Request for Pilot Project Applications
Center For Musculoskeletal Disease Research (CMDR)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
The Center for Musculoskeletal Disease Research is a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) at UAMS funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). The CMDR is a multidisciplinary center that encompasses a broad area of musculoskeletal research, including osteoporosis, orthopedics, biomechanics, multiple myeloma, cancer metastases to bone, osteoarthritis, osteomyelitis, and aberrant skeletal development. The long-range goal of the Center is to establish the scientific foundation for sustained excellence in musculoskeletal research in central Arkansas. One important component of this effort is to fund pilot projects as a means of supporting the efforts of musculoskeletal investigators to pursue extramural funding. More information on how the CMDR is structured, our core facilities, and services can be obtained by visiting our website or by contacting the CMDR Director, Dr. Charles O’Brien at caobrien@uams.edu.
The Pilot Project Research Program will provide up to $65,000 direct costs for one year’s support of research projects aligned with the CMDR focus. Two awards will be made annually. Funded pilot investigators will have access to all of the CMDR’s core laboratories and facilities. Successful applications will be relevant to the focus of the CMDR, collaborative, and likely to lead to extramural funding. Funded pilot investigators will be required to participate in local and national COBRE and IDeA (Institutional Development Award) meetings, to give periodic progress reports when requested, and to submit a comprehensive final written report. Salary support is allowed for laboratory personnel but not for the Principal Investigator. Carry forward is not allowed, but a second year of support is possible given satisfactory progress. Projects that require performance of work at more than one institution will not be accepted. Third party subcontracts are not allowed. Administrative questions and submission of applications must be via e-mail to CMDR@uams.edu. Applications must use NIH PHS398 forms (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm). Required components of the application are indicated in the table below. If applicable, include Human Subjects and/or Vertebrate Animal sections addressing all NIH requirements. The PI is responsible for securing institutional clearance and must secure final IRB and/or IACUC approval before an award can be made. The submission deadline is January 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST. The funding period for this cycle will be July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
The application must be focused on musculoskeletal research. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. O’Brien prior to submitting an application. The ideal applicant is a new, early stage investigator, with a tenure-track faculty position and strong evidence of institutional support (designation of lab space, start-up funds, etc.). Only current UAMS-affiliated faculty members are eligible. Review criteria will focus on quality of the science, consistency with the underlying theme of the Center, and the potential to lead to extramural funding.
Application Format
| Please use form PHS 398 observing the following page limits: | |
| Budget | 1 page |
| Biosketch (for all key personnel) | Up to 5 pages |
| Specific Aims | 1 page |
| Research Strategy* | Up to 6 pages |
| Vertebrate Animals (if applicable) | No limit |
| Human Subjects Research (if applicable) | No limit |
*A description on how the work proposed will develop into an R01-level application must be included.