Pilot Grants

Release Date: November 20, 2025
Application Deadline: January 23, 2026, 5:00 pm EDT
Project Duration: 12 months

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.

NRPA FY26 Pilot Grant RFA

NRPA Pilot Grant Application Form

Please note: Awards are contingent upon available funding.   

Application Format 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 at NeuroscienceRPA@uky.edu.

Applications should include the following documents: 

1. Completed Application Form with required signature(s)
   1. The NRPA Pilot Grant Application Form is available on the NRPA website.
2. Study Background (1 page)
   1. Include research objectives, rationale, hypotheses, and aims.
3. Study Design (2 pages)
   1. Describe the significance, innovation, and approach.
   2. Include methodology, sample size, analysis plan, and outcomes.
4. Timeline (1/2 page)
   1. Identify milestones for accomplishments described in the Study Design/approach.
5. Budget and Budget Justification
   1. 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://research.uky.edu/sponsored-project-services/resources/frequently-needed-information
6. Plan for extramural funding (1 page)
   1. 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)
   1. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
   2. 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.  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’s BERD services via the CCTS website.

The Proposal Development Office can be used for assistance with developing a proposal.

Review Process
Grant applications will be reviewed by investigators with appropriate neuroscience background and expertise, and will use NIH-type evaluations (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/peer/guidelines_general/scoring_system_and_procedure.pdf). Applications will also be evaluated based on the potential for the proposal to eventually be competitive for extramural support. Following initial peer review, applications recommended for funding will be reviewed by the NRPA Internal Advisory Council, and final funding decisions made by joint agreement.

Review Criteria 
Application review will be based on the following considerations:

1. Innovation
2. Significance
3. Approach
4. Environment
5. Investigators
6. Probability that this project will lead to extramural funding
7. Additional review considerations:
   1. Alignment with NRPA strategic goals (emphasis on collaboration)
   2. Budgetary considerations
   3. Regulatory approvals
   4. Letters of support/commitment (if applicable)

Unfunded Grants
Unfunded grants can be considered for funding in subsequent cycles.

Notifications
Reviews and award notifications will be provided within 10 weeks of the grant application deadline.

Term
Funding is for 1 year. Extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Awardee Responsibilities

• Awardees are expected to submit collaborative extramural grants.
• Awardees are expected to publish their findings in scholarly peer-reviewed journals and present their research at professional meetings.
• All publications, grants, and presentations resulting from research funded by the NRPA should cite the NRPA as a contributing source of support.

A 1-page report summarizing the outcome of the project, extramural funding applications and awards, and the use of the awarded funds is due 1 month after the end of the funding period. Unspent funds are to be returned to the program.