Pilot Studies Program
The Rio Grande Valley Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research's Research Education Component aims to increase the number of junior investigators conducting research on Hispanic American health and healthcare disparities in the Rio Grande Valley and Mexican American border region of South Texas. The Center's pilot studies that are proposed by junior investigators and deemed likely to contribute to our understanding of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
The Pilot Studies Program hopes to support innovative, high-impact multidisciplinary pilot projects to serve as an entry point of new investigators to the field, and lead to subsequent applications to the NIH for extramural support of research or further career development (e.g., R and K awards).
We are currently accepting Letters of Intent and proposal applications for the 2025-2026 cycle.
For submission requirements and guidelines, please go to the links below this text:
How to Apply (2025-2026 Funding Cycle)
- Letters of Intent
- Following the Calls-for-Proposals [see “Important Dates” below] Letters of Intent may be submitted via the REDCap portal.
- Potential applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the RGV AD-RCMAR’s mission, goals, and objectives before submitting Letters of Intent.
- Guidelines for Letters of Intent can be found in the 2025-2026 Program Announcement.
- Full/Complete Proposals
- Are accepted by invitation only following review of all Letters of Intent.
- Invitations to submit a full proposal will be sent via email and include a link to a secure submission portal.
- Guidelines for full proposal can be found in the Program Guidelines (2025-2026) above.
- Note: Applicants who are not invited to submit a proposal will be notified via email.
Important Dates (2025-2026 Funding Cycle)
|
Letter of Intent due |
Monday |
11 |
November |
2024 |
5 pm |
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Invitations to submit full proposals* |
Friday |
22 |
November |
2024 |
5 pm |
|
Complete Application due |
Monday |
27 |
January |
2025 |
5 pm |
|
Applicant informed of decision |
Monday |
10 |
February |
2025 |
5 pm |
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|
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Pilot Research Study Approval Form preparation (NIA RCMAR Program) begins** |
Monday |
17 |
February |
2025 |
|
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Pilot Research Study Approval Form preparation (NIA RCMAR Program complete) ** |
Monday |
14 |
April |
2025 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Project start (earliest possible date) |
Friday |
1 |
July |
2025 |
|
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Project end (latest possible date) |
Tuesday |
30 |
June |
2025 |
Eligibility
Doctoral level, Junior faculty who are Early Stage Investigators as defined by the NIH Early Stage Investigator Policies at the UTRGV and UTRGV School of Medicine
Questions?
Please direct questions to Dr. Michael C. Mahaney, Pilot Studies Program Coordinator, and Ms. Claudia Alaniz, RGV AD-RCMAR Project Coordinator.