Pilot Project Program in Hemostasis and Vascular Biology (P3HVB)

Pilot Project Program in Hemostasis and Vascular Biology (P3HVB) is sponsored by University of Pittsburgh, Vascular Medicine Institute. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

P3HVB | Vascular Medicine Institute Pilot Project Program in Hemostasis and Vascular Biology (P3HVB) Pilot Project Program in Hemostasis and Vascular Biology (P3HVB) McKamish Family Foundation Cardiovascular Innovator Awards VMI Postdoctoral Scholar Award Cardiology Fellow Research Grants The VMI was established at the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 as a home for rigorous, cutting edge, basic and translational research in hemostasis, clotting disorders, red blood cell biophysics, transfusion medicine, cardiovascular biology, mitochondrial biology, and nitrite-nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species biochemistry in order to expand understanding of the control of blood flow to organ systems; with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapies for vascular pathologies.

The due date for the FY26 cycle is May 15, 2025 The VMI Pilot Project Program in Hemostasis and Vascular Biology (P3HVB) is intended to attract investigators new to the general areas of hemostasis and vascular biology by seeding innovative and translational research projects that have the potential to open new avenues for critical research and clinical care.

While the following areas of science will be prioritized, all applications should demonstrate clear relevance to the priorities of the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania which includes inherited disorders of coagulation (i.e. hemophilia, thrombophilia, von Willebrand disease, etc.) : Hemostasis and platelet biology, especially as focused on the integration of the roles of red cells, platelets, and hemostatic factors Small pilot clinical trials in above areas or vascular biology Please note that P3HVB mechanism does not support projects centered on sickle cell disease and must be relevant to inherited clotting disorders.

The program will support grants of $25,000 for one year duration. Applications for new projects may request up to $50,000 with appropriate justification. All University of Pittsburgh faculty members are eligible to apply as principal investigators.

Instructors, fellows, and postdoctoral researchers may also apply as principal investigators if they can demonstrate a track record of research success, if there is a research mentoring plan from a qualified faculty member at the rank of associate professor (not research track) or higher, and if there is a commitment from the faculty member in whose laboratory the instructor/fellow/postdoctoral researcher works that all necessary laboratory resources will be available for the proposed project (see below for relevant instructions).

Collaboration between VMI member and non-VMI member investigators is encouraged. For any given research group, only one award may be active at a given time.

That is, if there are several research faculty members working under the umbrella and mentorship of a given faculty member, only one award may be active for the entire group, independent of whether the principal investigator on the P3HVB award is the senior investigator or any of the research faculty members.

Collaborative efforts, bringing new researchers into the critical research areas described previously will be given additional priority and should be highlighted as part of the proposal. Translational research will be of the highest priority. Thus, it will be incumbent on an applicant to convince reviewers that the results of a laboratory-based program have the potential to be translated into clinical utility.

Applications from early-career investigators and those with a particularly strong need for funding will be prioritized.

Applications must include: Cover Page – name of faculty PIs, academic degrees, departments, contact information, budget period (not to exceed one year and to start four weeks after submission date at earliest), requested budget ( not to exceed $50K ) Proposal – Maximum of 2 pages (+ 1-page bibliography) narrative addressing research rationale , aims/hypotheses, basic approach, expected results and plan for extramural funding.

The proposal should also include a description of the relevance of the project to inherited disorders of coagulation . Budget – one-page budget describing distribution of funds.

Note: Money can be used to support staff and postdocs, but not faculty salaries Money cannot be used to buy major equipment Money can support only direct costs (no indirect costs) If the principal investigator is an instructor, fellow, or postdoctoral researcher, a letter of support from the research mentor that documents the relevant mentoring plan must be included.

If the research mentor is someone other than the faculty member in whose laboratory the applicant has a primary appointment, there must also be a letter from the faculty member with primary responsibility for the applicant that documents that all necessary resources for conducting the project are available to the applicant.

Demonstration of an appropriate mentoring plan and of the availability of necessary resources will be some of the criteria used in evaluating the application.

The primary review criteria are: The relevance to inherited disorders of clotting That the project is novel and innovative The inclusion of new investigators to the areas of interest, particularly red cells, platelets and hemostatic factors The potential to lead to more comprehensive studies The degree to which the project is translational The scientific feasibility and scientific merit of the project That the letter(s) of support for instructors, fellows, or postdoctoral researchers demonstrate(s) adequate commitment to the applicant and to the project.

Applications will undergo peer review by non-conflicted investigators from the University of Pittsburgh or UPMC. Recommendations made as a result of the peer review process will be forwarded to the internal advisory board of the VMI and then to the regional board of the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania for final selection of grants to be awarded.

Successful applicants will be expected to present their findings, both in written form and through presentation, to the VMI. Applications are to be submitted electronically, as a single PDF file, to Darleen Noah, Administrative Director for VMI at noahd@pitt. edu by 5:00 pm on the receipt date identified above.

No exceptions will be made to the receipt date. Within one week of the receipt date, each applicant should receive an e-mail message from Darleen Noah notifying him/her that his/her application has been received. If an applicant does not receive such notification, he/she should contact Darleen Noah.

Questions about the program should be directed to Sruti Shiva, PhD, Associate Director VMI, sss43@pitt. edu .