For Principal Investigator and key personnel (any current NIH format)
Review Process
Applications will undergo peer review by the Pilot Project Selection Committee, which includes:
- RDCRC investigators without conflicts of interest
- External ad hoc reviewers, as needed, to provide specialized expertise
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Scientific merit and rigor
- Innovation and strength of approach
- Potential impact on the TMA field
- Ability to leverage RDCRC resources
- Feasibility within the proposed timeframe
Final funding recommendations will be reviewed by the Selection Committee Chair in consultation with the Administrative Core and RDCRC Co-Principal Investigators. All awards are contingent upon NIH approval and subject to applicable NIH clinical research regulations.
Milestones and Monitoring
Funded investigators must submit progress reports every 6 months.
Requests for a no-cost extension or second year of funding must include:
- Formal scientific justification
- Revised budget
- Updated completion plan
- These requests will be reviewed annually by the Pilot Project Selection Committee.