Open Opportunities

Research Project Development Teams (PDTs) are groups of experienced senior faculty located on each of the Indiana CTSI campuses who will connect you with resources, collaboration opportunities, and small (typically up to $15,000) awards for preliminary or additional data. Each PDT is designed around a common research theme.

There are biostatisticians and regulatory experts on each team, and other experts are added, as needed, to the team to when your application is discussed. You will have access to the expertise and knowledge you need all in one place.

The PDT application process is contingent on the stage of the project. You have selected the application process for pilot funding from the PDTs for a first time external submission. If you are seeking pilot funding prior to an external resubmission please use Research Project Development Teams (PDTs):  Project Revision

Research Project Development Teams (PDTs) are groups of experienced senior faculty located on each of the Indiana CTSI campuses who will connect you with resources, collaboration opportunities, and small (typically up to $15,000) awards for preliminary or additional data. Each PDT is designed around a common research theme.

There are biostatisticians and regulatory experts on each team, and other experts are added, as needed, to the team to when your application is discussed. You will have access to the expertise and knowledge you need all in one place.

The PDT application process is contingent on the stage of the project. You have selected the application process for pilot funding from the PDTs for an external resubmission.  If you are seeking pilot funding prior a first time external submission please use Research Project Development Teams (PDTs):  Project Refinement.

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is providing an opportunity to fund cancer focused PI-directed applications to the National Institutes of Health that have been reviewed once and missed the NIH pay line and have a high potential for obtaining external funding. The goal is to increase the cancer focused NIH funding base. Non-NCI targeted applications should have significant cancer relevance.

Investigators wishing to apply to this funding mechanism must first submit their project to the IU External Resubmission Grant opportunity for funding consideration. If the project is not funded at the University level, an investigator can submit the project to the Cancer Center’s Near-Miss initiative for funding consideration.

Investigators wishing to apply to this funding mechanism must first submit a draft cover letter (letter of intent) for approval by the Cancer Center’s Executive Committee before working with a Coordinator to submit a full application. Once approved, the link for submitting the online application will be sent.

Maximum allowable amount for R01, R42 and R44 grants is $50K with P01 and SPORE funding amounts evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is pleased to announce the availability of funds for new pilot projects to assist new IU investigators who hold the rank of Assistant Professor, Research Assistant Professor, or Assistant Scientist who is within six years of their first independent research or faculty appointment but without an active (i.e., NIH, NSF, ACS) national competitive research grant, regardless of the topic. These funds are from the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS-IRG). This grant provides support for beginning investigators to enable them to initiate their independent research program.

The purpose of the ACS-IRG program is to attract new investigators from Indiana University into cancer research and to provide support for new pilot studies that will produce preliminary data for the investigator to develop into studies that will compete successfully for external, national funds from both federal and private sources and funding can be requested up to $50,000.   

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC) and the Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) program are inviting applications from member investigators (Research Track Members do not qualify) that focus on one of the program themes:
1) risk reduction/early detection
2) symptom science/survivorship
Preference will be given to projects that address cancers with the highest mortality rates (lung, breast, colon) or reducing variations in cancer outcomes across our catchment area.

We encourage:
1) early investigators who have not yet received R-level funding to develop an application as a mentored grant
2) applications that propose inter-programmatic, collaborative projects that will lead to an R01 or equivalent application
3) applications that include collaborators from other IUSCCC Research Programs (EDT or TMM).

The principal investigator must be an IUSCCC member (faculty who are associate or full members of a Research Program, Affiliate members or Unaligned members).

The duration of this pilot funding is one year, and the budget should not exceed $50,000. 

IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement is inviting collaborative proposals for implementing evidence-based cancer related programs within the community. Proposals should address the cancer burden in Indiana. The program should include an evaluation component and priority will be given to projects targeting one of the major cancer burdens in Indiana, including lung, breast, colon, pancreas, prostate and cervical. We are particularly interested in initiatives that promote healthier behaviors linking to reducing cancer incidence and morbidity. Of particular interest are community-led programs that expand our reach and deepen our understanding of populations across Indiana. The project must be co-led by an Cancer Center faculty member and a community advocate or partner.

The duration of this funding is one year, and the budget should not exceed $15,000.

IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Gift Development is inviting proposals for the Heroes Foundation Team JOEY Pediatric Cancer Research program.  Bringing joy and supporting research and advocacy for Indiana’s youngest cancer patients, the Heroes Foundation Team JOEY Program honors the memory of Joey Keller, who fought with a spirit and attitude that amazed and inspired family, friends and even caregivers.  Heroes Foundation would like to support pediatric cancer research designed to prevent, diagnose, treat, and/or beat cancer.

We anticipate the Heroes Foundation Team JOEY award will be approximately $10k per year over a three-year period.  The principal investigator must be an IUSCCC faculty member who holds the academic rank of:  Assistant Professor, Research Assistant Professor, Assistant Scientist, Associate Research Professor, or Research Scientist.  Current post-docs and residents/fellows are also eligible, provided they will have a full-time faculty appointment at the academic rank listed above and will be an IUSCCC member at the time of funding award.

The purpose of this RFA is to support innovative pilot projects that inform larger-scale research aimed at strengthening cancer-related outcomes in communities across the United States. The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is inviting proposals for pilot/feasibility research projects that address populations with a higher cancer burden. These projects should aim to identify practical, evidence-based strategies to advance prevention, early detection, treatment, or survivorship care in these communities. Populations of interest may include individuals experiencing economic hardship, or other circumstances that affect their ability to achieve the best possible health outcomes. Research that emphasizes reducing delays in diagnosis or treatment, supporting continuity of care, and promoting long-term recovery will be prioritized.

The duration of this pilot funding is one year, and the budget should not exceed $50,000.

IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Gift Development is inviting proposals for The SJP Heroes Scholar Award.  The SJP Heroes Cancer Research Fund is an endowed fund created in honor of Susan J. Patrick, the mother of Heroes Foundation co-founder Cindy Todd. Susan was a three time cancer patient and was instrumental in supporting Heroes' co-founder Vince Todd, Jr. during his own battle with cancer https://www.heroesfoundation.org/.  Heroes would like to support a junior member of the Hematology/Oncology division who is performing cancer focused research. Current fellows with faculty position offers accepted in the division of Heme/Onc are eligible.

The SJP Scholar award is an estimated $10k per year over a three-year period.  The principal investigator must be a junior member of the Heme/Onc division and an IUSCCC member at the Associate level in a Cancer Center Research Program (CPC, EDT, HHM or TMM) or an Affiliate member at the level of: Assistant Professor, Research Assistant Professor, Assistant Scientist, Associate Research Professor, or Research Scientist.  Current post-docs and residents/fellows are also eligible, provided they will have a full-time faculty appointment and will be an Associate or Affiliate level Cancer Center member at the time of funding award.

Indiana University Health’s strength in providing excellent patient care is partially based on involvement in the continuous development of new, pre-eminent health care professionals throughout the entire workforce and innovative care delivery models.  The Indiana University Health is seeking applicants for the IU Health Values Pilot and Feasibility Education Program.

Areas of interest for 2026 round of Values Fund for Education grants are:
1) healthcare disparities and inequities, with curriculum benefiting healthcare providers and not focused on a community audience
2) rural health
3) behavioral health
4) point of care ultrasound

Funding is limited to a maximum of $50,000 per year for two years.

The IU Health Values Fund for Research is primarily directed at new and early-stage investigators (per NIH definition) in the process of establishing research careers.

To be eligible, applicants must fit the following criteria:
1)   Are within ten (10) years of their graduation from last period of training or terminal degree at the time of the submission.
2)   Have held no more than one small grant (less than $100,000) for which they were the Principal Investigator or Lead. Co-PI on other projects won’t count toward this requirement. It is acceptable for applicants to hold early career training grants (e.g. NIH K08, K23).
3)   Hold an academic rank of Assistant Professor or within first two years as an Associate Professor. (For IUSM faculty to be eligible)

Clinical Trial Requirement:

It is expected that all applications will include at least one specific aim that proposes a pilot clinical trial (as defined by the NIH), to generate the preliminary data necessary to support an extramural application or demonstration of primary investigator competency to create or be selected as a site PI for a well-powered trial.

Specifically, the proposed research must meet all four of the following criteria:
1) Involves human participants
2) Participants are prospectively assigned to an intervention
3) Designed to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the participants
4) Evaluates a health-related biomedical or behavioral outcome

Applications to this program are limited to $150,000 over a three (3) year duration, with a $50,000 per year maximum.

The Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute is seeking applications for K12 Early Career Investigator clinical – translational research proposals.

These awards are designed to provide promising early career faculty investigators the opportunity to be mentored in research-intensive, multi-disciplinary settings toward the goal of developing careers in clinical - translational research. Emphasis of the Indiana CTSI K12 Early Career Investigator Awards in Clinical - Translational Research are to move findings from basic laboratory and pre-clinical research toward the development of new treatment options or interventions or clinical trials to eventual dissemination or clinical implementation to studying population health outcomes and health metrics. The phases of translational research may not necessarily be linear and can jump steps depending on the research project and the starting point. The goal of the Indiana CTSI is to make awards at all of these stages. It is important that the clinical - translational research have clear applications to human disease and health outcomes.

For details and eligibility requirements, please see the links below for the full announcement and other supporting documents. Applicants should open and read all of the links under “Files for Investigators” before starting a submission.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to send their current CV, proposed working title and abstract to Aaron Zych for eligibility pre-screening no later than December 05, 2025.

This Executive Associate Dean for Research (EADR) sponsored program is intended to support large, collaborative, interdisciplinary grants including, but not limited to, program project grants (P01s), center grants (P30s, P50s, P60s), and cooperative agreements (U54s). The goal of this initiative is to bring together faculty of Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) to collaborate and develop novel concepts that advance the mission and research goals of IUSM. These funds must be used for experiments to generate data to support the grant application. Support for this program is dependent on the availability of funds from the EADR.

Please see RFA linked below for details.

The MACC-SIREN Faculty Fellowship in Acute Care Research is an NIH-funded, mentored clinical research training program. The program provides 20% salary support for intensive, mentored research career development experience for junior faculty with a clinical doctoral degree (MD, DO, PharmD) interested in developing careers as physician- and surgeon-scientists leading high-impact clinical trials in acute care research topics.

Junior and mid-career (assistant and associate professor rank) clinical faculty (MD,DO, PharmD) at MACC-SIREN institutions (hubs, spokes and sub-spokes) with a full-time appointment in Emergency Medicine, Neurology, Cardiology, Pulmonary & Critical Care; or Trauma & Acute Care Surgery are eligible. Eligible candidates must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States.

The award provides an annual amount of 20% of the NIH Salary Cap.  The award period is for 1 year beginning February 1st, 2026 and may be renewed one time for a total of 2 years. Renewal is competitive.

The Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine is pleased to announce the availability of grants to support research projects conducted by pediatric clinical fellows in accredited fellowship programs within the sections of the Department of Pediatrics.

Fellow research projects can request funding up to $10,000 for a one year project.

Through a generous donation from James R. and Nancy E. Carpenter, as well as a matching contribution from the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center (IADC) established the Sarah Roush Memorial Fellowship in Alzheimer’s Disease Research, an annual postdoctoral fellowship supplement that will enhance current research in the field of Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative dementing illnesses. The application can be focused on clinical, neuropsychological, basic, or other specific type of research on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.  Open to postdoctoral fellows at any IU campus.

Fellowship will provide $22,500 for one year (calendar year 2026).

Since 1975, IUSM has received research funding through gifts made possible from the Ralph W. and Grace M. Showalter Research Trust Fund. The areas of appropriate biomedical research, eligible for funding, are broad and described by the benefactors as “the type of medical research that is most likely to permanently benefit mankind.” Donor intent prohibits the use of Showalter Trust funds for research in psychiatry, sociology, or social studies.

Only current full-time faculty (non-visiting status) having a primary appointment in IUSM and a rank of assistant professor or assistant scientist are eligible to apply for funding from the Showalter Research Trust.

Applications for funding from the Ralph W. and Grace M. Showalter Research Trust will be reviewed in two stages. An initial review by the IUSM Biomedical Research Committee (BRC) will select the most meritorious proposals for further discussion and ranking. The BRC will then provide a recommended ranking to the Showalter Trustees who conduct a second review. Final funding decisions are made by the Showalter Trustees.

Applications should have a maximum requested amount of $75,000.

The Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) T32 Postdoctoral Training Awards, funded in part by NCATS, are designed to provide promising postdoctoral fellows with the opportunity to be mentored in research-intensive multi-disciplinary settings toward the goal of developing careers across the spectrum of translational research.

Emphasis of the Indiana CTSI postdoctoral training awards in translational research is to move findings from basic laboratory and pre-clinical research (referred to as T1 research) toward the development of new treatment options or interventions or clinical trials (referred to as T2 research) to eventual dissemination or clinical implementation (referred to as T3 research) to studying population health outcomes and health metrics (referred to as T4 research). The phases of translational research may not necessarily be linear and can jump steps depending on the research project and the starting point. The goal of the Indiana CTSI is to make awards at all of these stages.

Funding for all postdoctoral training awards is for up to two years (with the 2nd year of funding contingent upon review and demonstration of satisfactory progress). Benefits include salary support as well as health insurance and research training related expenses.

Applications will be accepted for two tracks:
1) Community- Public Health Track:  Available for those postdoctoral fellows who have a keen interest for directed training in T3 to T4 translational research in the areas of clinical, health care delivery, public health, population health, or community or policy based efforts. It is important that the translational research have clear applications to human disease and health outcomes.

2) Traditional Track:  The postdoctoral fellow will undertake a translational research project tailored to his or her interests while working in a research environment with mentors who can help the fellow develop the necessary skills to become a successful translational science researcher.

 Interested candidates must submit a current CV, proposed working title, and abstract to Aaron Zych for eligibility screening BEFORE starting an application in WebCAMP.  Mr. Zych will provide applicants with a link to start an application in WebCAMP once they are qualified to apply.