BU CTSI Pilot Grant Program – Call for Abstracts
OVERVIEW
We are excited to announce that the BU CTSI is now accepting abstracts for the BU CTSI Pilot Program, a critical resource for early-stage investigators seeking to collect preliminary data for extramural funding and disseminate novel ideas.
The overarching goal of the BU CTSI Pilot Program is to explore and solve major challenges in translational science by facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations, bringing varied expertise to complex problems, and supporting innovative research that advances the field.
PROGRAM FOCUS
BU CTSI Pilot projects must be focused on translational science and must address a clinical translational science problem. We adopt the NIH’s National Center for Advancing Clinical Translational Science (NCATS) definition of clinical translational science:
“Translational science is the field that generates innovations that overcome longstanding challenges along the translational research pipeline. These include scientific, operational, financial, and administrative innovations that transform the way research is done, making it faster, more efficient, and more impactful.” (NCATS, NIH)
Through employing one or more translational science principles, a translational science-directed hypothesis should generate a scientific, operational, financial, or administrative innovation that addresses longstanding challenges along the translational research pipeline, thereby transforming the way that research is conducted and making it faster, more efficient, and more impactful.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Primary faculty appointment at Boston University
- Research conducted at BU, Boston Medical Center (BMC), the VA Boston Healthcare System, or any of their affiliated hospitals and health centers
- Early-stage investigators are especially encouraged to apply, including those with institutional or individual mentored research awards from NIH or foundations
- Previous BU CTSI pilot award recipients are eligible to apply for new projects, provided awards are at least 2 years apart and prior award(s) demonstrate evidence of productivity
- Applications from interdisciplinary teams of investigators are highly encouraged and will be prioritized
Examples of Supported Activities
- Development of new research methodology and/or new technologies, tools, or resources that advance clinical translational science (CTS) and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of translation
- Early-stage development of innovative therapy or technology with generalizable application to an identified translational challenge
- Demonstration of new methodology or technology in use case(s) that advances translational science by successfully improving one or more steps of the translational process
- Demonstration of new methods or technologies to enhance outcomes for decentralized clinical research
- Biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design (BERD) research
- Dissemination of effective tools, methods, processes, and training paradigms in CTS
- Feasibility and proof-of-concept studies to support future CTS projects
- Secondary analysis of existing data (e.g., real-world data sets to discover real-world evidence or projects using the National COVID Cohort Collaborative [N3C] Data Enclave)
- Validation of digital health technologies to produce digital biomarkers as novel endpoints
Funding Information (Pilot Awards are contingent upon funding)
Funding Cycle Summary:
- Up to four (4) pilot projects will be funded per cycle
- Each pilot receives up to $25,000 in direct costs only
- Cost sharing is not required and not permitted
- Projects must be completed within the allotted period (maximum 12 months); no-cost extensions are not available
Allowable Expenses:
- Laboratory supplies and materials
- Animal costs
- Small equipment
- Patient recruitment costs
- Consultant fees
- Travel (directly related to pilot activities)
Timeline & Inquiries
| Event | Date |
| Abstract – Due | September 14, 2026 |
| Abstract Review | September 21, 2026 |
| Invitation to Submit Full Application | September 28, 2026 |
| Informational Webinar (TBD) | Fall 2026 |
| Full Application – Due | Fall 2026* |
| Scientific Review | Fall 2026* |
| Funding Announcement | Winter 2026* |
| NCATS Required Prior Approval | ∼1 month |
| Anticipated Project Start Date | To be determined * |
| Maximum Project Duration | 12 months or less (1st year of the cycle may not be a full year) |
*Additional dates to be announced soon. Register for email updates here.
Administrative Contact:
Hubert Wong
Director of Finance & Operations
617.358.7553
ctsipilots@bu.edu
Abstract Submission Information – Due September 14, 2026
Collaborations & Resources
Applications from interdisciplinary teams are highly encouraged and will be prioritized. Collaborations with investigators outside BU/BMC and their affiliates are permitted; however, justification for the external collaboration must be provided in your application.
Resources to Identify Collaborators:
- Search BU Profiles for BU-based investigators
- Contact the BU CTSI Navigator Team: ctsisvcs@bu.edu