The objectives of the pilot project core are to provide funding for innovative new research to test the hypotheses of investigators to generate preliminary data for future external grant submissions. Young investigators, those who have been funded by external sources for their work in the drug abuse field but have a new hypothesis that needs testing for its feasibility before seeking external funding, investigators who have been successful working in another area of biomedical research and have a hypothesis that utilizes that expertise to test a hypothesis in the drug abuse field. Collaborative projects among scholars from more than one of these groups will be given priority. Scholars from throughout the university will be encouraged to participate in this program and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology will provide matching funds for all pilot projects funded. The scholars funded by this mechanism will have an advantage in seeking support from the School of Medicine Research Funding, the campus-wide A.D. Williams Research Program and the Presidents Research Initiative Program. All levels of the university administration will continue to be committed to support drug abuse researchers through this center of excellence and these other mechanisms It is impressive that scholars supported by the pilot project programs in the past have had at least a three times higher success rate with their external applications than the national average.

Public Health Relevance

These pilot projects which will be innovative have great potential to provide new insights to mechanism to treat and prevent diseases of substance abuse. This type of program will encourage scholars who have proven expertise in other areas of biomedical research to contribute their expertise to this important area.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Center Core Grants (P30)
Project #
5P30DA033934-03
Application #
8978308
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDA1-EXL-T)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2015-12-01
Budget End
2016-11-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$30,194
Indirect Cost
$10,394
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Type
DUNS #
105300446
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298
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