2023 Pilot Project Program RFA

The University of Illinois Cancer Center Pilot Project Program offers funding for projects proposed by its members to encourage new collaborative cancer research projects.

For consideration for this Request for Application (RFA), pilot projects submitted are required to be focused on project development for a new multi-PI grant submission to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The purpose of these pilot project grants is to stimulate NEW inter-programmatic research initiatives that lead to competitive grant applications to external peer-reviewed funding organizations, specifically organizations on the NCI peer review list.

Most highly desirable topics for the 2023 RFA include:

  • Cancer health disparities focused research
  • Projects relevant to the Cancer Center catchment area. For data/information related to the catchment area, please email Margaret Wright, PhD, at [email protected].
  • Intersection of microbiome and cancer (including, but not limited to food insecurity, nutrition, diet, impact on immunotherapy, etc.)
  • Liver disease/hepatocellular cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Women’s cancers

    Submission Deadline:

    All interested investigators are required to follow a two-step process and submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) prior to submission of the Full Application. Applications that fit the purpose of this program will be invited to submit a Full Application by the due date.

    STEP 1 – Letter of Intent (LOI) Due Monday, February 20, 2023

    STEP 2 – Full Application (by invitation) Due Monday, March 27, 2023

    Funding Limit:

    Up to $50,000 for a one-year period

    Eligibility Criteria:

    At least two PIs who are full or associate members of two different Cancer Center programs

    Please carefully review the RFA.


    For any questions, please contact Farah Mirza at [email protected]

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