Pilot & Feasibility Program

CO-CDTR is seeking applications for funding to support translational research on diabetes or related conditions in the Center’s priority populations for a 2027-28 funding cycle.

Request for Applications

Overview of the Program

The Colorado Center for Diabetes Translation Research (CO-CDTR) seeks to translate research of proven efficacy into clinical and community settings, with the goal of improving the prevention and treatment of diabetes in populations experiencing a high burden of the disease. The Center focuses on improving diabetes-related outcomes in specific priority populations: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN), Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NH/OPI), Latino/Hispanic (L/H), and rural communities.

The CO-CDTR Pilot & Feasibility Program (PFP) is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support research consistent with this mission. The PFP provides support for investigators committed to conducting translational research on diabetes or related conditions (e.g., obesity) in the Center’s priority populations (i.e., AI/AN, NH/OPI, L/H, and rural communities). During this research and training program, which typically lasts 18 months, Pilot Grant Awardees will:

1. complete and publish a pilot project relevant to diabetes in ≥1 of the priority populations (Months 1-12) and
2. develop a grant application seeking larger-scale funding for their research efforts (Months 13-18).

During the final months of the pilot project, which focus on grant application development, Pilot Grant Awardees will complete the virtual Grant Writing for Health Researchers Program, developed by the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, as well as other training opportunities facilitated by the CO-CDTR. To ensure each Awardee has the support and guidance needed to develop a rigorous and compelling grant application, the CO-CDTR will pair each Awardee with an established investigator with relevant expertise who will provide intensive guidance and mentorship on grant development.

Successful applications will be those that hold promise of improving prevention or treatment of diabetes or related conditions, are scientifically meritorious, are feasible within the time and resources available, and represent an early step in an innovative line of inquiry that can continue beyond this initial investment. CO-CDTR funding cannot be used to supplement funded research already in progress.

>> View the overview info sheet of the Request for Applications

Eligibility to Apply

Applications will be accepted from investigators affiliated with any institution in the United States that is eligible to receive research awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Investigators are eligible to apply if they meet the NIH definition of an early stage or new investigator or are established investigators new to the field of diabetes translation research. A new investigator is one who has not previously received a substantial independent research award from the NIH as Principal Investigator (e.g., R01). Information about new investigators is provided on the NIH website.

Research Topics

The PFP is open to projects that involve primary data collection or secondary analysis and welcomes projects examining a wide range of topics. Illustrative topics addressed by recently funded pilot projects include:

• Impact of SGLT-2 Inhibitors & GLP-1 RAs on Aging Outcomes
• History of Breastfeeding and Diabetes Incidence
• Access to Healthy Foods and Connectedness to Traditional Foods
• Mental Health, Diabetes, and Obesity
• Cancer Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
• Prevention of Gestational Diabetes•Social Drivers of Obesity

How to Apply

The application process involves 2 steps:

Step 1. Submit the CO-CDTR Pilot & Feasibility Program Interest Form

Investigators planning to apply to the Pilot & Feasibility Program should submit a completed CO-CDTR Pilot & Feasibility Program Interest Form. The form helps program staff anticipate the number of applications that will be received, identify reviewers with appropriate expertise, and reach out to interested investigators with guidance on application development. We encourage you to download the PDF of the questionnaire so you can prepare your responses prior to completing the interest form.

>> CO-CDTR Pilot & Feasibility Program Interest Form

Step 2. Submit Complete Application

Applications should describe a proposed research project that can answer important questions related to the prevention or treatment of diabetes or related conditions in ≥1 of the Center’s priority populations. Applications should include the following sections:

• Title Page (include project title as well as PI’s name, degree (discipline), title, and affiliation)
• 250-word Abstract
• Proposal Narrative: Specific Aims (1 page) and Research Strategy (4 pages)
• Career & Research Plans (≤ 1 page)
• Mentorship Plan (≤ 1 page) & Letter of Support from Senior Mentor (for new investigators)
• Project Timeline & Milestones (≤ 1 page)
• References Cited (no page limit)
• Protection of Human Subjects & Cumulative Inclusion Enrollment Report (no page limit)
• Biosketches for Principal Investigator & Key Personnel (including Senior Mentor)
• Detailed Budget & Budget Justification 
• Institutional Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Rate Agreement 

Proposal Narrative. The narrative should describe the study’s specific aims and research strategy. Investigators should highlight the significance and innovation of the proposed project and summarize the methodological approach. Applicants should describe the quality of the research environment in which the work will be completed and highlight the unique and complementary expertise of the key personnel.  

Career & Research Plans. Applicants should describe their career aspirations and summarize plans for a future research program addressing diabetes-related outcomes in ≥1 of the Center’s priority populations. Investigators should clarify how the proposed project will serve as a steppingstone toward their larger goals.

Mentorship Plan & Letter of Support. Applicants who are new investigators must identify a Senior Mentor with whom they will work on the project. The Senior Mentor must be an experienced researcher with expertise relevant to the proposed project's content or methods. In the application, the Principal Investigator should summarize the mentorship plan, describing how mentorship will be provided and the frequency of project-related contact between the applicant and the Mentor. The application should include a Letter of Support from the Senior Mentor, committing to providing guidance and oversight.

Project Timeline & Milestones. Pilot projects are typically funded for an 18-month period, although investigators needing additional time (e.g., to complete primary data collection) may request a 6-month no-cost extension. Each application should include a table and narrative briefly outlining the timeline for major project milestones. The timeline should include at least the following tasks:

• Receipt of approval from all relevant institutional review boards (IRBs),
• Completion of data collection (if relevant) and study analyses, 
• Submission of a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal, and
• Submission of a grant application to NIH.

Protection of Human Subjects & Cumulative Inclusion Enrollment Report. Proposals should describe the potential risks of study participation and the methods to be employed to protect human subjects. 

• This HHS website can help investigators identify the type of review their proposed project is likely to require.
• Investigators should complete the Cumulative Inclusion Enrollment Report.

Biosketches. Biosketches are required for the Principal Investigator, Senior Mentor, and all key personnel. Key personnel include all individuals who will contribute substantively to the scientific development or execution of the project (whether or not they are paid members of the staff). Applicants should prepare biosketches using SciENcv.

Detailed Budget & Institutional F&A Agreement. Applicants should provide a detailed project budget broken out by project year. Budgets should be prepared using PHS 398 Form Page 4 – Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period. The budget should not exceed $30,000 in direct costs for the proposed 18-month project period. For applicants from the University of Colorado, indirect costs are not allowed and should not be calculated into the budget. For applicants outside the University of Colorado, indirect costs are allowable and should be accounted for in the budget, using the applicant’s institutional F&A rate. If an external applicant is able to obtain institutional approval for an 8% training indirect cost rate or a full waiver of indirect costs, the difference can be converted to direct costs, thus allowing an increase in the project’s Scope of Work. Please contact Dr. Angela Brega, Director of the PFP, to discuss this option before submission of an application ([email protected]). 

A copy of the institution’s F&A Agreement should be included in the application.

Budget Justification. A budget justification should describe project costs using the categories identified in the PHS 398 budget form. Allowable expenses include salary support, travel to present study findings, and project-specific research supplies. Although salary support is allowable for the Principal Investigator, key personnel, and other project staff, salary support cannot be requested for the Senior Mentor. Other unallowable expenses include (but are not limited to) rent, computer equipment, food, furniture, telecommunications (i.e., monthly line charges), administrative support, and professional society dues.

Formatting. Applications should use Arial 11-point font, be single-spaced, and use ½-inch margins.

Application Submission. Applications should be submitted as a single PDF document and uploaded via the form.

>> CO-CDTR Pilot & Feasibility Program Submission Form

Application Guidance

We encourage applicants to contact Dr. Brega with questions and to obtain guidance on the development of their applications.

Angela Brega, PhD
Co-Director, CO-CDTR
Director, Pilot & Feasibility Program
[email protected]

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by investigators with expertise in the content area addressed and/or the methods described in the proposed project. Reviewers will evaluate applications using the Simplified NIH Review Framework. Factors considered in the review process include the following:

• Importance of the Research – Is the proposed project significant and innovative? 
• Rigor and Feasibility – Is the project likely to result in compelling, reproducible findings (rigor)? Can the proposed study be done well and within the timeframe proposed (feasibility)?
• Expertise and Resources – Do the investigators have demonstrated background, training, and expertise, as appropriate for their career stage, to conduct the proposed work? Are institutional resources adequate to ensure the successful execution of the project?

Following the review process, PFP staff will ask applicants with competitive scores to prepare a written response addressing the reviewers’ critiques. Applicants need not revise the application itself. Funding decisions will consider the application, the review, and the applicant’s response to the reviewers’ concerns, and will be contingent on Center funding.

Application & Review Timeline

Expectations & Project Monitoring

Major expectations for investigators funded through the CO-CDTR Pilot & Feasibility Program include:

• Publication of ≥ 1 peer-reviewed journal article based on the proposed secondary analysis and 
• Submission of a grant application seeking funding to support continued research efforts.

Throughout the project, investigators are expected to attend and complete all required milestones and planned program activities, including:

• Regular mentoring meetings with the Senior Mentor and CO-CDTR Grant Development Mentor,
• Planned education and training activities (e.g., Grant Writing for Health Researchers Program), and
• Annual Pilot & Feasibility Program Awardee Meeting. 

To ensure that CO-CDTR Pilot & Feasibility Program staff can monitor study progress and that projects comply with the Center’s Human Subjects Research Oversight Plan, funded investigators will be required to:

• Develop a project timeline that includes specific milestones (e.g., completion of study analyses),
• Provide documentation of continuous IRB approval,
• Submit final Cumulative Inclusion Enrollment data,
• Submit a Data Safety Monitoring Plan (if the project is not exempt from human subjects review),
• Submit a Manuscript Proposal & Analysis Plan, 
• Submit a Grant Application Plan, and
• Submit brief quarterly reports describing study progress.

Annually, investigators will be asked to provide updated CVs/biosketches and complete a brief survey outlining their accomplishments during the project year (e.g., publications, presentations, grant applications, honors). Because some outcomes of pilot funding will not be immediate, program staff will request this information annually during all remaining years of the parent grant (2026-2031).

Questions?

Contact Angela Brega, Pilot & Feasibility Program Director, at [email protected] for questions.