Deadline: Oct. 30, 2026
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The Washington University Diabetes Research Center (DRC) anticipates funding new Pilot & Feasibility Awards through an ongoing collaborative program with the University of Kentucky starting April 1, 2027. Grants of up to $38,000 (direct costs) for one year will be awarded.

The goal of this program is to develop preliminary data leading to the submission of new applications for independent (NIH, Breakthrough T1D, or ADA) research grants. The contact Principal Investigator of this program at the University of Kentucky is Philip Kern, MD. 

Eligibility
The following qualify for grant support under this Pilot & Feasibility Program:

• New faculty members involved in diabetes-related research, who have not yet obtained independent funding. Applications from these individuals are most likely to be supported by this mechanism.
   
• Established investigators not involved in diabetes-related research who propose feasibility studies related to diabetes.

Applicants must hold a faculty appointment and be independent investigators in any department at University of Kentucky. Postdoctoral Fellows or their equivalents are not eligible.

For those applicants who hold a mentored award (e.g., NIH K01, K08, Scientist Development Grant, etc.) or who have indicated that a senior scientist will serve as a mentor, the application should be accompanied by the mentor's other support page and a letter from the mentor stating that the proposed project is independent of the mentor's research program.

There is no specific citizenship requirement.

Previous recipients of this Pilot & Feasibility support are eligible, but priority will be given to those who have not been supported by this program.

Questions?
Contact Philip Kern, MD, at pake222@uky.edu.