SCTR's Translational Entrepreneurship Pilot Grant

SCTR's Translational Entrepreneurship Pilot Grant is sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina. Advances innovative, multidisciplinary research bridging scientific discovery and practical application in healthcare and biomedical fields.

Pilot Funding | MUSC Research South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute SCTR’s pilot grant program facilitates and supports new and innovative research. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary, high-impact clinical and translational science. This work addresses medical and behavioral topics that are critical to improving health outcomes and quality of life in South Carolina.

Our pilot mechanisms support innovation and foster the development of new research collaborations. To support the development of new science, SCTR also hosts annual scientific retreats focused on research areas important to South Carolina and facilitates an external grant review program to support the development of responsive extramural applications.

Pilot Mechanisms arrow_forward Program By the Numbers arrow_forward Program Contact arrow_forward Program Impact arrow_forward Program News arrow_forward Scientific Grant Review arrow_forward Scientific Retreats arrow_forward Learn more about SCTR's pilot funding mechanisms now accepting applications. The Discovery Pilot Grant supports translational research projects. Apply now through October 9, 2026 .

SCTR Translational Entrepreneurship Pilot Supporting innovative interdisciplinary pilot projects, and accepting applications on a rolling basis . Translational Science Challenge Advancing translational science through SCTR's Translational Science Challenge Grant. Concept proposals due October 9, 2026 .

SCTR Pilot Program in the News AI to take center stage at scientific retreat MUSC’s SCTR Institute will host a fall scientific retreat on September 25, focusing on AI’s ever-expanding role in healthcare. 2026 SCTR Scientific Retreat Get to know SCTR’s Discovery Grant awardees Six new SCTR Discovery Pilot Grant recipients are pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Learn more about their projects and the investigators behind the groundbreaking work. SCTR Discovery Grant Awardees New Translational Science Challenge Awardees SCTR’s Translational Science Challenge awardees are tackling research barriers to help turn scientific discoveries more efficiently into real-world health impact.

Meet 2026 2027 SCTR Translational Science Challenge Awardees Teaching the immune system a new trick could one day level the organ transplant playing field. An RNA:DNA “sandwich” plays a key role in behavioral adaptations arising from emotional experiences. Researchers gathered at MUSC to explore advances in cell therapy, immunotherapy and regenerative medicine at the SCTR Scientific Retreat.

Cell therapies in the spotlight at the 2026 SCTR Scientific Retreat Learn more about each of the pilot grant mechanisms funded by SCTR. SCTR Translational Entrepreneurship Translational Science Challenge SCTR Translational Entrepreneurship Translational Science Challenge Discovery pilots support translational research projects that use basic science, clinical, and/or community and population health approaches.

These projects focus on collecting critical preliminary data to support extramural grant applications and on publishing, disseminating, or implementing research findings. We encourage applications to this mechanism from across the MUSC Enterprise, including Charleston and the Regional Health Network. Up to $25,000 direct costs for a 12-month period from the issue date of the Notice of Award.

Recommendation for Funding Notification It is strongly recommended that all applicants obtain a biostatistical consultation with Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) . Request a consultation via SPARCRequest .

Discovery Applications must include the following: Research Strategy (3 pages) Literature Cited (if applicable) Early Stage Investigator (ESI) requirements (if applicable) Detailed Budget & Budget Justification Progress Report (if applicable) InfoReady Application Portal The SCTR Translational Entrepreneurship Pilot (STEP) Grant supports innovative interdisciplinary pilot projects that propose substantial development of intellectual property (IP) and/or commercialization opportunities.

STEP Grant Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Up to $10,000 direct costs for a 12-month period from the issue date of the Notice of Award. All applicants are strongly recommended to obtain a biostatistical consultation with Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) .

Request a consultation via SPARCRequest . State the goals of the proposed research concisely. Summarize the expected outcomes, including the impact the results will have on the relevant research field or fields.

Also describe how the research will lead to the substantial development of intellectual property and/or commercialization opportunities.

List succinctly the specific objectives of the research proposed (e.g., to test a stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology), translational potential of the proposed research, and potential impact as applicable.

SCTR-specific instructions: Describe each team member’s role, how the project will stimulate new and interdisciplinary collaborations that would otherwise might not have taken place, plans/potential to secure future extramural grant funding including funding agency and mechanism (R, P, U, or any other). Learn more about specific aims on the NIH website .

Research Strategy (3 pages) Investigators are also required to include a “Path to Commercialization” section outlining entrepreneurial plans that will stem from the research. Plans may include start-up company formation, SBIR/STTR grant submissions, industry partnering and licensing, or other strategies for translation through commercialization. Learn more about research strategy on the NIH website .

Literature Cited (if applicable) Literature cited does not count toward page count limits. Learn more about literature cited on the NIH website . Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Requirements Please see FAQs for more information on these requirements.

Timelines should be in table format. Detail your plan for extramural grant applications, publication, dissemination, and/or implementation of findings. Submit biosketches for all investigators and mentors.

Combine all biosketches into one PDF in order of the listed project team members, with the PI’s biosketch listed first. • For non-academic or community investigators, a CV/resume is sufficient. • For a consultant, include the name of the individual and their role in the research proposal.

Biosketches are not required for consultants. Detailed Budget & Budget Justification Submit a budget in PHS 398 format . Include a budget justification .

Progress Report (if applicable) PIs with prior SCTR awards are required to submit a progress report on their project.

State of Record of Innovation (ROI) (recommended when appropriate) Statement indicating if a ROI has been submitted to the MUSC Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization InfoReady Application Portal Translational science as a field generates scientific and operational innovations that overcome longstanding challenges along the translational research pipeline, incorporating Translational Science Principles and transforming the way research is done, making it faster, more innovative, and more impactful.

The Translational Science Challenge (TSC) RFA invites pilot proposals with potential to significantly advance translational science and catalyze downstream impacts in translational research efficiency and quality. Using Translational Science Principles and working in interdisciplinary teams they are transforming the way research is done, making it faster, more innovative, and more impactful.

$25,000 for one year, direct costs 1-page Concept Proposals Due (by 5:00 pm) Recommendation for Funding Notification Preparing Your Concept Proposal SCTR leadership will select concepts for invitation to submit full applications and will work collaboratively with applicants to ensure alignment with Translational Science Principles.

Please include the following in your concept proposal: 1-page Specific Aims, including an Impact Statement (250 characters) All concept proposals must be submitted via InfoReady . A SPARCRequest ID (SRID) is required to submit your concept proposal.

Leadership will recommend SCTR Service consultations (e.g., community engagement, statistical/study design, data source assessment, dissemination and/or implementation science, as indicated) before full application submission. Register for a drop-in session ahead of the concept proposal deadline to discuss your project/refine your idea with Pilot Program leadership. Schedule a 15-30 minute session by emailing Sydney Bollinger .

Session times to be announced in Summer 2026. Preparing Your Full Application All applicants are required to obtain a biostatistical consultation with Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) . Request a consultation via SPARCRequest .

Concisely state the goals of the proposed research and summarize expected outcomes, including potential impacts of proposed research. Succinctly list the specific objectives of proposed research, translational potential of the proposed research, and potential impact, as applicable.

Additionally, please provide information on each team member’s role, how the project will stimulate new and interdisciplinary collaborations, and plans/potential to secure future extramural grant funding, including the funding agency and mechanism. Learn more about Specific Aims .

Research Strategy (6 pages) Investigators applying to the Translational Science Challenge (TSC) are allowed up to 6 pages for their Research Strategy and Impact Statement. Learn more about Research Strategy . Literature Cited (if applicable) Literature cited does not count toward page limits.

Learn more about Literature Cited . Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Requirements The following are required for PIs meeting NIH ESI criteria : Qualified senior co-investigator as mentor must be identified. Include the mentor’s name, biosketch, and support letter with the application submission.

Strong mentorship plan , including details of ESI/mentor interactions, frequency of meetings, timetable and plan for achieving research independence, additional resources, etc. Potential of the project to lead to independent funding with a plan to submit a K-series or R-series application. Support letters do not count toward application page limit.

Detail your plan for extramural grant applications, publication, dissemination, and/or implementation of findings. Timelines should be in table format. Submit biosketches for all investigators and mentors.

Combine all biosketches into one PDF in order of the listed project team members, with the PI’s biosketch listed first. For non-academic or community investigators, a CV/resume is sufficient. For a consultant, include the name of the individual and their role in the research proposal.

Biosketches are not required for consultants. Detailed Budget & Budget Justification Submit a budget in the PHS 398 format . Include a budget justification .

Data Management & Sharing Plan Because the Translational Science Challenge awards are funded through NCATS, all Translational Science Challenge projects must be compliant with SCTR’s Data Management and Sharing Plan. Scientific data generated through your Translational Science Challenge award will need to be shared and managed in accordance with NIH policies.

Visit the NIH website for more information on writing a data management & sharing plan . The DMP Tool is accessible with an MUSC email address. PIs with prior SCTR awards are required to submit a progress report on their project.

InfoReady Application Portal Additional Information and FAQs For additional information and support, reach out to SCTR’s Office of Science Development . How do I apply for a SCTR Pilot Grant? All applications will be submitted online using the InfoReady application portal .

Complete and submit the application through InfoReady, uploading all required documents where indicated. Reach out to Sydney Bollinger (bollinger@musc. edu) for questions regarding the InfoReady submission portal.

For detailed application instructions, please review the funding opportunity RFA and the application requirements below. What are the eligibility requirements?

Eligibility Requirements: The following individuals are eligible to serve as PI for a SCTR Discovery Grant: Compensated full and part-time faculty and properly credentialed clinicians employed by an MUSC Health facility Faculty from other institutions are encouraged to partner with MUSC faculty on collaborative applications Students, trainees, and faculty members may serve as co-Investigators The investigative team must represent interdisciplinary collaboration PIs can have only one active grant award from SCTR at any given time Early Stage investigators (ESIs) and investigators from MUSC RHN sites are encouraged to submit applications.

Can a post-doctoral scholar serve as PI on a SCTR Pilot Grant? Post-doctoral scholars are not able to serve as PI on SCTR Pilot Grants. However, post-docs are welcome to serve as a co-I on a SCTR Pilot Award.

Do SCTR Grants require collaboration? SCTR Pilot Grant opportunities require interdisciplinary team collaboration. Existing investigator teams may submit new and innovative project ideas.

The proposed research must represent a clearly distinct and novel direction compared with the principal investigator’s and research team’s past and current work. Existing teams must also meet the interdisciplinary requirement. What additional information to Early-Stage Investigators need to include with their application?

The following are only required for PIs meeting NIH ESI criteria .

Qualified senior co-investigator(s) as mentor(s) must be identified and include the mentor(s) name, biosketch and support letter(s)* on the application Strong mentorship plan - include details of ESI/mentor interactions, frequency of meetings, timetable and plan for achieving research independence, additional resources etc. Potential of the project to lead to independent funding with a plan to submit a K-series or R-series application *Support letters do not count toward the page limit of the application.

How should I format my biosketch? In 2026, we are accepting both the old NIH format and the new common form (SciEnCV) for biosketches. What format should I use for my budget?

Submit budgets for all SCTR Pilot Grants in the PHS 398 format . What do I need to include in the progress report for my application? Progress Reports are required for all PIs with prior SCTR awards, including Discovery, High Innovation High Reward (HIHR), SCTR Translational Entrepreneurship Pilot (STEP), Team Science Pilot, Telehealth Pilot, CES-P, and SCTR K12/COM K12.

Include the following components: Brief report on study progress (no more than 3 pages), detailing specific aims and findings/results of each objective, summary of results, and project conclusions Description of any scientific products originating from your award, including peer-reviewed applications, extramural funding awards, and intellectual property/details of technology transfer What are allowable and unallowable costs for SCTR Pilot Grants?

Faculty Salary Support. Faculty members’ effort, related to the proposed pilot project, must be clearly listed in the budget. Support of faculty salary and fringe benefits is allowed up to 5% effort for each faculty member subject to the NIH salary cap.

Personnel salary requests and all other budget item requests should be clearly justified and appropriate to conduct the proposed research properly. Effort Reporting. SCTR Pilot Projects (excluding Translational Science Challenge) are funded by MUSC institutional funds.

For institutional compliance purposes, it is the PI’s responsibility to ensure all listed faculty effort complies with institutional effort policy. Investigators are not required to accommodate their effort on the pilot project budget. However, they have to be in compliance with their respective institution’s effort policies should they chose to charge the effort to other funding sources.

Other Personnel Support. Salary and fringe benefits are allowed for technical support, such as Research Fellows, Research Assistants/Coordinators, Research Nurses, etc. Non-personnel Research Expenses.

Allowable expenses include: supplies, equipment (under limited circumstances), animal purchase cost and care, study subject compensation, study subject transportation costs, in- and out-patient care costs, and statistical and computational services. All expenses must be directly related to the proposed research. Subawards.

Indicate potential subaward(s) to other institutions clearly on the budget. No signed documents from subaward institutions are required at the time of application submission. The SCTR Finance Office can assist PIs and their business managers to establish subawards once an application is approved for funding.

Students. SCTR pilot project funds cannot be used to cover student tuition, fees, or health insurance costs, either directly or indirectly as a stipend. If an application proposes a graduate student as a research assistant, provide justification as to why the student is included in the project and how work on the pilot project relates to the student’s thesis/dissertation research project.

Proposed student(s) – undergraduate and graduate – must be identified on the application by first and last name. TBN/TBD is not allowed. Ancillary Personnel.

Salary support for ancillary personnel such as Mentors and Administrative assistants is not allowed. General office supplies and equipment, including computers and laptops (unless specifically requested and justified), membership dues and fees, travel costs to conferences/meetings, publication and subscription costs, mailing costs, and rent. Facilities & Administrative (Overhead/Indirect) Costs.

How do I obtain a SPARC ID? All SCTR Pilot Applications require a SPARC ID for submission. Follow the instructions below to obtain a SPARC ID for your application: Select ‘South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR)’ from the menu on the left Select ‘+’ to add the service to your cart Answer ‘Is this a new request?

’ with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ Select ‘Save and Continue’ Select ‘Start a New Study’ Complete all of the required fields and click ‘Save’ Select ‘Pending Funding’ for ‘Proposal Funding Status’ question Answer ‘Potential Funding Source’ For Discovery and STEP Pilots, choose ‘Internal Funded Pilot Project’ Indicate ‘SCTR’ as the Sponsor Name For Translational Science Challenge Pilots, choose ‘Federal’ Indicate ‘NCATS/SCTR’ as the Sponsor Name Select ‘Save’ Add estimated ‘Start Date’ and ‘End Date’ fields Click ‘Save and Continue’ Review your request and click ‘Submit Request’ Add your SPARC ID to your InfoReady application (‘Request-ID’ without -0001) How to Add a Funding Opportunity in SPARC How do I add a funding opportunity to my existing SPARC ID (SRID)?

Follow the instructions below to add a funding opportunity to an existing SPARC ID: Select the appropriate Protocol ID from the list on your dashboard Click ‘Add/Modify Request’ In ‘Browse Service Catalog’ choose ‘South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR)’ Select appropriate funding mechanism Choose ‘No’ on ‘New or Existing’ popup Add the SPARC ID to your InfoReady application SCTR Pilot Program By the Numbers Program Impact: July 2020 - June 2025 projects used a newly formed study collaboration projects focused on a South Carolina priority health area It literally opened the door and helped built a solid foundation for our current multidisciplinary translational team research with the participation of many co-investigators across different departments at MUSC.

SCTR Pilot Program Grant Awardees View details for the most recent year of completed grants. For an extensive list of SCTR pilot program awards for all pilot mechanisms, reach out to SCTR’s Office of Science Development . The Effects of Estradiol on Inflammation in Dermal Fibrosis DeAnna Baker Frost, M.

D. , Ph. D.

Medical University of South Carolina The Role of Serine Proteases in Nephrotic Syndrome Milos Budisavljevic, M. D.

Medical University of South Carolina Development of a Novel Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Informed Electronic Medical Record Based Risk Prediction Algorithm for Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism Medical University of South Carolina Outcomes of a Large-Scale Hearing Screening Program at the Medical University of South Carolina Department of Otolaryngology Medical University of South Carolina Does CYP2E1 Promote Gut GABA Signaling and Mucus-Mediated Protection from Salmonella Infection?

Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Medical University of South Carolina Home Health and Speech-Language Pathology Service Latency as a Modifiable Determinant of Outcomes in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Janet Horn, Ph. D.

, CCC-SLP Department of Health Sciences & Research College of Health Professions Medical University of South Carolina Integrating Corticospinal Tract Assessment via sTMS and taVNS-Augmented CIMT in Infants with Hemiplegia Medical University of South Carolina Development and Validation a Novel Method for Defining Neurogenic Hypertension in Mice Medical University of South Carolina TMS-iEEG Causal Mapping of Cognitive-Emotional Network Dynamics in Epilepsy Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Medical University of South Carolina Cholinergic Control of Goal-Directed Behaviors in Lateral Septum in Prader-Willi Syndrome Mouse Model Estefania Pereira Cardoso Azevedo, Ph.

D.

Department of Neuroscience Medical University of South Carolina Regulation of IL6 by acetylation of KLF4 and histones Medical University of South Carolina Diagnostic Assessment and Natural History of Intercostal Nerve Injury Following Rib Fracture Department of Orthopaedics Medical University of South Carolina Leveraging Multi-omics to Gain New Insights about the Association of Hemostasis Plasma Biomarkers with Atherothrombotic Outcomes Department of Hematology and Oncology Medical University of South Carolina High Innovation High Reward Pilot Awards SoniNav: Real-Time Intravascular Modeling with Ultrasound Derived Data for Use in Endovascular Surgery Ravikumar Veeraswamy, M.

D.

Medical University of South Carolina Creation and Distribution of Bidirectional Vascular Access Sheath Medical University of South Carolina Translational Science Challenge Pilot Awards Systematic Review Automation with Large Language Models Department of Research & Education Services Medical University of South Carolina Improved Measurement Development through the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Qualitative Research Methods Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Services Medical University of South Carolina Enhancing Sustainability of a Behavioral Health Intervention after Pediatric Injury Using AI Medical University of South Carolina Effects of Participant Recruitment Strategies on Clinical Trial Enrollment Efficiency Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Services Medical University of South Carolina Each year, SCTR facilitates collaboration across traditional disciplinary and institutional lines by sponsoring statewide, thematic-based retreats for basic, clinical, and population scientists, and community practitioners at all career stages.

Retreats focus on the development of translational science and topics address health conditions of importance to South Carolina. These retreats are attended by investigators, clinicians, and community members from across the state.

Artificial Intelligence in Clinical and Translational Science Research On Friday, September 25, 2026 , the SCTR Institute and the MUSC Center for Artificial Intelligence co-sponsored the AI in Clinical & Translational Science Research scientific retreat.

The retreat brought together investigators, clinicians, data scientists, students, research staff, administrators, and patients from across South Carolina to discuss innovations in how to use artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and advanced analytics to accelerate clinical and translational research and address translational science bottlenecks. Lucila Ohno-Machado, M. D.

, MBA, Ph. D. Waldemar von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Informatics and Data Science Deputy Dean for Biomedical Informatics Chair, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science SCTR offers assistance to MUSC investigators who are submitting extramural grant applications with the goal to increase the quality of the application and funding success.

Review requests must be submitted at a minimum of 6 weeks prior to MUSC ORSP’s extramural grant application due date. SCTR-supported External Review of Extramural Grant Applications is limited to MUSC Faculty submitting NIH R-series, K-series, and NSF applications. Requests for review should be submitted via SPARCRequest .

External Scientific Review Review additional information for the external scientific review of extramural grant applications. Scientific Grant Review Instructions Assist MUSC investigators submitting extramural grant applications, such as NIH K-series, R series, and NSF applications.

Increase the quality of extramural grant application submissions and chance of potential funding All applications must be sent to SCTR at least six weeks prior to the MUSC Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) deadline. Upon receipt of your application materials, SCTR will review the application and then send it to the external reviewer. Please allow two weeks for SCTR’s review.

SCTR is not liable if your application is not funded. How to prepare for your external scientific review Identify and reach out to 2-3 potential external reviewers and ensure at least one reviewer is willing to review the application in a 2-week timeframe.

Submit a SPARCRequest (Medical University of South Carolina > South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute > Scientific Review of Extramural Grant Application) After SCTR reviews your SPARCRequest, someone will reach out to you and request the following: Name, contact information, and biosketch (optional, but preferred) of external reviewer(s) willing to review the application within a 2-week timeframe.

Institutional affiliation(s) Link to funding agency’s FOA/RFA/NOFO (provide PDF if link is not available) Application and related materials, as required by the funding agency (send all as a single file) If the application is a resubmission, Summary Statement and Introduction toResubmission are required.

Research proposal, including Specific Aims and Research Strategy If the PI is an Early-Stage Investigator (ESI), submit required components for ESIs Literature citations Biosketches of all team members Funding agency’s FOA/RFA/NOFO If SCTR determines the application has major review critiques that must be addressed: SCTR will return the application to the applicant with comments Applicant will be asked to address the comments and send back the revised application within a week.

If the applicant does not agree with a review comment, please justify. SCTR will send the external review critique to the applicant SCTR will pay the external reviewer a $500 honorarium. The external reviewer will be required to fill out a W-9 and other necessary forms to receive the honorarium.

SCTR will request the outcome of grant application submission (feedback on external scientific review service, submission status, funding status) Helpful Resources for Proposal Development SPARCRequest Service Library MUSC Office of Research Development (ORD) MUSC Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) NIH online training modules on rigor and reproducibility Questions or requests for additional information can be sent to SCTR's Science Development Office - sctr-sdo@musc.

edu .