Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine

Pilot Project Program

Visual Sciences Center of Biomedical Research Excellence
Pilot Project Program

The Visual Sciences Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (VS-CoBRE) expects to support two Pilot Projects of up to $75,000 in direct costs for one year. Applications will be reviewed for scientific rigor, impact, and feasibility based on the budget and the scope of work specifically covered by that support.

Applications must describe a pilot research project that aligns with the scientific theme of the VS-CoBRE and will provide preliminary data for a substantial extramural research project grant application. Preference will be given to projects that benefit from the Visual Function and Morphology (VFM) Core at WVU. This competition is open to all full-time, tenure- or clinical-track, or tenured faculty at WVU (see specifics on Eligibility below in provided documents). Priority will be given to junior investigators.

To Apply:

The Application should include the following components:

  • Project Summary (30-line abstract)
  • A list of key/senior personnel and their role on the project
  • Facilities and Resources: include major equipment available to project, and a paragraph on planned use of the VFM Core.
  • Updated Biosketch in NIH Include Biosketches of key personnel and other significant contributors
  • Detailed budget and budget justification (use NIH budget form)
  • Research Plan (Use Continuation Format Page) should have the following components
    • Specific aims: limit to 2 specific aims (1 page)
    • Research Strategy (3 pages maximum)
      • Background and Significance
      • Innovation
      • Rigor and Statistical Analysis
      • Preliminary data (if any; not required)
      • Approach
      • Experimental design
      • Anticipated Results, data analysis,
      • Alternative approaches
      • Please note NIH’s emphasis on “scientific rigor and reproducibility” (https://grants.nih.gov/reproducibility/index.htm).
      • Research plan should explain how the proposed aims will support a future application for an NIH, NSF (or equivalent) research project
    • Bibliography (short, less than 35 references)

Please see documents below for additional details:

Pilot Grant Award Competition Funding Opportunity Announcement

Documents needed for Visual Sciences- CoBRE Pilot Project

If you have any questions on the forms or documents required, please reach out to: Melissa Kuhn (mkuhn@hsc.wvu.edu)

Compile the Letter of Intent, NIH formatted Biosketch, and Other Support information into a single PDF document for submission. Submit your complete application package before 5 PM on August 1, 2025, to Sherrie Rice (shrice@hsc.wvu.edu).