CTRS Pilot Funding Program

The Clinical Translational Research Services (CTRS) Pilot Funding Program provides funding to help University of Minnesota faculty prepare and implement prospective clinical pilot studies. 

Request for Applications (RFA)

How to apply

  1. Submit a mandatory letter of intent (LOI) by 5pm (CST) on April 10, 2020. 

  2. Requests for full proposals will be sent by invitation approximately three weeks after the due date. 

Funding

Projects are funded in two stages.

Stage I funding

  • Goal: Assemble a study team, prepare an IRB application, and secure regulatory approval. 

  • Time: Up to 6 months.

  • Amount: Up to $5,000.

Stage II funding

  • Goal: Implement and complete the proposed prospective pilot clinical trial. It’s expected that this will lead to at least one peer-reviewed publication to be submitted within one year of completing the study.

  • Time: Up to 18 months

  • Amount: Up to $70,000. Consideration of Stage II funding will be contingent on successful completion of Stage I.

Key dates: 2020 cycle

  • March 2: RFA posted.
  • April 10: Letter of intent (LOI) due by 5pm (CST).
  • April 17 (approximate): Invitations to submit full proposals sent out.
  • May 22: Full proposals due by 5pm (CST).
  • August 1 (approximate): Stage I awards announced.

2019 awardees

Amy Krentzman, PhD | $75,000

School of Social Work, College of Education and Human Development

Project title: A Randomized Control Trial to Test Feasibility, Acceptability, and Impact of a Novel Behavioral Intervention (Positive Peer Journaling, PPJ) to Support Recovery From Addiction

Ann Van de Winckel, PhD, MSPT, PT | $75,000

Medical School, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine

Project title: Feasibility of identifying brain mechanisms of Qigong and behavioral outcomes after Qigong practice in people with chronic low back pain

2018 awardees

Kathryn Cullen, MD | $75,000

Associate Professor and Division Chief, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry

Project title: Mindful Breathing and Neuromodulation for Depression in Young People 

Armin Rashidi, MD, PhD | $75,000

Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine

Project title:  A pilot study of activated charcoal in healthy volunteers