- Beginning in 2026, the COBRE Center for Microbiome Sciences will launch a competitive Pilot Project Program to support emerging microbiome investigators across the UPR system. Each Pilot Project will be funded for two years at $50,000 per year.
- Request for Proposals (RFP): A Request for Proposals will be released in February 2026 and distributed widely through Research Deans at all UPR campuses, partner organizations, websites, and social media networks.
- Full applications will follow the NIH R03/R21 format, with a submission deadline of April 10, 2026.
- Eligibility Applicants must meet NIH criteria for: Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs); New Investigators (NIs); Mid-career applicats will be considered for competitive projects with preliminary data
- Additional requirements: Must hold a faculty appointment at a UPR campus; Cannot receive concurrent research support from another IDeA award
- Must clearly demonstrate how microbiome research will be integrated into the proposed project
Application Components:
1-Cover Letter demonstrating, research career stage, history of funding and plans for external funding after pilot award
2-Confirmation of NIH and institutional eligibility by the School
3-Explanation of how microbiome research will be incorporated
4-Three potential external reviewers (names , research emphasis and email addresses)
5-NIH R03/R21-formatted proposal and page limits https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application/how-to-apply-application-guide/page-limits
Research Strategy: 6 pages
Project Summary/Abstract: 30 lines
Project narrative: three sentences
Biographical Sketch: 5 pages
Specific Aims: 1 page
Review Process: Proposals will be evaluated by external reviewers using standard NIH review criteria:
- Significance
- Innovation
- Investigator Preparation
- Approach
- Environment
Check this link for further information on review criteria: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/review-criteria
