EXITO Pilot Grant Program

Supporting independent investigators who mentor undergraduate students in biomedical research

The Enhancing Cross-disciplinary Innovation and Training for Opportunity (EXITO) Pilot Grant Program is designed to ignite research potential among AHS faculty and students while providing them with the critical tools and experience to secure future funding from federal agencies.

Offering a unique opportunity to design compelling research questions, craft competitive NIH applications and navigate the review process, this program empowers faculty to gather essential preliminary data and foster the next generation of researchers. By embedding students from historically underserved and underrepresented communities in research projects under the mentorship of underrepresented faculty, we strive to build a more inclusive and dynamic research community and, as a result – more equitable health care and social systems.

Projects may include feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing data, small, self-contained research projects, and projects to develop new research methodologies or technology.

Read the complete RFP

  • Award information

    Five non-renewable pilot grants of up to $50,000 per project for a maximum of one year from the date of award.

  • Eligibility

    Faculty with a terminal degree and a .50 FTE or greater appointment in AHS are eligible to apply.

  • Submission instructions

    Submissions via email only. Proposals should follow the NIH R03 grant application format and page limits.

  • Deadline

    October 21, 2024, 7 p.m. Central Time

Leslie Bienen Heading link

Coordinator, EXITO Pilot Grant Program