RUSH to Progress: Accelerating Research through Pilot Awards

RUSH will provide pilot funding for innovative, investigator-initiated research. These awards are designed to encourage translational research by funding well-designed projects that could be competitive for future larger grants from a federal or private agency.

Funding amounts and availability

Option #1: One-Year $50,000 Pilot Award

• This pilot funding program awards grants of up to $50,000 for one year.  Projects must be appropriate in scope for completion of study aims within one year.
• Faculty salary support is allowable up to 20%.
• No Cost Extensions (NCE) will not be allowed. 

Option #2: Two-Year $100,000 Pilot Award

• Funding award grants of up to $50,000 per year for two years (total $100,000). Projects must require two years for completion of study aims.
• Faculty salary support is allowable up to 20%.
• No Cost Extensions will not be allowed.
• Awardees will be evaluated after Year 1 to assess project progress for Year 2 of funding.

Who can apply

• The Principal Investigator of the proposal must be an active RUSH University faculty member at the assistant professor level or above.
• Proposals must be for basic, translational/clinical, health services or community-focused research. Interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged.
• Applicants may submit only one application as a principal investigator per award cycle.
• Early career investigators, women and members of groups underrepresented in research are encouraged to apply. There are no citizenship or residency requirements.