Child Health Research Funding Opportunities

An MD/DO or PhD investigator who is a full-time CU faculty member with primary appointment in 1) the department of pediatrics or 2) of a child health related department or division, such as pediatric surgery, pediatric radiology, or child psychiatry, is eligible for a Research and Innovation Scholar Award.

1. The RISA is intended for early-stage faculty investigators (Instructor/Sr. Instructor or Assistant Professor) within the first five years of their initial faculty appointment. The faculty member’s research must be devoted to child health research, either basic, clinical, translational or health outcomes.
2. The applicant must identify a mentor who is committed to working with the investigator throughout the course of their project. A letter of support from the mentor must be included with the application.
3. If a Research Scholar Awardee has, or later obtains, additional research funding that includes salary support, then the RISA award may be prorated.
4. The RISA award is intended to be used to cover the proportion of the PI's salary/benefits needed to complete the proposed research (usually greater than 75%-time, 50% time for surgeons). However, if salary support is already covered for protected time by other funds, then using the RISA funds to support other aspects of the research will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
5. The applicant’s Department or Division/Section must commit to provide an additional $25,000 per year for research expenses (Letter of support required).
6. If 50% or more of salary is currently being funded from research-based sources, then the applicant is generally not eligible for the RISA (see #4 above). The proposal must include a detailed description of all Other Support.
7. An applicant who has received a significant start-up research package (exceeding $300,000) from Children’s Colorado or the University of Colorado is not eligible for the RISA. Salary support for the applicant does not count toward the $300,000 per year cut off.
8. The total RISA award is $100,000 direct costs per year for up to two years of funding. No indirect costs are allowed.
9. Funding cannot be used for tuition for postgraduate academic degrees or related programs.
10. A revised resubmitted application must include a one-page Introduction addressing the criticisms of the previous review.
11. Deadline for applications will be September 1 and March 1 of each year. Funding will begin either on the following January 1 or July 1, depending on which cycle the application is submitted. A progress report will be required before the end of first year funding demonstrating adequate progress before second year funding will be considered.

Progress reports are due to Claire.Brendel@childrenscolorado.org by either May 1 or November 1 - whichever is before your 1st year funding anniversary and 2nd year funding anniversary (if 2nd year is applicable).

Please visit the CU School of Medicine Bridge Funding for Grant Lapses website for detailed eligibility requirements, submission instructions, and access to the online application. 

Email Claire.Brendel@childrenscolorado.org with any questions.

An MD/DO or PhD investigator who is a full-time CU faculty member with primary appointment in 1) the department of pediatrics or 2) of a child health related department or division, such as pediatric surgery, pediatric radiology, or child psychiatry, is eligible for a Pilot Award.

1. Funding is specifically designated for acquiring preliminary data necessary for securing external research support. Proposals must clearly outline the project's long-term objectives.
2. These funds are not meant to supplement an existing line of research or to act as bridge funding.
3. The award does not cover expenses related to travel or support for the investigator's salary.
4. Funding cannot be used for tuition for postgraduate academic degrees or related programs.

Pilot Award progress reports are due to Claire.Brendel@childrenscolorado.org before your 1st year funding anniversary and 2nd year funding anniversary (if 2nd year is applicable).

To apply for this award, a Children's Hospital Colorado/University of Colorado Investigator must partner with a School of Mines Investigator and design a pilot project that will likely garner extramural support in the future, advance scientific knowledge applicable to child health, and strengthen the collaboration between our institutions. 

The amount awarded is $20,000 with half contributed by Colorado School of Mines and half contributed by Children's Hospital Colorado. The award lasts for one year with a possible one-year extension, pending a progress report and approval.

Please reach out to obtain the list of School of Mines Investigators by contacting Claire.Brendel@childrenscolorado.org.

• Award will support acquisition of preliminary data needed for obtaining extramural funding support. The long-term plan for the project must be clearly described in the proposal.
• No funding will be provided for travel or PI salary.
• Funding cannot be used for tuition for postgraduate academic degrees or related programs.

CHCO/School of Mines Collaboration Pilot Award progress reports are due to Claire.Brendel@childrenscolorado.org before your 1st year funding anniversary and 2nd year funding anniversary (if 2nd year is applicable).