The NC TraCS $5K - $50K Translational Research Matched Pilot Grant Program will award 1-year grants of up to $25,000 which must be matched for total awards of up to $50,000.

The program serves as a stimulus for new research initiatives aimed at obtaining sufficient preliminary data to allow new applications for extramural funding.

Eligibility for the $5K-$50K award program follows UNC guidelines for external sponsored research. Eligible PIs from UNC-CH must hold a faculty appointment or other appointment authorized to serve as PI on an externally sponsored research project. Proposals submitted from partner institutions must include a co-investigator from UNC-CH who meets this criteria.

View the $5K-$50K RFA (pdf)

Submission Due Dates

September 22, 2020
March 2021
July 2021
November 2021

Note: Submissions should be received by 5:00 pm on the submission due dates.

Match Commitments

View a list of NC TraCS $5-$50K match commitments

NC TraCS Study Section

A key strength of the NC TraCS Pilot Program is the 30 member standing Study Section. Each member has a strong background in a particular facet of clinical and translational research and a record of service on NIH and other federal agency funding review committees.

The Study Section provides NIH-style written critiques to all $5K-$50K applicants. Funded awardees are assigned to a Study Section member who provides mentorship such as recommending collaborators and referrals to NC TraCS research support resources as appropriate. Study Section mentors also provide guidance to unfunded applicants seeking to strengthen their resubmissions.

The TraCS Study Section’s purview has recently expanded to include the review of other UNC internal pilot programs beyond NC TraCS, to bring consistency to the review process across the School of Medicine and beyond.

Translational Research Ethics Grants

Pilot Program Frequently Asked Questions

Funding Frequently Asked Questions