Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC)
Pilot Research Program

2025 Competition

Download PDF: SNPRC Pilot Grant Application Instructions 2025

Important dates/Timeline:

Submit Letter of Intent (LOI) December 6, 2024
Notification of Approval to Submit Application December 20, 2024
Submit a Veterinary Resources Request Form January 10, 2025
Submit Completed Application February 14, 2025
Decision Letters Sent March 26, 2025

PURPOSE

The SNPRC Pilot Research program provides opportunities and support for investigators to use SNPRC nonhuman primate resources in highly focused, short-term studies with a high likelihood of enhancing the value, utility, feasibility, and attractiveness of nonhuman primates for biomedical research. High priority will be given to studies that propose to generate preliminary data for applications to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for support of future research projects. Those proposing to develop new nonhuman primate models of disease, or develop and/or test new research methods, instrumentation, or approaches for biomedical research using nonhuman primates, also will be considered responsive to the goals of the program.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Eligibility

Investigators at the Staff Scientist (Research Assistant Professor) through Full Scientist (Full Professor) or equivalent positions at institutions meeting the requirements to apply for, receive, and administer grants in aid of research from the NIH are eligible to apply.

Sponsors

Any applicant who is not an SNPRC Core Scientist must be sponsored by an SNPRC Core Scientist. The Sponsor will be an aid in guiding the applicant through SNPRC administrative processes. The participation of a SNPRC Core Scientist in pilot studies funded by this program is an NIH mandate.

Supported Activities/Allowable Uses of Pilot Research Program Funds

  • For the 2025 competition, the proposed research activities may use any of our supported species: marmosets, rhesus macaques, or baboons. However, due to limited animal availability, preferential consideration will be given to applications focused on baboons, or non-terminal rhesus/marmoset studies that can utilize non-naive animals.
  • In addition to preferential consideration for species, proposals that emphasize topics that relate to Comparative Medicine & Health Outcomes are also being encouraged in the 2025 competition.
  • Pilot research funds may not be used to provide support for projects currently or previously funded by other sources.
  • Funds awarded in support of pilot research must be used to cover SNPRC costs:
    • Animals and animal care costs (including per diem)
    • Animal research procedures conducted by SNPRC personnel
    • SNPRC Laboratory Cores (Pathology, Imaging or Integrative Biology Core) https://snprc.org/laboratory-core/
  • Funds awarded in support of pilot research may not be used to cover costs of supporting laboratory personnel, supplies, or work carried out at off-site locations.
  • If the project anticipates the use of the SNPRC Research Imaging Core, the applicant must consult with the Core’ lead, Dr. Kimberley Phillips () prior to submitting a Letter of Intent to ensure that the proposed activities can be conducted by the Core and the applicant understands any additional imaging expenses associated with the project that would not be covered by the Pilot Grant.
  • Proposal budgets will be capped at $100,000.
  • Funding for awarded studies will initiate May 1, 2025 and expire on April 30, 2026. There is no option for no-cost extensions or carry-forward.

The steps in submitting a SNPRC Pilot Grant Application are described below:

  1. Complete and Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)

The PI/Applicant must submit a brief letter notifying the Coordinator of the SNPRC Pilot Research Program of their interest in submitting an application for review at the next deadline. The LOIs will be reviewed by the SNPRC Leadership Group (SLG). Following that review, applicants will be notified as to whether they are invited to submit a full application.

Required information:

    • Descriptive working title for the planned proposal.
    • Names, degrees, ranks, and institutional affiliations of the PI/applicant and collaborators (if applicable).
    • A project abstract of no more than 800 words that states the objective, animal model and significance of the intended pilot research, and includes a brief description of the tentative research plan.

Letters of Intent should be sent as PDF files attached to an e-mail addressed to the SNPRC Assistant Director of Research, Dr. Angélica Olmo-Fontánez (), and the Pilot Program Coordinator Mrs. Helen Hawn ().

  1. Veterinary Resources Request Form

The PI/Applicant must complete and submit a Veterinary Resources Request Form to obtain a budget estimate. In the VS form include a detailed experimental design and timeline. Please specify that this form is related to an SNPRC Pilot Study submission. An SNPRC Research Coordinator will contact you for any budgeting questions.

  1. Full Application (6-page maximum)

Submission Components

    • Title and Specific Aims (1/2 page)
    • Significance and Innovation (up to 1 page)
    • Approach (up to 3 pages)
    • References cited (No page limit)
    • SNPRC Budget (No page limit) An official copy of the SNPRC budget should be included.
    • Summary budget and justification (1 page).
    • Biosketches for PI and Key Personnel (NIH format; not included in page limit)

Full applications should be sent as PDF files attached to an e-mail addressed to the SNPRC Assistant Director of Research, Dr. Angélica Olmo-Fontánez (), and the Pilot Program Coordinator Mrs. Helen Hawn ().

  1. Review Process
  • LOIs will be reviewed and prioritized by the SLG, with the most meritorious invited to submit full proposals.
  • Full proposals will be reviewed by the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) and by additional ad hoc reviewers as necessary to assure appropriate scientific expertise.
  • Each proposal will receive a score assigned by each reviewer, and mean scores will be calculated for each application.
  • Final funding decisions will be made by SNPRC Director.
  1. Awardee Responsibilities
  • Funds are restricted to supporting the research project as described in the application submitted and as approved by the RAC.
  • IACUC approval (if needed) is required prior to the release of funds.
  • Submit reports describing project accomplishments when requested for P51 core grant annual progress reports and 5-year renewal. SNPRC is evaluated by the NIH on the effectiveness of the Pilot Program in stimulating new research findings and publications.
  • Important metrics for the success of Pilot Projects include new funding, publications, licenses, and patents. SNPRC may approach investigators for additional details or to present data related to the progress and success of Pilot Projects. Awardees are expected to submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed, scientific journal and/or submit a grant application to one or more external agencies as part of the successful execution of the pilot project.
  • Future, funded nonhuman primate research stemming from awarded pilot funding is expected to be performed at SNPRC when possible.
  • The following support acknowledgment must be included on all publications that result from SNPRC support (funding and/or infrastructure services): “This publication was made possible with Pilot Program support from the Southwest National Primate Research Center grant P51 OD011133 from the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, National Institutes of Health. Research reported in this publication was supported by the Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers S10OD028732 and S10OD032443. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.”
  1. Further Information