University of Cincinnati Cancer Center
Pilot Project Award Program

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is dedicated to advancing cancer research by providing pilot funding to our faculty investigators. Our Pilot Project Award Program pools funding from several sources to offer two streamlined funding cycles per year – one in the Spring and one in the Fall. The funding cycles are designed to be easy to navigate for researchers and reviewers.

• Funding cycles are not disease specific. While all types of cancer-relevant pilot research applications are encouraged, proposals in areas of strategic priority are most needed.
• No letter of intent is required before applying.
• All submissions will receive thoughtful feedback no matter the outcome, giving you the opportunity to refine and re-apply in the next funding round.

The goals of the program include:

• Increase collaborative interactions to foster innovative research
• Facilitate novel approaches
• Encourage entry of new investigators into cancer research
• Facilitate the translation of laboratory findings into clinical interventions
• Generate preliminary data that will lead to peer-reviewed, cancer-relevant extramural funding, conference presentations, and publications

Upcoming Grant Cycles

Spring 2023

Applications Accepted: Wednesday, March 1st - Monday, March 13th (5 p.m.)

Awards Announced: May 2023

While all types of cancer-relevant pilot research proposals are encouraged, the following are areas of strategic priority and/or supported by philanthropic funds:

• Cancers of the breast, lung, pancreas, and prostate (supported by donor gift funds).
• Early drug development, investigator-initiated trials, and correlative studies.
• Cancer prevention, control, and population sciences (e.g., community outreach and engagement, health education and promotion, screenings, etc.).

Funding is limited to a maximum of $50,000 per project and will be awarded for a period of 1 year. Awards will be matched to an appropriate funding source by the Cancer Center's administration and scientific leadership.

Download the Full RFA (PDF)

Findings/ROI

Check back soon for more information.