Summary: 

The Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine (KIPM) COBRE at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) provides participating investigators with research support, mentoring, and access to Core Services in a collegial and collaborative environment. This NIH Phase 2 COBRE program is led by Andrew K. Godwin, PhD (Director and Principal Investigator; primary contact), Steven A. Soper, PhD (Associate Director and multiple Principal Investigator), and Alan S. L. Yu, MB, B.Chir (Director of Mentoring and Career Development and multiple Principal Investigator).

The KIPM Phase 2 COBRE (https://www.kumc.edu/research/kansas-institute-for-precision-medicine-cobre.html) will provide investigators with funding for research activities, mentoring, and access to Core Laboratory Services. Up to two pilot projects are anticipated to be supported through the parent grant P20 GM130423-06), with up to $50,000 in total direct costs per project for one year of initial funding. The anticipated project start date is April 1, 2026.

Precision Medicine is an emerging approach to disease prevention and treatment that tailors healthcare to an individual’s unique environment, lifestyle, and molecular disease characteristics. The KIPM Pilot Project Program (PPP) is designed to support investigators in generating preliminary data for competitive extramural grant submissions, developing innovative technologies, and achieving other milestones that strengthen investigator development and institutional research capacity. For this funding cycle, applications will be accepted from junior faculty only, defined as NIH Early-Stage Investigators.

KIPM is the only research center dedicated to precision medicine in the state of Kansas and the surrounding region. It is distinctive in its focus on precision medicine in both non-oncology clinical areas and oncology through highly innovative Research Project Leader initiatives. The program places a strong emphasis on career development for clinician-scientists and serves as a launchpad for transition to research independence.

Applicants must propose pilot research project that aligns with the scientific theme of KIPM and demonstrates substantial use of one or more KIPM Core Services.

Eligible applicants must:

• Hold the rank of Assistant Professor
• Meet the NIH Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) criteria at the time of application
• Not hold any IDeA award concurrently with a KIPM Pilot Project appointment

All applications must be prepared in general accordance with NIH PHS 398 application guidelines.

Review Criteria

Pilot Project applications will be evaluated using standard NIH peer review criteria (see:http://grants.nih.gov/grants/peer/peer.htm) and the following KIPM-specific criteria:

• Strength and scientific merit of the proposed research
• Clarity and quality of the application
• Likelihood of generating competitive future funding (e.g., R21, R01)
• Probability of achieving publishable results within the 12-month project period
• Relevance to the overarching theme of precision medicine
• Clear and detailed plan for use of one or more KIPM Core Services
• Background, experience, and career stage of the applicant
• Track record of prior research productivity, grant applications, and/or funding

Applications must be submitted via the designated submission link no later than 5:00 p.m. CDT on Friday, February 20, 2026. Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed.

For questions regarding the submission process, please contact Jessica Leib at jleib@kumc.edu.

Note: Please do not include any of the three KIPM COBRE PI/MPIs on the applications as co-investigators.

KIPM Cores and Resources Information

Applicants are required to discuss potential core use for their project with the leaders of the relevant Core(s) and available resources before developing their grant application. If one or more cores are not included, the application will not be considered for funding.

The Quantitative ‘OmiCs’ (QOC) Core will support the study design, sample processing and data analysis. The QOC staff will apply and develop innovative statistical and bioinformatics tools to assist investigators in addressing precision medicine needs across a diverse range of human diseases. The long-term objective of the QOC is to build and maintain an infrastructure that enables the application of rigorous biostatistics and bioinformatics analyses with a measurable impact on the ability of COBRE investigators to both publish their work and compete for R01-type funding (Drs. Devin Koestler (contact - dkoestler@kumc.edu) and Jeff Thompson).

The BioBanking and Biomarker Validation (BBV) Core will support the KIPM investigators by providing patient specimens (serum, plasma, tissue, etc.) and analysis platforms to verify novel signaling pathways and identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, risk of disease progression or drug response that could be used in future clinical studies. Over the past 6 years of the COBRE grant, the KIPM was able to obtain equipment and personnel to support digital spatial profiling for transcriptomic and proteomic analysis (Nanostring’s GeoMx DSP platform), automated single-cell protein-based immune profiling (Isoplexis’ Isospark instrument), digital pathology using a high-throughput bright-field and immunofluorescence 100-slide capacity imaging platform (Zeiss’ Axioscan 7 microscope), and capillary western blot analysis (Protein Simple’s Jess instrument). These platforms have expanded the repertoire of services available through the BBV Core for analysis of protein- and nucleic acid-based biomarker studies to support Core users (Drs. Harsh Pathak (primary contact - hpathak@kumc.edu), Stephen Hyter, and Andrew Godwin).

The Biomedical Engineering (BME) Core will support KIPM investigators by delivering innovative tools and the accompanying assays to assist researchers in their projects, especially those engaged in liquid biopsy biomarker analysis. Many of these tools are based on the use of microfluidics, which is a burgeoning area within the biomedical community and offers some unique opportunities. We can serve in several capacities, such as guiding those interested in unique tools for biological discovery and/or translational studies that are not accessible commercially. We also have standard assays and the associated microfluidic chips for the highly efficient isolation of rare biological cells, cell-free DNA, and extracellular vesicles from a variety of clinical sample types and can support the most demanding clinical studies (Drs. Maggie Witek (contact - mwitek@ku.edu) and Steven Soper).

The Patient and Community Engagement (PACE) resource will provide engagement guidance to the KIPM investigators to ensure patient input, collaboration, and participation. Patient engagement methods and approaches have grown exponentially over the past decade, but patient engagement strategies in the context of precision medicine are only now emerging and KIPM will have access to the PACE leadership and the advocacy panel to help guide their research (Ms. Cheryl Jernigan, Tonia Yelder & Hope Krebill (contact - hkrebill@kumc.edu).

General Terms and Conditions of KIPM Pilot Project Awards

1. Projects must make significant use of at least one Core Lab. Prospective applicants should consult with theappropriate Core Lab Director(s) before applying. A letter of support from the contact co-director of a given Core reflecting the feasibility of the proposed project is highly recommended.
2. Funds may be used for consumable supplies, services, or small laboratory hardware, but not for equipment (i.e.,items costing > $5,000). Personnel costs are allowed, with preference given to applications that name specific individuals who are eligible to work and ready to begin no later than September 23, 2025. Travel costs are limited to essential research-related travel. Tuition costs are allowable as per standard institutional policies.
3. Investigators who receive KIPM pilot project support are REQUIRED to participate in the Annual KIPM Advisory Committee meetings, as well as the monthly KIPM research seminar series, workshops, and other special activities organized or sponsored by the Center.
4. A 6-month and 12-month progress report is required from the KIPM Pilot Project Leader, for inclusion in the COBRE annual progress report to the NIGMS.
5. Junior faculty recipients must have a KIPM-approved Senior Faculty Mentor.
   • While the term Junior Faculty is not specifically defined in the RFA, the intent is that Junior Faculty members would meet the NIH Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) criteria. An ESI is an individual who has not served as PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award, such as an R01 or U01 and has completed theirterminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training within the past 10 years. See here for the ESI definition: https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/index.htm
6. The KIPM Director, Dr. Andrew K. Godwin may make term and budget adjustments in accordance with the intent ofKIPM’s Pilot Project program and NIH policies concerning scientific overlap of projects.
7. By accepting KIPM funds, awardees agree to comply with all requirements not already mentioned that may be imposed on KIPM by the NIGMS or other institutional authorities.

Application process

Applications must be prepared in general accordance with the NIH PHS 398 application guidelines. Applications that do not comply with these review guidelines will not be reviewed.

You are encouraged to obtain assistance from the appropriate Grant Services agency at KUMC

Include the following sections, in exactly this order, compiled into a single PDF:

1. Face page
2. Project Summary
3. Project Narrative
4. Detailed budget (Budget dates are April 1^st, 2026 – March 31st, 2027)
5. Budget justification (use continuation page)
6. NIH Biosketch of applicant
7. NIH Biosketch of a mentor (if applicable)
8. Other support (for applicant only)
9. Specific Aims (1 page) – maximum of 2 aims
10. Research Strategy (6 pages) – include reference to the rigor of prior research and rigor and reproducibility
11. Vertebrate Animals – include reference to sex as a biological variable
12. Bibliography – limited to 1 page; use complete citations with PMIDs in NIH style
13. Letters of support (encouraged)

Applicants must provide copies of all relevant compliance approvals (IACUC, IBC, IRB) within the application to expedite approval by the NIGMS.

Use an 11-point Arial font with one-half-inch (1/2") margins on all four sides. Figure legends in the research strategy may use the 8-point Arial font. Letters of support from the contact KIPM co-director that you will use are encouraged. It is also highly encouraged to discuss your project with the leaders of the PACE resource and provide a letter of support. Junior Investigators should provide a letter of support from their faculty mentor or department chair as appropriate.

Submit applications as a single PDF document labeled “PI LAST NAME” and “INSTITUTION”.

Submit applications no later than 5 pm CDT, February 20^th, 2026.

Eligible KIPM Pilot Project Program applications will be reviewed by March 2^nd, 2026, according to the COBRE-specific criteria described above.