Center for Research Excellence

Pilot Funding

Request for Proposals (RFP): Immediate Pilot Biomedical Research Grants

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

Issue Date: May 6, 2026

Proposal Due Date: Applications can be submitted immediately. The review process will start May 20th for completed applications received by that date. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until August 1st. Awards will be made based upon continued availability of funds.

Performance Period: April 7, 2026 – January 31, 2027

I. Purpose and Overview

The Center for Research Excellence (CRE) is pleased to announce an immediate call for pilot biomedical research projects. This internal funding opportunity is made possible by a recent 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 goal of these pilot projects is 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: Because this is Year 1 funding, all funds must be expended by January 31, 2027. Applicants should propose projects that are ready to go for the summer and fall 2026 terms.

For faculty planning research trajectories that do not fit the immediate summer/fall 2026 window, a second call for proposals is scheduled for later this year.

II. Eligibility and Scope

A. Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility

  • Status: Open to all Xavier full-time faculty members or active researchers with ongoing employment (not Visiting Faculty).
  • Student Engagement: Proposals are encouraged to include a plan for meaningful involvement of students in the research process.
  • 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.

B. Defining Biomedical Research

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

  1. 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).
  2. Clinical & Translational Pathways: Research that investigates the mechanisms of disease or seeks to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
  3. 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 Science: Studies on the physiological or biological mechanisms underlying behavior (e.g., the biological impact of stress or exercise).

If you are in a field such as Psychology, Nursing, Sports Science, or Computer Science and are unsure if your work qualifies as biomedical, please check the BRE-SPAD RFP and look for the Program Considerations heading. If you are still uncertain, we encourage you to submit a ~1-paragraph summary to the CRE Director for a quick scope check before completing the full application.

Please consult 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). Faculty salary is only available during months when you are not under a full-time teaching contract (such as summer).
    • If you have already secured support for research time, student stipends, or materials for summer/fall 2026, you must contact the CRE to discuss how to appropriately layer these funds without duplication.
    • Faculty who are teaching during the 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.
  1. 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.

IV. Application Format and Review Standards

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 approval prior approval from NIH, but they do require official notification. You must provide the appropriate notification documentation to NIGMSH at least 14 days before the project

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

Submissions must include (Shortened PHS 398 application form located on the CRE website):

  1. Face Pages (Institutional sign-off).
    1. Applicants must have an eRA commons user name. If you do not have one, please create one.
  2. Project Summary (A reflection of the research strategy)
  3. Research Strategy: (Max 3 Pages)
    1. Part A: Scientific Merit & Feasibility
    2. Part B: Programmatic Alignment
    3. Part C: Growth Potential
  4. Bibliography and References Cited/Progress Report Publication List
  5. Budget & Justification
  6. Letters of Support    
  7. Biographical Sketch (NIH Format).
  8. If using Human Subjects
9. If using Human Biospecimens
10. If using Vertebrate Animals:
11. If using Selected Agents:
  • More information about biohazards can be found in these reviewer guidelines, Review of Biohazards.

Applications will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary review panel using a rubric modeled after the NIH 1–9 scoring system. The 9-point rating scale is (1 = exceptional; 9 = poor). Proposals will be specifically assessed on the following:

Application Component

Criteria

Description

Research Strategy

Scientific Merit & Feasibility

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

Programmatic Alignment

How well the project fits Xavier’s specific pilot funding program goals and biomedical mission.

  1. Increase and Elevate Biomedical Research of Faculty
  2. Increase Opportunities for Equipment and Supplies
  3. Increase undergraduate and graduate student participation in biomedical research

Growth Potential

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

Biosketch & Letters of Support

Investigator Qualities

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

Budget & Budget Justification

Budget & Environment

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

 

Review Integrity: All applications will undergo a peer-review process that includes reviewers disclosing any professional or personal conflicts that will require them to be recused from evaluating or discussing applications.

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.

A. Clinical Trial Restriction

This award does not support NIH-defined Clinical Trials.

  • 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.

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.

Applications can be submitted immediately. The review process will start May 20th for completed applications received by that date. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until August 1st. Awards will be made based upon continued availability of funds.

VIII. Application Materials

  Please click here to send an email to the CRE to ask for the materials to be sent to you.