Center for Research Excellence

Pilot Funding

Request for Proposals (RFP): Year 2 Pilot Biomedical Research Grants

Funding Opportunity: Xavier's National Institutes of Health (NIH) / BRE-SPAD Award

Issue Date: September 8th, 2026

Proposal Due Date: November 2, 2026

Performance Period: February 1, 2027 – January 31, 2028

Estimated Total Program Funding: $146,100

Award Ceiling: $30,000

Award Notification: On or about December 1, 2026

I. Purpose and Overview

The Center for Research Excellence (CRE) is pleased to announce the Year 2 call for pilot biomedical research projects. This internal funding opportunity is made possible by a multi-year, $2.8 million cooperative agreement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the Biomedical Research Environment & Sponsored Programs Administration Development (BRE-SPAD) program (Award #1UC2GM162888-01), designed to build institutional capacity and broaden participation in the biomedical research ecosystem.

The primary goals of these pilot projects are to:

  • Catalyze high-impact biomedical research within our faculty community.
  • Generate preliminary data necessary for faculty to successfully transition to larger, external federal funding applications.
  • Foster student engagement in mentored, hands-on research experiences.

Note on Timeline: This is Year 2 funding. All funds must be expended by January 31, 2028. Applicants should propose projects that can be carried out within the Performance Period (February 1, 2027 – January 31, 2028).

Note on Process: Unlike Year 1, which used a rolling submission window, Year 2 uses a single application deadline.

II. Eligibility and Scope

  1. Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility
  • Status: Open to all Xavier tenure-track faculty members or active researchers with ongoing employment (not Visiting Faculty).
  • New Hires: Faculty joining Xavier in Fall 2026 are eligible provided they hold a full-time appointment as of the application deadline (November 2, 2026). New hires should begin the eRA Commons registration process as early as possible, as registration can take several weeks and a valid eRA Commons ID is required for submission to NIH.
  • While all eligible faculty are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to new and junior faculty to support the growth of their early-career research portfolios.
  • Investigators who received BRE-SPAD funding in Round 1 are not eligible to apply for this cycle.
     B. Defining Biomedical Research and Clinical Trials

NIH BRE-SPAD supports a broad spectrum of research, including the following as “biomedical research”:

  • Fundamental Biological Processes: Studies on how living systems work, from molecules and cells to tissues and organs. This includes genetics, biochemistry, and human physiology (e.g., biomechanics, kinesiology, or motor control).
  • Clinical & Translational Pathways: Research that investigates the mechanisms of disease or seeks to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Interfaces: Projects at the intersection of biology and other fields, such as:
    • Chemistry/Physics: Molecular modeling, chemical synthesis, or biophysics.
    • Engineering/Tech: Developing new medical instrumentation, biosensors, or imaging technologies.
    • Data Science: Bioinformatics, biostatistics, or computational modeling of biological systems.
  • Behavioral and Social Science: NIH's mission includes behavioral and social science research, including work without a stated biological or physiological mechanism, provided it aligns with an NIH funding priority or study section (for example: Social Psychology, Personality, and Interpersonal Processes (SPIP); Social and Environmental Determinants of Health (SEDH); or Psychosocial Development, Risk and Prevention (PDRP)).
    • Disciplines that regularly receive NIH funding in this area include Psychology, Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language and Communication Sciences, Exercise Science, and Social Work.
    • Select Education research is also eligible when it addresses the behavioral or biological aspects of learning disabilities, the science of reading/learning, or STEM education (e.g., the Science Education Partnership Award, SEPA). Individual faculty alignment with NIH's mission will vary by discipline and by proposal.

If you are unsure whether your work qualifies as biomedical research, please check the BRE-SPAD RFP and look for the Program Considerations heading. Additionally, please check to ensure your proposal is aligning with current agency priorities and is a project they would fund. Because NIH's current funding priorities add a layer of nuance for behavioral and social science proposals in particular, applicants in these areas are strongly encouraged to submit a brief (~1-paragraph) abstract to the CRE Director before completing the full application. The CRE will do a quick scope check and, where helpful, consult directly with NIH program staff before you invest time in a full proposal.

This award does not support NIH-defined Clinical Trials. If you are not sure if your proposed study is a clinical trial. Please use the Clinical Trial Decision Tool and NIH Clinical Trial Definition to aid in your decision.

Please consult Section VI (Compliance and Funding Restrictions) for further restrictions associated with this funding program.

III. Funding Specifics

  • Maximum Award: $30,000.
  • Budget Flexibility: The review committee reserves the right to adjust final award amounts based on fund availability and proposal scope.
  • Allowable Costs:
    • Faculty summer salary and fringe benefits.
    • Course release (with departmental approval).
    • Student wages (undergraduate/graduate).
    • Supplies/materials, equipment (>$10,000), and participant incentives.
  • Unallowable: Conference travel and associated expenses.

Budgetary Coordination & Allowable Effort

To ensure compliance with federal regulations, please note the following guidelines regarding your project budget:

  • Non-Duplication and Leveraging of Funds: This pilot funding is intended to supplement, rather than duplicate, existing internal or external support.
  • Faculty are encouraged to leverage these awards alongside Xavier resources, such as coupling a Research Release with this pilot's summer salary support, provided that multiple sources do not cover the same period of effort (e.g., dual salary for the same month). If you have already secured support for research time, student stipends, or materials for the Performance Period, you must contact the CRE to discuss how to appropriately layer these funds without duplication.
  • Faculty salary is only available during months when you are not under a full-time teaching contract (such as summer).
  • Faculty who are teaching during summer sessions must contact the CRE prior to submission to determine the maximum allowable salary support under NIH guidelines.
  • Consultation Encouraged: If you are unsure how this pilot funding interacts with your current contract or other awards, the CRE is available for one-on-one budget consultations prior to your submission.

IV. Proposed Project Scenarios

To assist with budget planning, we have identified three likely scenarios based on our institutional needs.

You may align your proposal with one of these or propose a custom hybrid:

Scenario

Primary Focus

Typical Staffing/Support

Scenario 1

Faculty-Led Intensive

2 summer months for 1 faculty + 2 students (20 hrs/wk). Includes supplies.

Scenario 2

Academic Year Integration

1 course release + 1 summer month for 1 faculty + 2 students. Includes supplies.

Scenario 3

Student-Driven/Lab Heavy

Students (30 hrs/wk) during summer to support 1 faculty. Includes equipment/supplies focus.

 

V. Application Format and Review Standards

IMPORTANT: Human Subjects Timeline: Projects involving human subjects, or vertebrate animals require NIH prior approval at least 30 days in theory (we've seen approvals take 9+ weeks) before the project start date, and human-subjects data must be entered into the Human Subjects System (HSS) before that approval request is made. If your proposal will include human subjects applicants should begin IRB preparation as soon as they submit their application.

NIH Review Criteria & Human Subjects

NIH must conduct an administrative review before any pilot funds can be released and work can begin. Projects recommended by the Xavier review panel for funding will be submitted to NIH for approval or notification, as appropriate.

  • Projects With Human Subjects or Vertebrate Animals: These require NIH prior approval. All required documentation must be submitted to the NIGMS Program Official and Grants Management Specialist at least 30 days before the project is scheduled to begin.
  • Note: For human subjects research, study data must also be entered into the Human Subjects System (HSS) before the approval request is made.
  • Projects Without Human Subjects or Vertebrate Animals: These do not require formal prior approval from NIH, but they do require official notification. The CRE must provide the appropriate notification documentation to NIGMS at least 14 days before the project begins.

 Application Materials

We are utilizing a modified version of the PHS 398 forms as required by the BRE-SPAD program.

Application materials aren't posted online; therefore, please send an email to the CRE to request the materials to be sent to you.

Submissions must include:

  • Face Pages (Institutional sign-off). Applicants must have an eRA Commons user name. If you do not have one, please create one.
  • Project Summary (a reflection of the research strategy).
  • Research Strategy (Max 3 Pages):
    • Part A: Significance & Innovation
    • Part B: Approach
    • Part C: Growth Potential
  • Bibliography and References Cited / Progress Report Publication List.
  • Budget & Justification.
  • Letters of Support.
  • Biographical Sketch (NIH Format).

If using Human Subjects:

If using Human Biospecimens:

If using Vertebrate Animals:

If using Select Agents:

Review Rubric

Applications will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary review panel using a rubric that combines Xavier's programmatic priorities with the current NIH Simplified Review Framework. Two of the three NIH Factors receive a numerical score on the NIH 1–9 scale (1 = exceptional; 9 = poor); the third (Expertise and Resources) is evaluated as sufficient or not sufficient, with an explanation required for any identified gap. Reviewers weigh all three Factors together in reaching an Overall Impact assessment; an application does not need to be strong in every category to be judged likely to have impact. The full review workflow will be posted on the CRE website in the coming weeks.  

 

Application Component

Criteria (NIH Factor)

Description

Research Strategy

Significance & Innovation

Factor 1: Importance of the Research: Scored 1–9

Programmatic Alignment (Xavier):

•       Increases and elevates biomedical research capacity among Xavier faculty.

•       Increases opportunities for research-related equipment and supplies.

•       Increases undergraduate and graduate student participation in biomedical research.

Significance (NIH):

•       Evaluates the importance of the proposed research in the context of current scientific challenges and opportunities, for advancing knowledge in the field or more broadly.

•       Assesses whether the application addresses an important gap in knowledge, would solve a critical problem, or create a valuable conceptual or technical advance.

•       Evaluates the rationale for the study and whether the scientific background (prior literature and/or preliminary data) justifies it.

Innovation (NIH):

•       Evaluates whether innovation increases the importance of the research — a project that is not novel may still be critically important to the field.

•       Evaluates whether the work applies novel concepts, methods, or technologies, or applies existing ones in novel ways, to enhance overall impact.

Research Strategy

Approach

Factor 2: Rigor and Feasibility: Scored 1–9

Scientific Merit & Feasibility (Xavier):

•       Likelihood that the proposed plan will yield high-quality data within the project period.

Rigor (NIH):

•       Evaluates the potential to produce unbiased, reproducible, robust data, and the rigor of the experimental design, including appropriate controls.

•       Evaluates whether sample size is sufficient and well-justified, and the quality of plans for analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

•       Evaluates whether relevant biological variables (e.g., sex or age) are addressed in design, analysis, and reporting.

•       For human subjects or animal studies: also evaluates the rigor of the intervention/study manipulation, whether outcome variables are justified, and whether the sample is appropriate and sufficiently diverse.

Feasibility (NIH):

•       Evaluates whether the proposed approach is sound and achievable, including plans to address problems or challenges that emerge.

•       Where feasibility is less certain, evaluates whether that uncertainty is balanced by potential for major advances.

•       For human subjects research: evaluates the adequacy and feasibility of the recruitment and retention plan.

Research Strategy

Growth Potential

Considered within Overall Impact

•       Potential for this pilot to lead to a larger R-series or equivalent NIH grant.

Biosketch & Letters of Support

Investigator(s)

Factor 3: Expertise and Resources. Scored: Sufficient / Not Sufficient

Investigator Qualities (Xavier):

•       Evidence that the researcher has the training and track record to execute the study.

Investigator(s) (NIH):

•       Evaluates whether the investigator(s) have the demonstrated background, training, and expertise appropriate for their career stage.

•       For multiple-PI applications: assesses the quality of the leadership plan for coordination and collaboration.

Budget & Budget Justification

Environment

Factor 3 / Additional Consideration. Scored: Sufficient / Not Sufficient

Budget & Environment (Xavier):

•       Is the budget justified, and does the researcher have the necessary tools and space?

Environment (NIH):

•       Evaluates whether institutional resources are appropriate to ensure successful execution of the proposed work.

Budget and Period of Support (NIH):

•       Evaluates whether the budget and requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

 

Review Integrity: All applications will undergo a peer-review process that includes reviewers disclosing any professional or personal conflicts that require them to be recused from evaluating or discussing applications. The full conflict-of-interest process will be posted in the coming weeks.

NIH Submission Process (Prior Approval / Notification)

Per NIH's BRE-SPAD Cohort 1 Group Meeting (July 15, 2026), the level of documentation the CRE sends to NIH depends on whether a funded project involves human subjects or vertebrate animals:

  • Pilot Research Projects (PRPs) without Human Subjects or Vertebrate Animals: Description is limited to the Project Summary/Abstract.
  • PRPs with Human Subjects or Vertebrate Animals: Description is a full Research Strategy (see above).

For every funded project, the CRE compiles the required PRP information and submits it to NIH at least 30 days before the project's start date, both by email and through a Prior Approval request in eRA Commons. Include the grant number (UC2GM162888) in the subject line of all NIH correspondence.

  • PRPs without Human Subjects or Vertebrate Animals may begin 30 days after NIH submission, unless NIH raises questions that are still being clarified.
  • PRPs with Human Subjects or Vertebrate Animals may not begin until NIH formally notifies the CRE that the project is approved.

Note: NIH may deny a project if the submission package is incomplete, or if there are concerns about alignment with current NIH agency priorities or dangerous Gain-of-Function research.

 

 VI. Compliance and Funding Restrictions

Applicants must ensure that proposed projects adhere to the specific terms and conditions outlined in the NIH Notice of Award for this cooperative agreement. Failure to comply may result in the disallowance of costs.

  1. Clinical Trial Restriction

This award does not support NIH-defined Clinical Trials. If you are not sure if your proposed study is a clinical trial. Please use the Clinical Trial Decision Tool and NIH Clinical Trial Definition to aid in your decision.

  • What is allowed: Observational studies, biomechanical assessments, and basic human physiology research.
  • What is prohibited: Any study that prospectively assigns human participants to an intervention (medical, behavioral, or otherwise) to evaluate the effects on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes.
    B. Restricted Activities and Research Topics

In accordance with recent federal guidelines and our specific award terms, NIH funds may not be used to support the following:

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Any activities, recruitment plans, or training programs specifically described as DEI-related.
  • Specific Research Areas: Research involving climate change, vaccine hesitancy, or gender ideology.
  • Influencing Public Opinion: Activities designed to influence public opinion are strictly prohibited.
  • Foreign Components: This cooperative agreement does not permit foreign components. Any proposed collaborators, sites, or resources located outside the United States must be removed from the project before submission.
  • Gain-of-Function Research: Dangerous Gain-of-Function research, as defined by NIH policy, is not permitted under this award.

These restrictions apply regardless of academic discipline. Applicants in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Education, or other behavioral/social science fields should take particular care in framing research questions, outcome measures, and dissemination plans so that proposals remain within these restrictions. As with the biomedical scope question in Section II.B, the CRE Director is available to review proposed framing in advance of submission.

Note for Specialized Fields: Faculty in disciplines such as Public Health, Communications, Political Science, or Psychology whose work involves public awareness or outreach are encouraged to apply. However, please consult with the CRE Director early in the drafting process for guidance on framing your scope to ensure it remains within NIH compliance regarding the influencing public opinion restriction.

VII. Submission Instructions

Please combine all completed application and required supplemental documents into one single PDF file. Submit your final application via email to cre@xavier.edu.

Unlike Year 1, Year 2 applications are accepted on a single fixed cycle. The submission deadline is November 2, 2026. Awards will be made based on the review process described above and continued availability of funds.

VII. Application Materials

Application materials aren't posted online; therefore, please send an email to the CRE to request the materials to be sent to you.