Duke Improving Clinical and Translational Science (IMPaCTS) Challenge: General Pilot Awards (2025 – 2027)

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The Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) catalyzes science that improves health—for individuals and communities—in our region and across the nation. The institute invites proposals for innovative pilot projects that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of translational research and accelerate the advancement of scientific discoveries into practice to improve health and reduce disease burden. This funding opportunity is made possible through support from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences’ (NCATS) Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). 

Purpose  

Translational research—the process of turning basic scientific discoveries into real-world health solutions—is inherently complex, time-intensive, and costly. It often takes many years and significant financial investment to bring a new treatment from initial discovery through preclinical and clinical testing to implementation in medical practice. The regulatory requirements, scientific uncertainty, and coordination across multiple disciplines all contribute to high rates of failure and inefficiency throughout this process. 

Projects supported through this funding mechanism will develop generalizable solutions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational research process. The focus is on addressing common causes of inefficiency and failure across the translational research spectrum (basic science, preclinical testing, clinical research in humans, implementation into medical practice, policy, and population health impact). Since these challenges are shared across diseases and populations, solutions developed under this mechanism are expected to have broad relevance and impact. We encourage projects that: (1) explore innovative new directions; (2) employ interdisciplinary approaches, and/or (3) establish proof of concept. This funding supports developmental, exploratory, and pilot studies. Research projects that pilot the implementation of existing, proven strategies for improving clinical and translational research are also encouraged. The funding program is not intended for large-scale projects suited for traditional grant mechanisms. 

Methodologies 

To address research questions, we welcome diverse methodologies, including but not limited to, qualitative, evaluation, education, marketing and communication research, surveys, stated-preference methods (e.g., discrete choice experiments), user-centered design, systems engineering, implementation and dissemination science, artificial intelligence/machine learning approaches, and community-engaged approaches. Applications proposing new processes, guidelines, technologies, tools, programs, or infrastructure must include empirical approaches to inform, test, and evaluate their development.  

Leveraging Existing Data, Research, and Resources 

We encourage the use of existing Duke data sources including but not limited to: Study-level data (participant flow, retention patterns); Administrative data (OnCore); Survey data (Duke Health Listens, Project ENTRUST); and Electronic health records. In addition, applicants are encouraged to use validated approaches for measuring participant experience (e.g., Research Participant Perceptions Survey; Kost et al 2025). Also, teams may leverage existing research programs. For instance, participants in an existing study could be recruited to participate in an add-on qualitative or survey study. At the same time, pilot funds may not be commingled with existing research funding. Please consult CTSI accelerator staff regarding allowable costs. Applicants who plan to request administrative or operational data should consult with the Duke Office of Clinical Research (DOCR) prior to submission. DOCR can provide guidance to ensure the requested data elements meet project needs, confirm data availability, and prepare an appropriate cost estimate or quote for data retrieval. To request DOCR Services, complete the Request Form or email docr.help@duke.edu. Finally, applications that make use of existing Duke CTSI resources (https://ctsi.duke.edu/) are encouraged. 

Generalizability 

Projects may focus on a specific disease state, patient population, or intervention, but must provide generalizable innovations or insights that can be applied to other disease states.  For example, an application testing strategies for return-of-results to participants in smoking cessation clinical trials, must 1) make clear how results apply to other patient populations and 2) include plans to disseminate results and research projects (e.g., toolkits, templates, etc.) in ways that promote broader use. 

Examples of Responsive Research 

Example topic areas are listed below; detailed examples can be found under Additional Resources. 

  • Research Process Efficiency: Projects improving regulatory workflows, study operations, or other systemic bottlenecks to enhance research quality and timeliness. 
  • Data Science & Technology Integration: Use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, or data interoperability tools to advance translational research capacity. 
  • Mechanistic & Translational Science: Research that develops, validates, and/or implements novel tools, methods, and techniques for elucidating biological or behavioral mechanisms with clear and generalizable applications in clinical and translational research. 
  • Innovative Trial Design & Digital Health: Development and/or evaluation of adaptive or platform trials, or technology-enabled strategies that improve participant engagement and trial efficiency. 
  • Implementation & Translation to Practice: Research on approaches for accelerating the application of findings into real-world settings through evidence-to-practice frameworks and stakeholder engagement. 
  • Team Science & Collaboration: Projects enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration or building infrastructure for multi-institutional research. 
  • Workforce Development: Projects that develop and evaluate novel training and education programs that improve researcher skills in clinical and translational research.  

Projects may use a specific case example, but outcomes must be generalizable beyond that context. The emphasis is on creating broadly useful innovations that improve efficiency, reproducibility, and impact of translational research.  

Funding  

  • The program will award up to eight (8) awards per funding cycle. 
  • Each award will provide $25,000 to $50,000 in direct costs only.  
  • Cost sharing is not allowed. Pilot projects must be fully supported only with NIH funds awarded through the CTSA program (no other funding sources may be used to support these projects). 
  • Funds may not directly support any clinical trials beyond Phase IIB except for Phase III clinical trials for treatment of rare diseases.  
  • All salary requests are subject to the current NIH-mandated annual salary cap. 
  • Project must be completed within the specified funding cycle.   
  • Requests for a no-cost extension will not be approved. 
  • This award does not need to be routed through the Office of Research Administration (ORA).  However, we require you to include your grants team in the preparation of this proposal budget. 

Please note that for this award, NIH has notified us of the following: “NIH funds may not be used to support activities that are outside the revised scope of the award, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) research programs, vaccine hesitancy, health equity, COVID-19 (other than long COVID) research or related research training activities or programs. Any funds used to support activities outside the scope will result in a disallowance of costs, and funds will be recovered. This study is funded by the NIH and accordingly only biological sex is being collected and reported in research to align with agency directives.”  

Eligibility 

  • Application is open to investigators from Duke University and partner organizations (North Carolina Central University, Durham Tech, and Lincoln Community Health Center, or other). 
  • Proposals must have a Duke PI or co-PI. 
  • Multiple PI (MPI) proposals must include a Duke PI or co-PI on the application. 
  • Applicants must have a principal investigator status per their organization policy. View Duke’s written policy. For questions regarding eligibility, contact Eman Ghanem (ctsifunding@duke.edu).  
  • Inter-institutional collaborations are strongly encouraged, with the understanding that both PIs will share equal responsibility for the conduct and direction of the project. 
  • More than one proposal may be submitted with an applicant acting as PI or co-PI, but the applicant is eligible to receive only one award as PI or co-PI during a given funding cycle.  

Key Dates  

The program is accepting applications for two 12-month funding cycles; applicants may select their preferred cycle on the application form. Please refer to the specific dates below. 

Event Date
Release Date: November 5, 2025
Virtual Information Session (Register Here) November 13, 2025, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Mandatory LOI Deadline: December 5, 2025
Optional Consultations:* November 3, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Full Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
Anticipated Award Notification: March 2026
Run-in Period for NCATS Prior-approval:‡ March – April, 2026
2025 – 2026 Anticipated Start Date: April 1, 2026
2026 – 2027 Anticipated Start Date: August 1, 2026

*Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the Pilot Program Team prior to submitting a full proposal to ensure optimal responsiveness to the RFA.  

‡Funding start date depends on securing required NCATS prior approval for projects involving human subjects or animal research. 

RFA and Application Instructions 

Duke CTSI uses the MyResearchProposal (MRP) online application portal to submit LOIs and full applications. 

  • To apply visit https://duke.is/DukeMRP, click on “Create New User” (or log in if you already have an account).  Proposals must be submitted under the Principal Investigator’s name. 
  • A step-by-step user’s guide for applying via the MyResearchProposal software is available under “Additional Resources” below.  
  • Enter Access Code ‘CTSI,’ then select “Duke IMPaCTS Challenge: General Pilot Awards (2025-2027) 

Read the Full Request for Applications (RFA) and Application Instructions  

Additional Resources  

Contact Information 

For additional information on this funding opportunity please submit a Consultation Request or contact Duke CTSI at CTSIfunding@duke.edu.