Translational Science Pilot Awards
The NUCATS Translational Science Pilot Awards program seeks proposals for highly innovative, multi-disciplinary pilot projects that will advance Translational Science. For the definition as well as scientific and operational principles of Translational Science, please see Faupel-Badger JM et al. Clin Transl Sci. 2022.
Information on what qualifies as a Translational Science proposal is in the “Proposal Eligibility” section of the RFA.
This Pilot is intended for faculty to develop data supporting subsequent applications for independent external funding and not for trainee career development.
- Maximum award amount: $50,000
- 2026 application deadline: March 20, 2026
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to Northwestern University faculty.
- Faculty applicants must be engaged in research and be eligible to apply for follow-on external grant funding as a PI or MPI.
- Faculty applicants may or may not also hold appointments in one of the NUCATS Institute’s clinical affiliate institutions (Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, or Shirley Ryan AbilityLab).
2026 Pilot Awards Application Submission
All applicants for the 2026 Pilot Awards must submit their complete application through Competitions, Northwestern’s online submission platform.
The application in Competitions will open on February 15, 2026. Applications must be submitted by the deadline of March 20, 2026 to be considered. Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.
Submit your application here:
https://competitions.fsm.northwestern.edu/
Contact Us
If you would like additional information on this funding mechanism, please email NUCATS-funding@northwestern.edu
