Since its inception in1995, the NIH-funded Environmental Health Sciences Center for Molecular and Cellular Toxicology with Human Applications at Wayne State University has promoted toxicology/environmental health science research with an emphasis on application to humans/human populations. The Pilot Project Program is designed with incentives specifically directed toward the mission of the EHS Center, i.e. molecular, cellular, genomic, and proteomic research on the mechanisms whereby environmental toxicants affect human health.

Pilot Project proposals are solicited from faculty for new research in toxicology/environmental health at the basic science or clinical level as defined in the broadest context. Four award categories have been established.

1) Applications involving single investigators can apply for a maximum amount of $25,000.

2) Applications involving collaborations between two or more investigators in existing Research programs within the Center and using one or more of the Facility Core Laboratories can apply for a maximum amount of $35,000.

3) Applications involving translational research can apply for a maximum amount of $45,000. Proposals in this category must involve molecular and/or cellular approaches in combination with the use of human derived tissues and/or the inclusion of patients as study subjects. In addition, this category of funding is eligible for a second year of funding, depending on available funds and proven productivity during the first year.

4) A fourth category for applications was introduced last year. Investigators who have previously received a Pilot Project grant, and have subsequently submitted an NIH grant application that has (1) been reviewed, (2) received a priority score and (3) the application has specific aims that align with the EHS mission, can apply for funding of up to $25,000 for up to 1 year. These applications must be accompanied with a budget, and the critique and priority score from the NIH review. This category has no application deadline and can be submitted by the first of each month. These proposals are reviewed for funding by the executive committee of the EHS Center to retain confidentiality.

Applications for funding can be obtained by downloading from the EHS Center’s website at http://www.ehscenter.org. Application packets, as well as additional information on the preparation and submission of proposals may also be obtained by contacting the Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at 577-0100. Deadline for receipt of completed applications is January 15, 2006. Last year, there were a total of 11 new applications. All Pilot Project applications were reviewed by external reviewers. Five applications were funded from the previous cycle at a total level of $120,000. It is anticipated that a similar number of projects will again be supported, depending on available funds, with a start-date of April, 2006.