The mission of the TRP is to stimulate the development of non-clinical and human clinical trials seeking to improve the care of children and to ensure adequate infrastructure to support non-clinical and clinical translational research projects.

Pilot Award funding aims to foster the development of non-clinical and clinical investigations for children with serious diseases.

Letter of Intent: February 3, 2025
Final Application: April 28, 2025
Funds Available: July 1, 2025

2025 RFA

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from all faculty of Boston Children’s Hospital, including nursing, health outcomes and other health care faculty with advanced degrees (M.D., Ph.D., M.D.-Ph.D., or equivalent). Clusters of investigators spanning disciplines and programs made up of basic and clinical faculty are strongly encouraged. Fellows are not eligible.

Cost sharing

Applications for TRP Pilot Grants will require a specific sign-off from Department Chair- persons indicating their commitment to provide a ‘match’ (30% of direct costs awarded) in funding for successful applications. For the Department of Medicine, the Division Chief’s signature is required. The TRP will continue to provide rigorous, multi-disciplinary peer-review for these applications, 70% funding and individual guidance to each funded project during the funding period.

Process

The initial application will consist of a 2-page Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI will be screened to examine if the proposed research project supports the goals of the TRP. The screening process will be performed by a multidisciplinary committee representing established researchers at BCH and chaired by the Director of the Translational Research Program. Following the initial screening, an invitation will be sent to selected investigators to submit the full application.

Funding
  1. New research proposals: These grants are for one year of support. The maximum allowable budget (direct costs) is $100,000. The number of awardees will be determined by the quality of the proposals, the total amounts of the requested budgets of sufficiently meritorious proposals, and available funds. It is anticipated that 5-7 awards will be made in the $50,000-$100,000 range. A second year of funding is possible in rare circumstances; competing renewal applications for a second year of funding will be considered during next year’s grant review cycle.
  2. Competing renewal applications: For those projects previously supported by the TRP, a second year of support may be sought. These applications will be reviewed in the same manner as new applications. Applications must include a “Progress to Date” section and must convincingly justify the need for more support.
  1. New research proposals: These grants are for one year of support. The maximum allowable budget (direct costs) is $100,000. The number of awardees will be determined by the quality of the proposals, the total amounts of the requested budgets of sufficiently meritorious proposals, and available funds. It is anticipated that 5-7 awards will be made in the $50,000-$100,000 range. A second year of funding is possible in rare circumstances; competing renewal applications for a second year of funding will be considered during next year’s grant review cycle.
  2. Competing renewal applications: For those projects previously supported by the TRP, a second year of support may be sought. These applications will be reviewed in the same manner as new applications. Applications must include a “Progress to Date” section and must convincingly justify the need for more support.
Previous Pilot Grant Awardees