Pilot and Feasibility Grants
The Vanderbilt O’Brien Kidney Center funds pilot and feasibility grants for innovative kidney research ranging from basic science to human and clinical translational studies.
Past awardees from the last 20 years have had an 88% success rate of obtaining subsequent independent funding within three years of being awarded a pilot and feasibility grant. Investigators, regardless of institutional affiliation, are welcome to apply.
Please note that the application period is not currently open.
To be eligible for a pilot and feasibility study, an individual must be a faculty member with a rank of Instructor or above, and must fit within the NIH guidelines for eligibility. Some examples may be helpful.
- A study proposed by a new investigator with an interest in a career in research in nephrology before they have developed to the point of being able to obtain individual grant support.
- A study proposed by an established investigator who has experience in areas other than nephrology, and who wants to test their ability to contribute to the nephrology field.
- A study by an established investigator in nephrology who wants to pursue a question in an area different from their current research field.
Format
The NIH requires that the application be submitted on the NIH form PHS 398, which can be obtained from the NIH website here.
Please note: There is a five-page limit, excluding references, for the research description. The application packet must include the following:
- NIH Face Page (form page 1)
- NIH Description, Performance Site and Key Personnel (form page 2)
- NIH Table of Contents (form page 3)
- NIH Budget & Justification Pages (form pages 4 & 5)
- NIH Biographical Sketch (form page FF - maximum 4 pages)
- NIH Formatted Other Support (form page)
- NIH Resources (form page)
If necessary, additional materials can be submitted as an appendix. Applicants should include how VOKC cores will be utilized. For a detailed explanation of core services see, click here.
If your research project involves human or animal subjects, please contact the appropriate office for the necessary forms to obtain committee approval.
Budget
Awards will be $40,000 per year in direct costs. Budget submissions should show direct costs only, and should be for the proposed one-year grant period. Second-year funding may be available contingent on satisfactory progress in year one. For Vanderbilt investigators, the respective federal indirect cost rate will be applied to all expenses and will be paid by the grant in addition to the direct cost amount awarded. For external investigators, indirect cost determination is dependent upon your institution.
Submission
The completed application (1 pdf file) should be consolidated into one document (PDF preferred) and submitted via email to Dr. Matthew Wilson by the next posted due date.
Notes:
- You MUST email the application as ONE document (PDF)
- For Vanderbilt investigators, do NOT submit your application through the Office of Sponsored Research prior to submission Dr. Matthew Wilson.
| Year | Awardee | Project Title | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Michelle Gumz, PhD | Circadian Misalignment: A risk factor for AKI, driver of AKI's cardiovascular sequela, and potential therapeutic target | University of Florida |
| Juan Pablo Arroyo, MD, PhD | The role of the Insulin Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP) in kidney disease | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Carmen De Miguel, PhD | Sex differences in diabetic kidney disease: the innate immune system and endothelin-1 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | |
| 2020 | Lori O’Brien, PhD | Characterization of the podocyte foot process proteome in health and disease | University of North Carolina |
| Cassianne Robinson-Cohen, PhD | Genetic epidemiology of kidney disease in South Africans | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Paola Nicoletti, MD, PhD | Evaluating genetic predisposition to drug induced kidney injury | Mount Sinai | |
| 2019 | Lori O’Brien, PhD | Characterization of the podocyte foot process proteome in health and disease/td> | University of North Carolina |
| Cassianne Robinson-Cohen, PhD | Genetic epidemiology of kidney disease in South Africans | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Paola Nicoletti, MD, PhD | Evaluating genetic predisposition to drug induced kidney injury | Mount Sinai | |
| 2018 | Craig Brooks, PhD | Cyclin G1 mediates G2/M arrest and fibrosis progression in chronic kidney disease | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Jorge Gamboa, MD, PhD | Mitochondrial biology and exercise in patients on maintenance hemodialysis | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Lauren Woodard, PhD | Generation and evaluation of transposon-modified urine-derived stem cells | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2017 | Craig Brooks, PhD | Cyclin G1 mediates G2/M arrest and fibrosis progression in chronic kidney disease | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Jorge Gamboa, MD, PhD | Mitochondrial biology and exercise in patients on maintenance hemodialysis | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Lauren Woodard, PhD | Generation and evaluation of transposon-modified urine-derived stem cells | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2016 | Craig Brooks, PhD | Cyclin G1 mediates G2/M arrest and fibrosis progression in chronic kidney disease | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Jorge Gamboa, MD, PhD | Mitochondrial biology and exercise in patients on maintenance hemodialysis | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Lauren Woodard, PhD | Generation and evaluation of transposon-modified urine-derived stem cells | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2015 | Sijo Matthew, PhD (Supported by VCKD) | Structure function analysis of the role of CD98h in acute kidney injury | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Loren Lipworth, PhD; Kerri Cavanaugh, MD (Supported by VCKD) | Examining environmental exposures to explain kidney disease racial disparities | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2012 | Keith Wilson, MD | H. pylori and hypertension: role of arginase, NO, and polyamines | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Fiona Yull, PhD | Macrophages determine extent of kidney damage representing a therapeutic target | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Elena Tchekneva, PhD | Post-translational Modification of Aquaporin 11 in Diabetic Kidney | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2011 | Peter Clark, MD | Ras and β-catenin synergy in the kidney | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Nataliya Pidkovka, PhD | Role of Cyp2c44 epoxygenase in vascular wall remodeling and inflammation | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Roberto Vanacore, PhD | Role of Collagen IV Sulfilimine Bonds in Processing and Presentation of Goodpasture Autoantigen | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2010 | Peter Clark, MD | Ras and β-catenin synergy in the kidney | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Nataliya Pidkovka, PhD | Role of Cyp2c44 epoxygenase in vascular wall remodeling and inflammation | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Roberto Vanacore, PhD | Role of Collagen IV Sulfilimine Bonds in Processing and Presentation of Goodpasture Autoantigen | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2009 | Scott Baldwin, MD | Modulation of renal ischemia reperfusion injury by NFATc1 | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Lijun Ma, MD, PhD | Mechanism of Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) in Diabetic Nephropathy | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Manakan Srichai, MD | The roles of β1 integrin in acute tubular injury | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Takamune Takahashi, MD, PhD | Development of Imaging Technique for the Assessment of Glomerular Number | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2008 | Scott Baldwin, MD | Modulation of renal ischemia reperfusion injury by NFATc1 | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Lijun Ma, MD, PhD | Mechanism of Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) in Diabetic Nephropathy | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Manakan Srichai, MD | The roles of β1 integrin in acute tubular injury | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Takamune Takahashi, MD, PhD | Development of Imaging Technique for the Assessment of Glomerular Number | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2006 | Xiwu Chen, MD, PhD | The role of Caveolin 1 in integrin α1β1/EGFR crosstalk | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Mark DeCaestecker, MBBS, PhD | Uteroplacental insufficiency and kidney development | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Charles Sanders, PhD | Structure, Folding, and Misfolding of the Vasopressin V2 Receptor | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2005 | Alfred L. George, Jr., MD/Matthew H. Wilson, MD, PhD | Site-directed transposon integration | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Kevin Strange, PhD | Function of a hypertonicity-regulated C. elegans aquaporin | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Ming-Zhi Zhang, MD | Generating kidney selective dopamine null mice | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2004 | Alfred L. George, Jr., MD/Matthew H. Wilson, MD, PhD | Site-directed transposon integration | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Kevin Strange, PhD | Function of a hypertonicity-regulated C. elegans aquaporin | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Ming-Zhi Zhang, MD | Generating kidney selective dopamine null mice | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2003 | Mark DeCaestecker, MBBS, PhD | CITED proteins in renal development and disease | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Ambra Pozzi, PhD | Role of integrin α1β1 in glomerulosclerosis | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Roy Zent, MBBCh, PhD | Membrane Proteins and Ureteric Bud Branching Morphogenesis | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| 2002 | Mark DeCaestecker, MBBS, PhD | CITED proteins in renal development and disease | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Ambra Pozzi, PhD | Role of integrin α1β1 in glomerulosclerosis | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Roy Zent, MBBCh, PhD | Membrane Proteins and Ureteric Bud Branching Morphogenesis | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
Contact the VOKC Pilot and Feasibility Grants Program:
For more information and questions, please email Jennifer Rieke, Program Manager, or call (615) 343-5400.