The primary mission of the RI-INBRE DRPP is to solicit proposals and award research grants to biomedical research to investigators at all RI-INBRE network institutions. We offer a variety of funding mechanisms primarily focused on supporting the research career development of early career investigators at the network institutions. We fund a very broad range of biomedical research projects that impact human health.

A key feature of our developmental funding mechanisms is a mentorship model that helps early career investigators establish a research program that meaningfully integrates student training, moves research projects from conception to publication, and become competitive for extramural funding. RI-INBRE investigators select an established faculty mentor who can provide scientific and career guidance during the award period and beyond. Mentors have scientific expertise that overlaps with the mentee’s research topic and provide expert guidance on scientific direction, manuscript development and publication, and grant development and submission.

Research Project recipients also participate in an annual mentoring meeting run by one of our External Mentoring Consultants, successful faculty members from PUI institutions outside RI. This provides an excellent opportunity to discuss progress and coordinate support of investigators as they develop their research program.

The RI-INBRE DRPP award mechanisms are designed to scaffold pathways to establishing a sustainable, independent research program.

NEW MID-YEAR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2025-26 BUDGET YEAR

Pilot Project – Proposal Development (PP-PD): The major goal of the Pilot Project – Proposal Development (PP-PD) funding mechanism is to provide support for biomedical investigators who are preparing to write or currently writing an independent, multi-year grant proposal. PP-PD awards should be used to support activities that will lead to the submission of a multi-year extramural grant application. This includes generating preliminary data on which future aims are based, completing peer-reviewed manuscripts related to a future grant application, or writing a grant proposal. Applicants may request up to $30,000 for the budget period November 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026. Funds may be used for equipment, supplies, infrastructure, and compensation for students and the investigator. Please consult the FOA (link) and use the Application Form (link)

Pilot Project – Data Science (PP-DSC): The primary goal of the RI-INBRE Pilot Project-Data Science (PP-DSC) funding mechanism is to stimulate the use of data science tools to perform biomedical research. Funds should be used to support data science approaches in individual research projects and/or support infrastructure investments that will benefit the research programs of multiple investigators. Priority will be given to proposals that generate and/or process data sets using big data tools and which demonstrate future promise of resulting in publications and/or competitive grant applications. Applicants may request up to $25,000 in direct costs. Funds must be used in the budget period November 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026. Funds may be used for equipment, supplies, infrastructure, and compensation for students and the investigator. Please consult the FOA (link) and use the Application Form (link).