Pilot Grant Program
Spring 2025 Pilot Grants
The Neuroscience Research Priority Area (NRPA) provides broad-based support for neuroscience research across the University of Kentucky. As part of this initiative, the NRPA Pilot Grant Program supports innovative, cutting-edge research across basic, translational, and clinical neurosciences. NRPA pilots are intended to support the development of preliminary data necessary for applications for extramural funding (proposals must address how the data is required for future extramural applications) and should be multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary. Collaborators from more than one UK college and/or department are preferred.
Use the following sentence to cite the NRPA award in your related work:
"This publication (or project) was supported by the University of Kentucky Neuroscience Research Priority Area."
Dates & Deadlines
- Release Date: February 17, 2025
- Application Deadline: April 18, 2025
Please note: Awards are contingent upon available funding.
Application Instructions:
All materials should be combined into a single PDF document. Margins should be at least 1/2 inch and the
font size should be between 10 and 12 points. Proposals should be submitted via email to NeuroscienceRPA@uky.edu.
Questions may be directed to Laura Muzinic: NeuroscienceRPA@uky.edu.
Applications should include the following documents:
1. Completed Application Form with required signature(s)
a. NRPA Pilot Grant Application Form is available on this webpage (upper right corner).
2. Study Background (1 page)
a. Include research objectives, rationale, hypotheses, and aims.
3. Study Design (2-pages)
a. Describe the significance, innovation, and approach.
b. Include methodology, sample size, analysis plan, and outcomes.
4. Timeline (1/2 page)
a. Identify milestones for accomplishments described in the Study Design/approach.
5. Budget and Budget Justification
a. Complete a budget worksheet
https://www.research.uky.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/2023-
03/NRPA%20Pilot%20Grant%20Budget%20Worksheet%20Blank.pdf
NIH budget template (detailed budget for budget period)
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/fp4.pdf
UK Fringe Benefit guidelines
https://www.research.uky.edu/office-sponsored-projects-administration/frequently- neededinformation
6. Plan for extramural funding (1 page)
a. How will this pilot grant facilitate a future external grant? Include a timeline of submission(s) and specific PARs if available.
7. References (no page limit)
8. NIH or NSF-style biosketch for each investigator (5-page limit per investigator)
a. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
b. https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/biosketch.jsp
9. Letters of support as applicable
10. If this application is seeking pilot support to strengthen an application that was previously submitted for external grant funding, but was not awarded, please attach the summary statement of reviewers’ comments.
11. If this application is a resubmission from a previous NRPA pilot submission, applicants may include a 1-page response to previous reviewers’ comments.
Budget
The pilot grant program will support 4 grants of approximately $25,000 in direct costs each for a 1-year project period. Projects requiring higher levels of funding are still encouraged to submit an application; the NRPA’s goal is to support the most promising research and may award increased levels of funding to projects as appropriate and with justification, depending on the availability of funds.
The following costs are not covered –administrative or office costs, meals or hospitality, travel that is not directly related to the conduct of research, other items typically supported by indirect costs, and monetary clinic incentives.
Salary for 12-month faculty is allowed; up to 1-month of summer salary is allowed for faculty on 9-10 month contracts.
Support for Protocol Design
For researchers seeking assistance in study design, please contact Dr. Christopher McLouth via the NRPA website or CCTS’ BERD services via the CCTS website.
The Proposal Development Office can be used for assistance with developing a proposal.
